servicing a mk5 1.4 golf

gooner99

Hi,

Think I'm going to take the plunge and service my car this time myself.So looking for some info and advice.

Car details are - 2004 Volkswagen GOLF MkV (1K1) 1.4 16V 1390cc. 75hp with 140k on the clock. Timing kit done at 120k

Oil Change - I am going to order an oil extractor. Have Castrol Edge 5W-30 ordered from Amazon at a good price. What brand(s) oil filter should I be looking to buy or does it really matter that much. Anyone recommend a tool to remove this type filter?

Air Filter - Again what brands(s) should I go for or is it not much of an issue?

Plugs - What brand(s) should I look at (I guess brands are more important when it comes to spark plugs). Can you buy them already pre-gapped or must you do that yourself. What sort of tool do I need to remove them, is it a normal socket or a special removal tool?

Pollen Filter - I already did this myself a couple of months back.

Think that covers it. Any other advice you can give would be most welcome.

Thanks.

biko

Is the oil filter located on top of the engine in these or underneath?
If underneath you may as well jack the car up and drain the usual way.

gooner99

biko wrote: »

Is the oil filter located on top of the engine in these or underneath?
If underneath you may as well jack the car up and drain the usual way.

I think it's on the front. But will take a second look to see.

biko

About the filters, I like Mann which you can get on micksgarage.
Other may have other preferences.

Ask dealer for prices on those, you might get filters there at similar price as micks (maybe...)

BillJ

Regarding the oil filter removal tool, I would go for the cup type tool. I got a different one, kind of like three moveable prongs and I didn't find it great

Bejubby

More advise,check over all of the car, because its the only check a car gets every year or so which would be done by your local mechanic who knows the ins and outs.

gooner99

biko wrote: »

About the filters, I like Mann which you can get on micksgarage.
Other may have other preferences.

Ask dealer for prices on those, you might get filters there at similar price as micks (maybe...)

Yes heard of Mann alright.I've bought some bits from micksgarage, no issues and fast delivery. Might give the dealer a buzz. Only problem is they are 50 mile away so factor in petrol and they will surely be dearer.

gooner99

BillJ wrote: »

Regarding the oil filter removal tool, I would go for the cup type tool. I got a different one, kind of like three moveable prongs and I didn't find it great

I've seen pics of both types.I think I can get the cup type for vw in halfords.

gooner99

Bejubby wrote: »

More advise,check over all of the car, because its the only check a car gets every year or so which would be done by your local mechanic who knows the ins and outs.

What should a novice be looking for, or should I forget my plan and just bring it to the garage instead?

BTW it's had the brakes done recently, new disks and pads.

biko

gooner99 wrote: »

What should a novice be looking for, or should I forget my plan and just bring it to the garage instead?

No, this is your chance to join the DIY crowd
If you clean the car at a garage using a lance, spray the underside and the engine (not too close). Then just have a look at all components you can touch and see if they "look ok" or are cracked/broken/whatnot.
If anything looks odd take a snap and post here.

About the plugs. Skip them for now and focus on oil, imo.
They are accessible from up above so you can do them the weekend after.

BillJ

Great satisfaction after servicing your own car....you become 10% manlier afterwards

gooner99

biko wrote: »

No, this is your chance to join the DIY crowd
If you clean the car at a garage using a lance, spray the underside and the engine (not too close). Then just have a look at all components you can touch and see if they "look ok" or are cracked/broken/whatnot.
If anything looks odd take a snap and post here.

About the plugs. Skip them for now and focus on oil, imo.
They are accessible from up above so you can do them the weekend after.

Cheers for that.I'll give her a clean underneath.What tips should be followed when attempting to use the lance on the engine?

Yeah I suppose it can be done over a few weeks. Oil first, then plugs. Will I need a special tool for the plugs for removal and for gapping?

gooner99

BillJ wrote: »

Great satisfaction after servicing your own car....you become 10% manlier afterwards

I think it will be a good feeling to do it myself. Do you guys who do the basic service bring it to a garage to have it checked over for other things every Year and does the garage not seem keen on doing this when you don't get the car serviced with them?

visual

Instead of investing in oil extractor get axle stands or even ramps it will let you look under the car better.

Your going to be looking for leaks, rust ,perished or torn rubber boots and play in suspension steering components.

Axle stands are better than ramps as you can take off wheels to inspect brakes.

Other things you should be doing anyway at least every couple of weeks is checking all fluid levels.

Good garages do lots of visual checks and investigate anything that appear out of place usually giving their customer a quick estimate of additional work required.

Bad garages change oil filter with cheapest they can get and only check they do is counting the money charged.

One thing you should realise is what needs to be changed and when. Most cars have a maintenance schedule example mught be
oil and filter 10k
Air filter 20k
spark plugs 60k
Timing belt 80k
Coolant every 5 years or 100k

You can usually find a maintenance schedule for your car on line.

Starting out DIYing oil, oil filter, air filter and as you become more familiar with your car and abilities you can move on more complex items.

Then your only using garage mechanic for timing belt and other jobs you either dont have tools or experience to undertake.

Everone has to start somewhere just realise your abilities and if in doubt seek mechanics advice.

jca

Just did mine today, Octavia tdi, very satisfying. My oil filter lives on top of the engine and needs a long series 32mm socket. The vacuum extractor makes it so easy. Have a look at the oil filter before you start the job to make sure you get the correct removal tool.

gooner99

visual wrote: »

Instead of investing in oil extractor get axle stands or even ramps it will let you look under the car better.

Your going to be looking for leaks, rust ,perished or torn rubber boots and play in suspension steering components.

Axle stands are better than ramps as you can take off wheels to inspect brakes.

Other things you should be doing anyway at least every couple of weeks is checking all fluid levels.

Good garages do lots of visual checks and investigate anything that appear out of place usually giving their customer a quick estimate of additional work required.

Bad garages change oil filter with cheapest they can get and only check they do is counting the money charged.

One thing you should realise is what needs to be changed and when. Most cars have a maintenance schedule example mught be
oil and filter 10k
Air filter 20k
spark plugs 60k
Timing belt 80k
Coolant every 5 years or 100k

You can usually find a maintenance schedule for your car on line.

Starting out DIYing oil, oil filter, air filter and as you become more familiar with your car and abilities you can move on more complex items.

Then your only using garage mechanic for timing belt and other jobs you either dont have tools or experience to undertake.

Everone has to start somewhere just realise your abilities and if in doubt seek mechanics advice.

Cheers must have a search for the service schedule. I thought that plugs would be every 10k miles. The garage I used did plugs and air filter same time as each oil change which is recommended as every 10k for that engine. Haynes manual might be a good idea to get?

I guess from next year on the NCT will be a safety net for checks as it will need yearly NCT.

gooner99

jca wrote: »

Just did mine today, Octavia tdi, very satisfying. My oil filter lives on top of the engine and needs a long series 32mm socket. The vacuum extractor makes it so easy. Have a look at the oil filter before you start the job to make sure you get the correct removal tool.

Do you plan to do some more bits yourself?

jca

gooner99 wrote: »

Do you plan to do some more bits yourself?

No not really. I spent too much time lying under cars in all weathers. I'm only interested in the easy jobs now. I use a guy who's a vw mechanic and does nixers in the evenings. He did the pads the timing belt and the wishbone bushes for me.

gooner99

jca wrote: »

No not really. I spent too much time lying under cars in all weathers. I'm only interested in the easy jobs now. I use a guy who's a vw mechanic and does nixers in the evenings. He did the pads the timing belt and the wishbone bushes for me.

I'll probably stick to the basics. So I'll start with oil and filters and then see if i can manage the plugs.