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How to service your car

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Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,559 ✭✭✭Tipsy Mac


    conlonbmw wrote: »
    Just bring your car to a garage and ask for a moisture test, brake fluid is good for 4 years + now.

    Is there any test an ordinary person can do to test it, ie paper stips to dip in and get a result or chemical test?


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,668 ✭✭✭eringobragh


    Tipsy Mac wrote: »
    Is there any test an ordinary person can do to test it, ie paper stips to dip in and get a result or chemical test?

    Never used one but loks promising handy thing to have:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Brake-Fluid-Moisture-Tester-Portable-Electronic-Tool_W0QQitemZ370155529748QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Car_Parts_Accessories?hash=item370155529748&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,668 ✭✭✭eringobragh


    Tipsy Mac wrote: »
    Cheers I will keep my eye out for something like that.

    Let us know how u get on ;)


  • Registered Users Posts: 9,662 ✭✭✭Voodoomelon


    conlonbmw wrote: »
    Just bring your car to a garage and ask for a moisture test, brake fluid is good for 4 years + now.

    I wouldn't wait four years to change it, it should be done every 2 years. I saw two year old brake fluid and it was rank.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭mick.fr


    Nice one, just a shame there is no explanation whatsoever with the pics :confused:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭mick.fr


    conlonbmw wrote: »
    Just bring your car to a garage and ask for a moisture test, brake fluid is good for 4 years + now.

    I am afraid this is widely optimistic
    http://www.bmw-planet.com/?p=214


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 187 ✭✭conlonbmw


    I wouldn't wait four years to change it, it should be done every 2 years. I saw two year old brake fluid and it was rank.

    It may be rank, but a garage will only change it if it needs to be changed.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭mick.fr


    conlonbmw wrote: »
    It may be rank, but a garage will only change it if it needs to be changed.

    Sure that is what garages do :-)

    Anyway I am a freak and do preventive maintenance and I do fluids, sparks, filters regularly and I do not follow manufacturer recommendations since they are misleading.


  • Registered Users Posts: 991 ✭✭✭tm2204


    Is the brake fluid easy to replace? Is there a single bleed point on the reservoir or do you bleed at the individual brake assemblies?

    Cheers.
    :D


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  • Registered Users Posts: 76 ✭✭canon5571


    Great info here on this thread. My query may be in the wrong thread but I have a 79' MK2 ford escort with a 1600 x-flow engine. I am in the process of doing a basic service. Just on the spark plug issue, I got 4 NGK spark plugs in the autofactors. The Haynes manual says the gap should be adjusted to 0.6mm.Would a spark plug gap matter on this engine and if so, how do you gap them??


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,720 ✭✭✭Hal1


    Those NGK plugs are pregapped. If you are unsure you can use a 'feeler gauge' which checks the spacing between the plug and tip. Have a look here to see how its done.


  • Registered Users Posts: 9,316 ✭✭✭Mycroft H


    When refilling the engine with oil I fill it up half way and then run it for five minutes. This allows you to see if any leaks devolp in the filter or the sump plug. Then you can top it up until near full when the engine has cooled again.

    Do NOT OVERFILL the oil. It is almost as bad as having no oil in the engine at all.

    Another tip. When removing the sump plug remove it quickly cos if you dont, old oil will run up your sleeve.


  • Registered Users Posts: 9,662 ✭✭✭Voodoomelon


    tm2204 wrote: »
    Is the brake fluid easy to replace? Is there a single bleed point on the reservoir or do you bleed at the individual brake assemblies?

    Cheers.
    :D

    Easy as pie, just time consuming. You bleed each caliper at each wheel until the fluid runs clear, and you should start with the caliper furthest from the resevoir under the bonnet, ie, the wheel that is diagonally at the back from the resevoir at the front. You'll need a brake bleeding kit from the likes of Halfords for about €25 if you want to do it by yourself. The hardest part is getting the wheels off.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 111 ✭✭SilverHeron


    Did you use an angle grinder to cut the top off a 7-up bottle?.. . !


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,479 ✭✭✭Volvoboy


    Did you use an angle grinder to cut the top off a 7-up bottle?.. . !

    Yea couldnt find a blade, or sword. :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 991 ✭✭✭tm2204


    Easy as pie, just time consuming. You bleed each caliper at each wheel until the fluid runs clear, and you should start with the caliper furthest from the resevoir under the bonnet, ie, the wheel that is diagonally at the back from the resevoir at the front. You'll need a brake bleeding kit from the likes of Halfords for about €25 if you want to do it by yourself. The hardest part is getting the wheels off.

    My calipers have bleed valves on them that you just open to bleed. Whats this brake bleeding kit?

    Will bleeding all calipers empty the brake fluid reservoir and flush the system or do you need to do anything else?

    My car has ESP and ABS is there anything to factor in here due to these?

    Cheers,
    :D


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,720 ✭✭✭Hal1


    The brake bleeding kit is basically a bottle fitted with a manual pump and a tube that goes down inside the bottle, tube end is placed over the bleed nipple.

    You should put some brake fluid inside the bottle, so tube is submerged and no air can enter back into the system while bleeding your brakes. You start with the side furthest away from the drivers side.

    Two man job btw, each time the brake is pumped up, and you quater turn the bleed nipple allowing fluid to enter bleedin bottle and then close the bleed nipple each time until no air bubbles are visable and fluid runs clear, also keep the brake fluid resevoir topped up cause air can enter there also. Hope this is clear enough for you to understand, I only learned to do this myself a few weeks ago, thanks to the guys advise on here. There are plenty vids on the inet illustrating this proceedure. :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 9,662 ✭✭✭Voodoomelon


    You don't need to pump the brake pedal if you use a bleeding kit that attaches to a spare wheel as a source of air. You simply connect the whole lot up, open a caliper valve and let the resevoir empty to about a quarter of its capacity.

    You then fill the bleed kit bottle with new brake fluid and start the bleeding process. The pressure from the air in the spare wheel forces the old fluid out of each line and sucks in the new fluid. You just sit back and watch it do it by itself.

    All you have to do is open and close each caliper and keep the bottle topped up. Nothing to it. However its important to make sure there's no air in the lines.

    And you can bleed cars with ABS and ESP no problem, they're simply electronic systems that have little to do with the hydraulics of the brakes.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,056 ✭✭✭IK09


    nice one volvoboy. slick savings


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  • Registered Users Posts: 4,924 ✭✭✭Raiser


    Where's good for buying tools and stuff online?

    Current shopping list is:

    Brake Caliper Wind Back Tool Kit - Like the Draper one here http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=15478

    ShowImage.aspx?Type=3&File=DRA33606.jpg&Man=DRA&Size=200&Save=18

    A decent oil filter tool - have strap one and its a curse - Anyone recommend the best type? Is the below a good all rounder?

    media.nl;jsessionid=0a01054f1f43837f106970bd458283519f9424d1863a.e3eTaxiNaN0Te34Pa38Ta38Oahf0?id=1116&c=317638&h=a4647b2498ccdb079ac5&resizeid=-1&resizeh=150&resizew=150

    Also want to replace my brake fluid - so looking for recommendations for a decent kit - spare tyre one sounds ideal as have no helperer.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,559 ✭✭✭Tipsy Mac


    Raiser wrote: »

    A decent oil filter tool - have strap one and its a curse - Anyone recommend the best type? Is the below a good all rounder?

    Really depends on where your oil filter is located, each one has it's own benefits.


  • Registered Users Posts: 38,247 ✭✭✭✭Guy:Incognito


    I got one of these in Halfords (shock horror :)) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAR-VAN-BIKE-OIL-FILTER-REMOVER-WRENCH-REMOVAL-TOOL_W0QQitemZ280323456107QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item280323456107&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

    Its a bit different (round , grooved prongs) ,gets in to tight spots and hasnt let me down yet. Just connect it to your ratchet and away you go, the harder you turn the tighterit grips.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,924 ✭✭✭Raiser


    Thanks folks - will check it out......

    Other than that if anyone recommends any online Tool Suppliers who'll ship to Ireland reasonably then please let me know :D


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,570 ✭✭✭rebel.ranter


    ..... a bleeding kit that attaches to a spare wheel as a source of air......
    ........However its important to make sure there's no air in the lines.

    Hi Voodoomelon I have bled brakes the old fashioned way many times. However is the comments you make here not contradictory? Air will cause the brake fluid to go off, surely providing air into the reservoir is not helping the fluid in there?

    I know you did not design or make the kit, not having a go at you or anything, just questioning the logic of such a tool.


  • Registered Users Posts: 622 ✭✭✭jimogr


    Basic question: For the oil change do you need to put the car on axle stands or similar?

    I've changed sparkes and coils myself but never did the oil because I assumed you'd need a lift so you can get under it - wouldn't trust a jack.

    Car's a focus


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,479 ✭✭✭Volvoboy


    jimogr wrote: »
    Basic question: For the oil change do you need to put the car on axle stands or similar?

    I've changed sparkes and coils myself but never did the oil because I assumed you'd need a lift so you can get under it - wouldn't trust a jack.

    Car's a focus

    You could get axle stands in your local motor factors (at most €50 for a set)

    The jack thats in the car wouldnt be the most safest option.


  • Registered Users Posts: 9,662 ✭✭✭Voodoomelon


    Hi Voodoomelon I have bled brakes the old fashioned way many times. However is the comments you make here not contradictory? Air will cause the brake fluid to go off, surely providing air into the reservoir is not helping the fluid in there?

    I know you did not design or make the kit, not having a go at you or anything, just questioning the logic of such a tool.

    Hi Rebel.
    The kit is designed to use air pressure to push down on the fluid thats in the resevoir, it doesn't actually introduce any air into the lines themselves. Think of it as normal atmospheric pressure pressing down on the resevoirs fluid, however many times more forceful.
    To inject air into the fluid, you would have to have a tube that actually enters the fluid in the resevoir. The kit I use creates a seal with the top of the resevoir and just compresses the fluid downwards, as opposed to actually introducing air into the fluid itself.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11,221 ✭✭✭✭ Fletcher Ugly Scout


    A bit of a stupid question, but where exactly would the oil filter be situated? I guess it's in the same general area on the majority of cars? I have a '01 Ford Focus.

    I have a pit in my garage I can use instead of jacks and whatnot.

    I am not due a service for another few thousand miles, but it would be nice to look at before that. Thanks volvoboy :)


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  • Registered Users Posts: 6,215 ✭✭✭Rowley Birkin QC


    Depends, is your car diesel or petrol?


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