Hobby Mechanics - Manace or not?
Discussion
After dealing with the utter incompetent and unskilled set of bodge artists at my local BMW dealer, I wouldn't trust them with a fisher price toolkit to work on my car with, never mind a proper tool set.
I am a hobby mechanic and some people I have met are extremely competent at fixing cars and turning their hand to any job on a car and they do a good job of it as well. As long as people can accept their own limits and know when to give a car to a garage to get fixed, I don't see a problem with hobby mechanics.
The main problem is when people get way out of their depths and cock up the repair more and more until they do terminal or bodge repairs just to get the job finished, those are the menaces, the few ruining it for the many...
I am a hobby mechanic and some people I have met are extremely competent at fixing cars and turning their hand to any job on a car and they do a good job of it as well. As long as people can accept their own limits and know when to give a car to a garage to get fixed, I don't see a problem with hobby mechanics.
The main problem is when people get way out of their depths and cock up the repair more and more until they do terminal or bodge repairs just to get the job finished, those are the menaces, the few ruining it for the many...
Home mechanics are seemingly less and less common these days, home bodgers even more rare.
A far bigger issue and risk to us all are those that take no interest and run around on either bald tyres, under inflated tyres, worn out brakes or knackered suspension. Having worked in the trade you see a scary amount of dangerous neglect, cant remember the last time I saw a dangerous bodge!
A far bigger issue and risk to us all are those that take no interest and run around on either bald tyres, under inflated tyres, worn out brakes or knackered suspension. Having worked in the trade you see a scary amount of dangerous neglect, cant remember the last time I saw a dangerous bodge!
The mechanic doesn't know what he is talking about
The electrical safety regulation are about compliance with building regs, not about the standard of work it's self
it's perfectly legal for a diy electrician to do any kind of electrical work at his home, but he is required to notify building control if he plans to do any notifiable work, and they may choose to inspect it for compliance with building regs.
changing of like for like parts is never notifiable, so anyone can change a light bulb, or indeed a light fitting or a plug socket anywhere, it is only if they plan to install a new one somewhere that under some circumstances they may be required to give notice, for example if the work is outside, or in a bathroom.
If you applied the same principles for car mechanics a diy mechanic could do anything provided it wasn't a major modification without needing to tell anyone or have it inspected, to a certain extent that is already what we have with iva for radically altered vehicles.
On top of that we also have the MOT which is for all vehicles regardless of who's worked on them, you don't have that with building control.
I've done my fair share of diy mishaps on cars, but i can't think of any that has put anyone else in danger.
unlike a mechanic who failed to complete a repair properly on my suspension letting my wheel collapse into the wheel well at 70mph on a dual carriageway 3 days after he had completed the work.
The electrical safety regulation are about compliance with building regs, not about the standard of work it's self
it's perfectly legal for a diy electrician to do any kind of electrical work at his home, but he is required to notify building control if he plans to do any notifiable work, and they may choose to inspect it for compliance with building regs.
changing of like for like parts is never notifiable, so anyone can change a light bulb, or indeed a light fitting or a plug socket anywhere, it is only if they plan to install a new one somewhere that under some circumstances they may be required to give notice, for example if the work is outside, or in a bathroom.
If you applied the same principles for car mechanics a diy mechanic could do anything provided it wasn't a major modification without needing to tell anyone or have it inspected, to a certain extent that is already what we have with iva for radically altered vehicles.
On top of that we also have the MOT which is for all vehicles regardless of who's worked on them, you don't have that with building control.
I've done my fair share of diy mishaps on cars, but i can't think of any that has put anyone else in danger.
unlike a mechanic who failed to complete a repair properly on my suspension letting my wheel collapse into the wheel well at 70mph on a dual carriageway 3 days after he had completed the work.
The main drawback with DIY is that there is more scope for those whose priority is to save money by re using or trying to save old parts that a garage would throw away.In general so long as the DIY approach is done on a money no object basis,of replacing worn out parts with new,preferably original main dealer stocks,or the well known established after market tuners components,there's no reason why a DIY job should be to any less of a standard than professional.With some exceptions involving specialist tooling and precision engineering set up.
XJ Flyer said:
The main drawback with DIY is that there is more scope for those whose priority is to save money by re using or trying to save old parts that a garage would throw away.In general so long as the DIY approach is done on a money no object basis,of replacing worn out parts with new,preferably original main dealer stocks,or the well known established after market tuners components,there's no reason why a DIY job should be to any less of a standard than professional.With some exceptions involving specialist tooling and precision engineering set up.
Agree on the scrimping bit. Motivation for home stuff firstly should be to do it better, i.e. being able to clean things, repair/replace other bits as you go and so on. The savings in hourly rates are enough.Carrot said:
VinceFox said:
Most of the stuff i've learnt to do on cars and bikes over the last 25-30 years has been because i've not been satisfied with the quality of work done by garage mechanics.
Spot on
Something I've noticed after moving to the city is how people are more concerned about getting "a professional" or someone "qualified" to do things. The viewpoint of having your own profession, and that's only what you do, and you don't know anything about or can do anything else.
To date, I've found this with car and home maintenance/repairs, having mice removed, and putting out small fires.
To date, I've found this with car and home maintenance/repairs, having mice removed, and putting out small fires.
kambites said:
J4CKO said:
kambites said:
If you're remotely competent, do it yourself with better than (but almost certainly cheaper than) OEM. Changing brakes is trivial on most cars.
Yeah, its low end stuff, I prefer doing my own as I take time to clean, inspect and generally give the job some love, it isnt brain surgery.The clever bit with cars is the design side, most people who work on them arent that far ahead of asome of the hobbyists, that said, there are many true artists out there, they are the ones that make you feel humble when you see them work, not always doing it for a living either, Retro Rides is a good source for inspiration, few examples in readers rides as well.
My old fella is a time served engineer, he has 50 years experience working on cars and many other vehicles, he has a finesse with mechanical things that most people dont, he still works in engineering and it is him I try to be like, it isnt just brute force with cars, it is appropriate force, applied correctly,cars, despite what people think are precision devices.
I have found utterly retarded things done by both amateurs and alleged professionals.
I hate the pros more because they were paid to do it and if they didn't know what they were doing they shouldn't have taken the job on.
However the worst cars I've bought were from single model forums where members encourage each other to perform mods - many haven't got a clue - one I bought (because it was cheap and I was going to break it)
Rollcage wasn't actually attached to the car
Overheated on the way home - faulty rad cap
Detonated - poor fuel control
Various electronics were scotch locked or wires twisted together with sellotape over them etc
I hate the pros more because they were paid to do it and if they didn't know what they were doing they shouldn't have taken the job on.
However the worst cars I've bought were from single model forums where members encourage each other to perform mods - many haven't got a clue - one I bought (because it was cheap and I was going to break it)
Rollcage wasn't actually attached to the car
Overheated on the way home - faulty rad cap
Detonated - poor fuel control
Various electronics were scotch locked or wires twisted together with sellotape over them etc
As a mechanic myself I can see both sides. The one side I see is when people try to work on there own cars where they haven't got a clue on what to do then comes to us and we got to spend looking sorting their f
k up on top of fixing the original problem.
That's what he is on about but as I fix my own car there plenty of hobby mechanic better than some so called trained mechanics so I can see both sides.
Outside of britian very few people actually work on there own cars and the future looks like less people will due to ever increasing technology in new cars specially coming into euro 6 regs.
k up on top of fixing the original problem. That's what he is on about but as I fix my own car there plenty of hobby mechanic better than some so called trained mechanics so I can see both sides.
Outside of britian very few people actually work on there own cars and the future looks like less people will due to ever increasing technology in new cars specially coming into euro 6 regs.
MG CHRIS said:
As a mechanic myself I can see both sides. The one side I see is when people try to work on there own cars where they haven't got a clue on what to do then comes to us and we got to spend looking sorting their fk up on top of fixing the original problem.
That's what he is on about but as I fix my own car there plenty of hobby mechanic better than some so called trained mechanics so I can see both sides.
Outside of britian very few people actually work on there own cars and the future looks like less people will due to ever increasing technology in new cars specially coming into euro 6 regs.
But surely you are charging for the time of fixing the original feck up, and fixing the fault. So it's a win win, no?k up on top of fixing the original problem. That's what he is on about but as I fix my own car there plenty of hobby mechanic better than some so called trained mechanics so I can see both sides.
Outside of britian very few people actually work on there own cars and the future looks like less people will due to ever increasing technology in new cars specially coming into euro 6 regs.
I spent this morning servicing both our daily smokers, changed the filters, plugs, oil etc. Dismantled all the brakes, cleaned and deglazed the pads and discs etc. and fitted a pair of CV gaitors to the daughters Micra. (Proper ones that require removing and splitting the driveshafts.)
All threads and mating surfaces nicely copperslipped and everything cleaned and torqued back up.
Went round and under both cars looking for issues with a fine toothed comb ~ found a couple of things that need doing ~ fan belts cracking and a dose of cavity wax required in places. Again cheap and easily done at home at some point soon.
Nothing remotely difficult requiring only a few basic tools, a torque wrench and a vice.
An enjoyable morning in the sun spannering, tea and bacon rolls supplied my Mrs B with AC/DC Live at River Plate blasting out at reasonable volume. What's not to like?
Total cost £65. Probly saved £300 on garage labour.
All threads and mating surfaces nicely copperslipped and everything cleaned and torqued back up.
Went round and under both cars looking for issues with a fine toothed comb ~ found a couple of things that need doing ~ fan belts cracking and a dose of cavity wax required in places. Again cheap and easily done at home at some point soon.
Nothing remotely difficult requiring only a few basic tools, a torque wrench and a vice.
An enjoyable morning in the sun spannering, tea and bacon rolls supplied my Mrs B with AC/DC Live at River Plate blasting out at reasonable volume. What's not to like?
Total cost £65. Probly saved £300 on garage labour.
Hammer67 said:
I spent this morning servicing both our daily smokers, changed the filters, plugs, oil etc. Dismantled all the brakes, cleaned and deglazed the pads and discs etc. and fitted a pair of CV gaitors to the daughters Micra. (Proper ones that require removing and splitting the driveshafts.)
All threads and mating surfaces nicely copperslipped and everything cleaned and torqued back up.
Went round and under both cars looking for issues with a fine toothed comb ~ found a couple of things that need doing ~ fan belts cracking and a dose of cavity wax required in places. Again cheap and easily done at home at some point soon.
Nothing remotely difficult requiring only a few basic tools, a torque wrench and a vice.
An enjoyable morning in the sun spannering, tea and bacon rolls supplied my Mrs B with AC/DC Live at River Plate blasting out at reasonable volume. What's not to like?
Total cost £65. Probly saved £300 on garage labour.
Spot on.All threads and mating surfaces nicely copperslipped and everything cleaned and torqued back up.
Went round and under both cars looking for issues with a fine toothed comb ~ found a couple of things that need doing ~ fan belts cracking and a dose of cavity wax required in places. Again cheap and easily done at home at some point soon.
Nothing remotely difficult requiring only a few basic tools, a torque wrench and a vice.
An enjoyable morning in the sun spannering, tea and bacon rolls supplied my Mrs B with AC/DC Live at River Plate blasting out at reasonable volume. What's not to like?
Total cost £65. Probly saved £300 on garage labour.
Gixer said:
I've always maintained all my cars and motorcycles apart from when they were in their warranty period. Going by the issues I had when these vehicles were worked on by main dealers, I will always work on my own cars, just so I know that the job has been done properly and that I'm not another job card that's running out of time.
Same problem here. I've had a mechanic fail to do up suspension parts properly due to relying on a impact wrench and the bolt turning. Not fitting plastic protection shields back in place and alternator getting contaminated and failing. None of the 3 garages I used could even locate the engine under tray correct way. Bolt missing from cam belt cover and what could be a bell-housing bolt found resting in corner of a front panel.
There will be hobby mechanics out there who take their time and read documentation, and be far better than many garage workers.
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