Is it worth it at all - or does a professional need to look at it?
Does Anybody Here Do Their Own Car Service?
BargainHunterJohnnyB on 12/10/2024 - 20:01
Last edited 17/10/2024 - 10:11 by 1 other user
Last edited 17/10/2024 - 10:11 by 1 other user
Comments
Where is THE POLL?
Why are you asking bargaino?
There's no poll, just like there's no relevance in your comments!
some people just like poll dancing …
Cars still need these standard services done. But with ECUs running the show they can compensate for minor issues to the point of check engine light lights up on the dash.
Services are still the same although have a laptop into the ECU to run diagnostics is the only additional factor, which to me is making the so called mechanic just a glorified laboror to a ECU.
I use to do all my services on my old cars but as time goes one, and with my current car, even though I service it, I still need to take it to amech to get the service indicator reset.
I just googled service reminder reset for my VW and learned I can do it at home without an OBDII device.
Yeah oil change is pretty simple
I did tractor recently and atv
Car I hate though… pain in the ass to get underneath
I got some ramps from Repco or somewhere. Makes it easy.
Ramps dont really help with my old navara. Filter's just in a scummy spot.
Sometimes designers hate mechanics I guess.
Same with 1999 Pulsar
Is down between the firewall and the engine.What is it with Nissan????
@HeWhoKnows: Metro is also located there. Stuff a rag under filter, wear an already grubby glove and spin quickly. If it dribbles over the glove, turn glove inside out whilst walking to bin with filter in hand. The glove ends up being inside out and containing the filter
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@HeWhoKnows: Had two of those Pulsars, but yer you are right the filter change was a bitch. Needed a flexible joint on socket set into adjustable filter wrench. Still, you lose skin every time.
Now have an Impreza and the filter is up front on top. Super easy.
@rentonc: I actually found it pretty easy on my n16 which is the same. Didn't even have to get under the car, just reach arm down and around the engine block, screw off using hand. Just gotta make sure you don't overtighten it to make next time easy as well!
We've got 3 cars in our family and only the ancient Holden Rodeo can get up ramps. The other two are fairly normal cars but the front bumper would get ripped off if we went up the ramps. Jack and axle stands only takes a couple of minutes, but it's certainly less convenient.
Why not build a pit or buy a lift?
During covid I bought an oil extractor to do at-home oil changes. No getting under the vehicle and dealing with the mess. Means I can do an oil and filter change in 10 mins and around $50 for full synthetic oil and brand name filter.
How do u check your oil pick up filter?
Which one did you buy?
EWK brand from Amazon. 6.5 litres which works well for the volume I need to extract. Amazon has similar ones from other brands ranging from about $80 up.
@knasty: How much did you pay for the EWK?
They are $260 on Amazon.
Or I could pay $57 for https://www.amazon.com.au/EXTRACTOR-WASTE-VACUUM-TRANSFER-SU… I'm sure no where as good but hopefully still gets the job done.
My car, no. Wife's car, yes, because it's a beater.
Depends on the make & age of your car and whether it's still under warranty
Yep 100% correct!
Also depends on warranty as well , unless your a certified mechanic , warranty might be voided if work is carried out by a backyard job.
Correct me if I'm wrong , genuine parts can be another issue as well .While in warranty? No. Once older? Yes, but in NSW so get annual inspections to check other stuff and im a reasonablly mechanically minded person and can feel when something else is wrong - that i can probably fix if i can be bothered.
If youve no clue and dont live where there is an annual inspection, get a mechanic to do every second or third service to cast their experienced eye over it for other issues.
Most engine oil changes are easy. If you intend to change the diff oil if you have a rear dive vehicle, always crack the fill plug before the drain plug.
Awesome
adviseadvice. You can't be too certain. Same goes for most manual gearboxes as well.
i service myself every night, thank you very much for asking.
What grade lube do you use?
Depends:
- 0w20 when I want it quick because it’s close to naked- 85w140 when I want to last longer because of the heavy cushioning
alas, professional services are better but much too expensive, so i have to settle with DIY
It's good to get hands-on experience.
Up until the new car (Rav), yes. Still do on all the others. Kinda have to on Hilux, Landcruiser etc
I used to but then I found great guy near by. Why bother when it's all done for $120.
:
If it has to be done right then you have to do it.That is dirt cheap!
I did every second oil change on my Hyundai i30 after it went out of warranty. Still took it back to the dealer every 30k km for them to check over everything, do software updates, etc. It's a bit of a hassle but I liked doing it.
I looked at what the dealer had to do on my vehicle, and if it was a simple oil change and inspection then I did it. Anything more complex like changing radiator fluid went to a mechanic.
changing radiator fluid
Isn't this arguably easier?
Pop off the drain plug of radiator and drain, and refill same amount back of new coolant into radiator. Drain and refill
Don't forget you need to bleed the air out
Yeo of course, but that's easy too… Just basically start the car with the coolant cap off, and keep refilling it as it bubbles until it bubbles no more and the fans have ran / are running.
I checked my car and it doesn't have a convenient drain plug. Need to pump out the fluid and pump in the new one. And bleed out the air, as the comment above suggests. It's more difficult than changing the oil.
You forgot flushing which is important, and it's essential if changing brands.
There are also some cars that require a plug (or two) on the block that need to be removed in order to fully drain and often in hard to find/reach/undo
.No mechanics are draining from the block or flushing anything unfortunately.
As soon as my ute went past its warranty mileage age I started doing the services myself, no need to be spending the extra money for a service I can do when there is no warranty anymore. For me that started as the car got to 5 years old, now with longer warranties I would suggest having it do by a shop to maintain the warranty until that date has come and gone.
Yes.
I do my own service: engine oil and filter
I also do the brakes and rotors when required, most cars these days make it virtually impossible to DIY unless you have a car hoist.E.g. doing the brakes myself costs < $100. Last time I got a quote from the dealer when car was new, they quoted $800
Our family car Mitsubishi Triton i get serviced professionally as we can sometimes do bigger one off trips in that car and family activities that vehicle is used for.
The Ford 2001 au ute i use to get to work ive done the services for the last 17 years. Tyres are the only professional envolvement. Huge service cost savings.
Hopefully i dont jinx myself by saying its bullet proof and simple to work on.The Audi tt roadster play toy the wife has claimed though i originally bought to flip ive done everything. Pain in the butt some of the little quirks these euro cars have and Audi Forums didnt help ended up VW german forums was best. Hate to think how much i might have spent getting a professional to diagnose the small gremlin faults. As it wasnt a daily driver no urgency to sort them out plus some pleasure in fixing it myself.
Have complete confidence i could drive to the other side of the country with the main 2 cars.
But the Audi TT roadster though ive had no problems since fixing it its the sunday drive with the top down car for my wifes (Feels like we should be having a late mid life crisis) we haven't done any huge trips in it. Tiny bit of doubt about reliability in the back of my mind with that car.
Servicing your car will definitely save money but i have heard of horror stories mechanics have had to fix because of diy servicing. Diy jobs where people buy things online but find they cant fit it themselves such as exhausts, winches aftermarket lights.
Tip buy the correct tools makes the job a lot easier and research before you start i have ramps but ive gotten lazy so i go to mums and use her car hoist.
Your mum hs a car hoist?
Is it worth it? Absolutely.
A professional doesn't need to perform the service, but depending on your knowledge, most logbook services include inspection of other areas such as condition of engine bay hoses, brakes, tyres, etc.
Yes all the cars I've had.
These days I generally buy low mileage cars and sell them at around 150,000km I do the basics of Wipers, oils, and all filters regularly, and Battery, Brakes and Spark plugs as needed.
In the past cars were less reliable and required much more maintenance, replacing Welsh plugs, gaskets, bushes, hoses, dust boots, water pumps etc which I also did.
Yes, do all my own servicing. None of my cars are actually running tho as they all need a service…
No. Because if I paid myself my normal hourly rate for the time it takes me to service my car it works about the same as when I take it to a good mechanic.
Where do you get the money to pay yourself?
could be self employed etc
but for me, i got (profanity) loads of time i just spend watching youtube and (profanity) around anyway, so i take my sweet as time to do my car maintenance
It's how I figure out if it's worth doing something I don't enjoy myself.
If it's going to take me 4 hours and it'll cost me less than four hours of my post tax hourly rate I'd rather just go to work for four hours instead and pay somebody. If I had more free time it may be different but as it stands I have more than enough to do.
I've heard that reasoning many times and it kind of makes sense, but it also assumes you're left with enough "spare" cash to do it. If your pay is taken up by everything else you need to spend on, then farming jobs out to others is an unaffordable luxury.
@banana365: True, it depends on if you are time poor or cash poor. Plus when I worked it out in my case I came out ahead regardless. I could f about under my car for 4 hours plus have to go buy then store equipment I might use once a year or I could go do much easier work that's within my skillset for the same amount of time & have more money afterwards too.
It takes the mechanic an hour to do what takes me half a day.
That only makes financial sense if you're taking unpaid leave to service your car.
It can of course make personal sense if lying in front of the tv is worth more than lying under a car.
Yes, for cars which do not need maintenance done by a shop to maintain warranty.
I do oil and filter changes for the motorbike and multiple cars.
ATF fluid and rear shock changes for a Corolla. Quoted over $800. Used OEM Toyota parts, only came to $400 and did it in a couple of hours.
Track car…. do heaps more. But no warranty to worry about there.How do you get it to the track? Do you have a limited rego or use a trailer?
Beaver tail car trailer. Came with the track car conveniently.
I get the standard servicing done while under the warranty period. After that I do it myself replacing things as needed or as per the service manual. An oil change is pretty basic, quick, and I'd rather do it knowing it's done with care rather than pay someone $100 an hour to do it.
On cars outside warranty, yes
For cars under warranty no. For other cars, yes.
Even own a set of Quickjacks. Always document date, mileage, take photos and keep receipts for purchases of consumables, parts etc etc.
Yes I service myself daily.
If your car is out of warranty, then yes service it yourself. It's pretty easy, there's millions of youtubes devoted to this, and specific ones for your car if it's popular. While it's pretty easy, you want to be safe when you do it, know how to use a jack, never get under a car unless there's stands or ramps under it, chock wheels and do it on a flat surface etc. you need to back yourself a bit, as there is some risk, personal health and to the car if you do something stupid, but most interested, technically minded people can do it quite easily. It's always good if someone you know who knows what they are doing is with you the first time also to guide you, and remind you if you miss a step or are about to do something stupid.
I'm not a mechanic, but I'm interested and also technically minded, and I spent only parts and oil on my camry from about 8 years, and aside from rego and insurance I reckon I only spent about 1k and that included many oil and filter changes, a full timing kit/major service, and tyres (which are worth going to someone for as it doesn't really cost you more). I would thoroughly recommended it.Having said that, I've gone EV now, and there's no looking back, almost nothing to worry about for years and years. Petrol vehicles will now only be a hobby for me, which should make it even more enjoyable (hopefully)
Cannot back safety with jacks/ramps strongly enough! A guy up the street from me had his jacks fail and didn't have safety blocks in place - car fell and crushed him. He died on the side of a suburban street - devastating as it was so preventable with some precaution.
Install a Fumoto valve and never faff about undoing sump plugs again. Stick in a hose, flick the valve, drain into desired container. Done
Is this for oil changes?
I assume this would depend on your ride height. I considered installing a Fumoto valve as well, since oil changes are already quite a pain in the ass, but my car's suspension is Leb spec and I'm worried that concrete speed bumps would absolutely wreck the valve lol
Yeah, i usually stock up heaps on the engine oil when its half price, so my 6-9 months oil change would cost be about $50 with the oil and the filter.
Everyone here is all over the 5W30 bargains when they come up. We've a lot of home servicing guys here!
log books if its under warranty and change my own wipers for all cars regardless if under warranty or not, everything else let the dealer handle
new cars not really, but probably have to to maintain warranty. ymmv
if its an older japanese car, you can do it on your own. any other old car, i would take to a professional. or at least every other year. a lot of the time its just an oil change and check your fluid levels. probably will change your air filter too.
How do you enter the service intervals into log book? Do you find the resale value of your car plummets if you diy service?
I do my own servicing, but I've also made many mistakes and learnt a thing or two. Here's my advice:
- Shop servicing to maintain warranty is a no-brainer
- If the car is say <10yrs old a lot of potential buyers are very insistent on log book servicing; either out for trust, piece of mind or as a point to haggle on
- Noting the above, if you do service yourself, keep a thorough written record with date/mileage/serviced items to show you are diligent with self-services and keep yourself on track
- Engine oil/filters, air filter, cabin filter and windscreen wipers are easy and low risk
- Brake pads, coolant flush, spark plugs are doable with a little more effort and research and tools
- Do tyre rotations with your servicing
- What you save on servicing you will probably spend on tools (but you get to keep them)
- Anything with a turbo is sensitive to old oil
- Auto stores routinely have 30% off or more sales - time your purchases around these where possible
- A decent mechanic will check for perishing items that you may miss, particularly in steering/suspension - worn bushings, torn CV boots, leaks etc. So a periodic service and inspection by a professional is a good idea if you're keeping on top of the basics
- Forums and FB groups are very useful
- No lubricant or fluid is 'non-serviceable'. Often items are listed by the manufacturer as maintenance free or 'sealed for life', but this is really for the life of the warranty. A good example is transmission fluid - as you approach higher km look to forums for proactive maintenance, particularly on transmissions
- Beware YouTube videos for larger repair jobs - while many are very useful, they often trim out the parts where they got stuck, so just make sure you can reverse what you start in case you get in over your head
- Cars are heavy, ensure you take the right precautions to jack and support on level ground before touching anything
- Don't put yourself under time pressure if its something your not experienced with - allow a whole weekend, and have backup transportation
- Servicing yourself can be fun and satisfying. If you are interested in cars it adds another element to your ownership experience- Engine oil/filters, air filter, cabin filter and windscreen wipers are easy and low risk
I treat engine oil with highest respect because its bloody hard to clean up oil spill on even a sealed concrete floor. If your working outdoors, do your oil change on a calm day, the wind blows dripping oil. Wear your best attire so you can never wash off oil stain.
The cabin filter is the lowest risk but if it's moldy then it's mask up time.
Finally, when changing windscreen wipers, I recommend that you lay your car carpet over the windscreen to protect the wiper arm from smashing your windscreen.
I tried it once, but got stuck at where to purchase blinker fluid.
Where/how do you dispose of the old oil?
I change the oil, air filter, cabin filter myself for one of my cars as it's old and well out of warranty. The oil, oil filter, air filter, cabin filter change is the vast majority of the service.
The newer car under warranty goes to the dealer and I get a nice courtesy car.
It's a pain in the ass to take the old car to a workshop and pay $250-300 for a service. Take car to mechanic- get lift to station, go to work and vice versa.
I can change the oil within 60mins. 10 mins to grab tools and set up. 30mins or so to change the oil. 20 mins to clean up and pour oil into old bottles.
I get a mechanic to do anything brakes related (including fluids) or anything above my pay grade.
I grew up around truck drivers and did my own oil changes and servicing on my cars and motorbikes for decades
shortly before I sold my old car in retirement, a car service shop said their young workers had not been trained how to adjust carburettors so they had never seen them - so for me that was a sell signal.
in theory, computer-laden modern cars need very little maintenance, but if something breaks, it might cost $$$$ - years ago I laughed when I was told a broken door mirror a modern car might cost $500 - probably more like $1000 today.
so yeah you could probably save heaps if you can DIY - if you don't eff it up … !
We have 4 family cars and do everything ourselves.
From simple engine oil changes to engine rebuilds.It takes lots of time and storage space.
Surely it saves lots of $$$ but if that's the only reason I say it isn't worth it. The satisfaction from solving numerous challenges is what makes it worth.I service both our cars, even the one still under warranty. Had mechanics make too many mistakes to bother worrying about warranty.
MechanicsApprentice with rattle gun.
I had a family member take a car to one of those car servicing chain brands. Checked the invoice, he was charged $80 for the cabin air filter. I popped open the glove box and took it out to check. It was caked in dust and leaves, the filters manufacture date was 2018 so clearly it was not changed. A filter on sale at SCA/Repco/Autobarn is around $30 and takes not even a minute to do it yourself.
Quick tip, put an inconspicuous mark on filters and replaceable parts to see if it was actually changed. Take before and after photos so you can compare to see if they did the work they say they did.
Yes, I do everything someone would regard as 'servicing' myself, and then a bit more from that with repairs.
I started with doing an oil change many years ago, which became gearbox oil which became fuel filters (in tank), which became a timing belt etc etc. Having a proper workshop manual is handy as each car has its own little quirks.
About the only thing I will likely never do is pull apart an Auto (or DSG) gearbox.
I used to. JDM imports to Korean econoboxes. You need some tools and a mechanical aptitude relevant to the job you want to do. And good quality jack stands.. I've changed out various hydraulic components, brakes, timing gear, crank seals, water pump, exhaust parts, suspension, bearings, etc. I've never split a gearbox off a motor (and so paid out for clutch changes), and I paid someone to do a sensor in the valve body of an auto transmission I had.
I have EV's now, and the simple fact is the only servicing I've needed is basic stuff. But every 10k, I still check boots, bushings, and lower control arm bolts…
Do the regular car maintenance myself (engine oil, filters, etc).
Replaced the spark plugs myself also after the check engine light came on. $250 for 4x plugs & ignition coil vs $600 something probably for taking it to a mechanic. Plus you learn something too so next time you don't get taken for a ride
I was wondering what type of services, until seeing you had tagged this as "automotive".
Oh! Then still yes.
Back in the day, cars required far more regular maintenance. You had to adjust the spark-plug gap, check the timing, and so on. But modern cars really just need the oil and filter changed once in a while.
The coolant or diff oil are good for many years. Check the windscreen washer fluid and tyre pressure if they are not electronically monitored.
Mechanics will still try to scam you into regular servicing, even if you have an EV. Don't feel sorry for them.