Doing your own work.

[BUTCH1]

I don't trust half the schmucks doing those $20 oil changes. I doubt they care enough, heck some of them have been caught not even bothering to change the filter.

If I do it, I know it is done right. Plus, for how much I drive and how I want my vehicle to last, I don't use cheapo oil.

I let the dealer change my oil while the warranty was in force as already mentioned, you have proof you maintained the service schedule. They overfilled it by a Qt. once, brought it back to them, when I did my first change the drain-bolt was on so tight I had to put the car on stands and use a breaker-bar to loosen it!. Oil filter was the same, I think they had Magilla Gorilla working in the lube dept!. My brother had a change done at Jiffy lube, next morning he saw a puddle of oil all over his driveway, the bolt was on by 2 or 3 threads, thank god he didn't start it with an empty oil pan..

 

[hanoverphist]

I don't trust half the schmucks doing those $20 oil changes. I doubt they care enough, heck some of them have been caught not even bothering to change the filter.

last time i went to a jiffy lube, the guy changed my filter. because i was watching him in the pit. unfortunately, the filter wasnt tightened correctly, and 2 weeks later i was in there with no oil. they told me it was my main seal leaking out all over the block. when i left, i looked at that side of the engine and sure enough i had oil spray all over the bottom and side of the engine, trans and undercarriage. and a perfectly clean, dry oil filter. now, how did that happen? they "topped off" my oil for free (5.5 qts i saw go in, it holds 6) but said they left the filter alone. i checked the filter my self that time, and have not had a leak yet, even 8 or 9 changes later. i hate when those guys try to cover their mistakes. had another shop tell me i needed my injectors cleaned. offered me a discount price, and said it would be quick since the tech already had them pulled to check for breakage and wear. when i reminded him i had a carb and not FIE, he looked at me like i poked him in the throat. i stopped the work, stood there while they buttoned it back up and left.

 

[NutBucket]

LOLOLOL!!! That reminds of the time a shop was told me I needed to have my trans filter changed. I asked them to point out the filter on my 5-speed. Luckily I was only there for a smog check.

 

[jlee]

Changed the oil in the bike today (Valvoline 10w40 synthetic this time), and I'm doing rear diff and transaxle fluids in the Forester now. Motul Gear 300 in the back, and a cocktail of Motul and Redline Shockproof Lightweight in the trans.

LOLOLOL!!! That reminds of the time a shop was told me I needed to have my trans filter changed. I asked them to point out the filter on my 5-speed. Luckily I was only there for a smog check.

Heh...that'd be an interesting conversation.

 

[Zivic]

Changed the oil in the bike today (Valvoline 10w40 synthetic this time), and I'm doing rear diff and transaxle fluids in the Forester now. Motul Gear 300 in the back, and a cocktail of Motul and Redline Shockproof Lightweight in the trans.



Heh...that'd be an interesting conversation.

I had that shockproof in my evo. not sure the cocktail you are running, but it isn't mean to be in for long periods -> many run it for a single racing event or 3-5k mile intervals

 

[jlee]

I had that shockproof in my evo. not sure the cocktail you are running, but it isn't mean to be in for long periods -> many run it for a single racing event or 3-5k mile intervals

Forester guys seem to change it every year / 15k. I'll probably try Subaru Extra S after this and see how it is - has a fantastic reputation, but I already had a bunch of Redline.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Installed a 14T front sprocket on my bike today. I'd make a thread about it but half the f*cks here would piss and moan about me creating another bike thread. I'll just say that it was an enjoyable task and well worth the $36. Infinitely more rewarding than changing the oil in the cage...that's about as rewarding as mowing the lawn or taking out the trash.

 

[NutBucket]

Forester guys seem to change it every year / 15k. I'll probably try Subaru Extra S after this and see how it is - has a fantastic reputation, but I already had a bunch of Redline.

Redline in my Legacy made shifting terrible. Extra-S is definitely the way to go!

Oh, and yesterday's task was a timing belt replacement in our '02 WRX. We were planning on replacing the cam seals but we could break the cam gear bolts. My wife's uncle is/was a Subaru master tech and he was scratching his head at how tight the bolts were. In the end, we said screw it since they weren't leaking. That, and it turns out the belt was likely replaced in '05 when the previous owner bought it used at a Subaru dealer.

 

[jlee]

Redline in my Legacy made shifting terrible. Extra-S is definitely the way to go!

Oh, and yesterday's task was a timing belt replacement in our '02 WRX. We were planning on replacing the cam seals but we could break the cam gear bolts. My wife's uncle is/was a Subaru master tech and he was scratching his head at how tight the bolts were. In the end, we said screw it since they weren't leaking. That, and it turns out the belt was likely replaced in '05 when the previous owner bought it used at a Subaru dealer.

I didn't replace cam seals when I did my t-belt either.

Shifting doesn't seem to have gotten worse, but it's not really better either (wasn't bad before though). My front diff whine is gone, though. I'll find some Extra S and put that in..probably sooner than later, if it's really that much different. I imagine we probably have the same transmission.

 

[NutBucket]

Well, I sold the Legacy but still have an '05 which I'm running Extra-S in

 

[jlee]

Well, I sold the Legacy but still have an '05 which I'm running Extra-S in

lol, I see. Yeah I'll try that next time - this is working fine for now, though.

 

[NutBucket]

Ooops, that makes no sense. I meant that I still have an '05 WRX. And now I noticed that I seem to have created a slight coolant leak in the '02 as a result of yesterday's work. I'm hoping its just a worn out hose; already had to buy one radiator this year.....

 

[jlee]

Ooops, that makes no sense. I meant that I still have an '05 WRX. And now I noticed that I seem to have created a slight coolant leak in the '02 as a result of yesterday's work. I'm hoping its just a worn out hose; already had to buy one radiator this year.....

Did you replace the water pump? Thermostat and gasket?

 

[NutBucket]

Nope. Did it the lazy way. Only replaced the crank seal and the belt. Didn't even pull the radiator. Some of the hoses in the car look to be original. Pulling them off and putting them back on probably did them in.

 

[jlee]

Nope. Did it the lazy way. Only replaced the crank seal and the belt. Didn't even pull the radiator. Some of the hoses in the car look to be original. Pulling them off and putting them back on probably did them in.

Eh...hm. Yeah, I'd check any hose you pulled and see if they're cracked/leaking. I've read that the water pumps tend to fail somewhere between the first and second timing belt replacement, so I replaced mine while I had it all apart.

 

[Pinepig]

While this is true, I love buying tools and having a lift is usually a luxury. I say this now until I get old and arthritic

After getting a lift I will never ever work on my back again. F*** that noise.

I have bad knees at 44 ( really bad knees ) and just can't do it. I like to lower the car to the perfect height so I can work in my comfy chair ( VW MK3 bucket seat with castors welded to the bottom ), hell I have several different chairs so I always have the right one for the job.

I do tend to work on my cars ( toys ) quite a bit so it's important to enjoy doing it. I feel for the guys that do it for a living and can't afford to be a little slack with their time.

 

[SparkyJJO]

I would like to have a lift, but I think I need a garage first :hmm:

 

[Pinepig]

I would like to have a lift, but I think I need a garage first :hmm:

A garage is where you park cars, you need a shop for a lift.

 

[shortylickens]

A garage is where you park cars, you need a shop for a lift.

You didnt get it.
What he means is he doesnt even have a garage, and if comes down to spending money on one or the other, the choice is obvious.

 

[Ferzerp]

When I was younger I did engine swaps, transmission swaps, built a cat-back exhaust from pipe and a generic muffler to save a few hundred $ (with parental help). Did all my own oil changes, brake maintenance, etc.


Now I just pay someone.

 

[A5]

I don't do any work beyond changing non-HID lights and air filters. I don't have the time, tools, or desire to do anything beyond that.

I would probably change my own oil if I didn't just have to take it to a shop to dispose of it anyway, but at that point I may as well have them do it for me.

 

[pandemonium]

I love doing my own work since it's so rewarding, but as previously mentioned, the primary problems that deter me are: tool requirements, weather (I don't know anyone with a shop and do my work in the carport), and the fact that I only have one vehicle.

Having work done at any shop is difficult for me to justify since the cost is usually much more for anything beyond an oil change, but having that insurance if they mess something up it's on them is kinda nice. If I mess up...it's expensive as fock, lol. Luckily I'm a very patient person and take my time; reading several DIYs and forums about the current project to get as many angles on doing it right the first time. I'm so particular on everything that I constantly doubt the simplest of things, which can be stressful at times. >.<

This reminds me of the previous owner to my current vehicle that had an oil change done at Jiffy Lube where they overfilled it and it completely ruined the engine. Jiffy Lube had to front the bill to replace an engine with only 30k miles on it. Silly mistakes like that make you wary of using quick shops to get any work done since if they don't accept responsibility that's a huge burden to you.

I have a current dilemma that's driving me crazy, which I'm hoping to get some input on here as well as another forum. [Separate thread so this one isn't hijacked.]

 

[NutBucket]

Ah, the joys of doing your own work. Upper radiator hose was leaking on the radiator side. Tighten the clamp --> no leak. Now its leaking on the engine side. Time for a new hose Good thing its our extra car.

 

[7window]

Please do your own work or learn how to do it. Most mechanic take short cuts.

 

[T2urtle]

Ah, the joys of doing your own work. Upper radiator hose was leaking on the radiator side. Tighten the clamp --> no leak. Now its leaking on the engine side. Time for a new hose Good thing its our extra car.

lol. least it should be a quick and cheap fix. should be kinda messy, never was able to do anything with coolant with a clean floor

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