Nightmare Weekend.

[craigsup]

swisstoni said:

OP - People are just having a laugh, and have almost certainly made major cock ups of their own especially when starting out. There's some good advice here too.

Yeah, I know - I just feel some may be pushing it a bit too far. Anywhoo I'll definitely be taking the advise of ensuring I won't be needing the car in the near future when planning to do any work on it. Also making sure I have the correct part before I start will also come in handy!

[Faust66]

Given that you can re-build PCs etc. you should be fine when it comes to working on cars (what I mean is that if you're used to thinking your way around problems and issues - you'll find plenty of that when working on cars!!).

Ignore the flack you're getting and keeping having a go as it's the best way to learn…you'll make your share of mistakes: laugh it off and don't do it again. IMO the concept of working on your own car is slowly dying out, so don't let the weekend screw up put you off.

What really will help you is a mate who is knows his way around a socket set. If you can find someone to show you the ropes, you'll learn exponentially faster.

Failing that, when you are thinking about the next job you want to tackle, have a look online for how to guides or videos… makes it a lot easier to watch how a job is done or follow a step-by-step process. If you've not joined an owners club forum I'd really recommend it as you'll be able to tap into the collective knowledge, and if you get lucky there might be someone local who can help you out.

[jamieduff1981]

craigsup said:

Conscript said:

Depends on the car of course, but the difference between the min and max readings isn't always very much. Sometimes you can add a surprisingly small amount of oil and find the level returns to normal on the dipstick.

You're right - I added a very small amount yesterday and it went from just above min -> just below max.

As for people saying not to work on my own car without knowledge - how does anyone learn anything? You have to do things in order to learn. I guess some people don't care about learning though, they just want everything done for them.

For as easy a target as you'd be, I'll avoid the sarcasm and offer that novices are often fooled by residual oil in the dipstick tube during oil changes. You have to both give the oil you're adding some time to run down the return galleries from the cylinder head where it pools under the camshafts back down the block and into the sump, which can take a couple of minutes particularly if it's cold and/or the oil is thick. Secondly, the dipstick can need repeated pull/wipe repetitions to get a reading of the new sump level. The first few times it's often pulling up oil coating the inside of its own tube with surface tension which can look to the unwary like a full sump.

[Sump]

craigsup said:

Sump said:

Most people have a natural knack for things like DIY. But when it is taking 2 and half hours to change an air filter, you really have to question whether you have that knack for it or not.

So you're telling me that you've never done a task which has taken you significantly longer than you anticipated? You're an arrogant person if not. I had never looked beyond an oil cap prior to this weekend, so of course it's going to take me a long time to do things. Plus, my BMW needed many things removing in order to access the Air filter and then there were some tricky bolts to undo.

As the above poster stated, I am a software engineer. I can strip and build / alter a PC in half an hour, I can write a program to automate any process, I've coded a working sat nav. Just because you can do something straight away, does not mean a complete novice with no experience can do the same; stop being so short sighted.

Funny you say that, I first started out Diying on my E46 330d. Essentially the same air filter location, I did the air filter, oil filter, vortex breather, EGR clean in around 2 hours. Yes the air filter was quite tricky the first time with those allen bolts, but not 2 and half hours tricky.

My biggest question is, if you haven't even looked beyond an oil cap prior to this weekend, then WTF are you doing changing your brake pads on your own?

PS- Use realoem for your part numbers and buy based on part numbers, not on the registration given and pads offered.

[Steven_RW]

Sump said:

Most people have a natural knack for things like DIY. But when it is taking 2 and half hours to change an air filter, you really have to question whether you have that knack for it or not.

It took me 17 hours of messing about to remove the gearbox on my Mk4 Escort Rsturbo the first time (driveshaft belt driven ABS n all) and the final time it took me 13 minutes from car driven in to gearbox and clutch off and on the bench...

Nothing wrong with a learning curve.

Most of us manage to break the item the first time we remove it on a new car we are working on (or if still in our youth of car DIY) and learn better for next time.

Stick at it.

RW

[J4CKO]

craigsup said:

Sump said:

Most people have a natural knack for things like DIY. But when it is taking 2 and half hours to change an air filter, you really have to question whether you have that knack for it or not.

So you're telling me that you've never done a task which has taken you significantly longer than you anticipated? You're an arrogant person if not. I had never looked beyond an oil cap prior to this weekend, so of course it's going to take me a long time to do things. Plus, my BMW needed many things removing in order to access the Air filter and then there were some tricky bolts to undo.

As the above poster stated, I am a software engineer. I can strip and build / alter a PC in half an hour, I can write a program to automate any process, I've coded a working sat nav. Just because you can do something straight away, does not mean a complete novice with no experience can do the same; stop being so short sighted.

mate, if you can do that, servicing a car shouldn't be a problem, but that said, it can take time to learn.

I think the average person thinks mechanics are all brute force and ignorance, force is most certainly involved but it is all about the quantity and direction it is applied, its about finesse and realising just because something is under a car doesnt mean its not a precision engineered and set component. The term mechanic, to the public can mean a 18 year old tyre fitter or a time served craftsman with 50 years experience of masses of vehicles, a true artisan and master of his craft.

I think things are easier now, so much info on the web and you see what others have done, what can be done, dont be disheartened, do some other jobs to build confidence and experience, the same mindset can be used on pretty much anything that needs repairing, but ask advice and know when to defer to someone with more knowledge, like never work on you own gas boiler in the house and stuff like that.

[C70R]

To the OP's credit, the air filter on the E9x 330d is an absolute pig of a job, and much worse than the E46. Most internet guides suggest something like 1-1.5hrs for experienced DIYers. I wouldn't base assumptions about anyone's mechanical nous on their ability to complete that job easily.

Edited by C70R on Tuesday 1st December 13:12

[everyeggabird]

craigsup said:

Sump said:

Most people have a natural knack for things like DIY. But when it is taking 2 and half hours to change an air filter, you really have to question whether you have that knack for it or not.

So you're telling me that you've never done a task which has taken you significantly longer than you anticipated? You're an arrogant person if not. I had never looked beyond an oil cap prior to this weekend, so of course it's going to take me a long time to do things. Plus, my BMW needed many things removing in order to access the Air filter and then there were some tricky bolts to undo.

As the above poster stated, I am a software engineer. I can strip and build / alter a PC in half an hour, I can write a program to automate any process, I've coded a working sat nav. Just because you can do something straight away, does not mean a complete novice with no experience can do the same; stop being so short sighted.

I used to reach for a Haynes manual before starting anything but these days the first thing I do is reach for the laptop. I can then watch an expert go through the process.
There are some very helpful people out there that have taken the time to go through most jobs step by step.

[Happy Eater]

OP - You made very many fundamental mistakes before even touching the car:

The difficulty of the job has no bearing on the amount of time needed.
The time needed is directly related to any external constraints.
From previous experience trying to get things done just before, a wedding, a funeral, a job interview, a long planned family holiday - means the easiest tasks will be a nightmare.

If you have a long bank holiday weekend - it will be Monday night when you realise that the Oil Filter you are about to fit is the wrong one after removing the old one by shoving a screwdriver through it!

The second is do not believe anyone who sells car parts - check and check again.
You will be surprised at the number of manufactures who change components half way through a model run e.g. Starter motors, compressors etc.

The third is having the right tools helps - see point earlier re-oil filter!
or having the wrong tools but knowing how to use them - normally big hammers!

.....and finally the ability to complete the Job is always related to how pissed off the other half will be if you don't!

However, stick with it you will learn more and more about cars, also use You-Tube the amount of videos regarding simple car repairs is incredible - the best ones are where they start well and hit loads of problems, you then laugh at them - and proceed to do exactly the same.

Also be wary of people on the internet saying how they can do an entire engine rebuild in two minutes - they have probably never been near a set of spanners!

Those that have know you only need one bolt to shear in a pig of a location to scupper the best mechanics plans.

[jamieduff1981]

^ I agree with all that.

Cars seem to know when you're under pressure. Or maybe (more likely) it's your own subconscious.

The simplest of things can very quickly escalate in to a complete nightmare and it only ever seems to happen when there's a hard backstop when the car is needed again. Anyone who claims to be above this is a bullstter who's never worked on cars.

You quickly learn to feel when things aren't going right, but you don't always have many options if the task needs to be completed. An experienced person will generally avoid needlessly rounding heads off fasteners, fighting against rusty/siezed bolts without penetrating oil but occassionally you get one you know is going to be a problem despite your mitigations and you know you're going to break it.

Shearing the head off a bolt might be no big deal if you have a spare nut and bolt the right size and spec. Shear the head off a MacPherson strut's knuckle pinch bolt leaving the broken part of the stud stuck in the female threads however and the car is going nowhere until you either drill out the broken stud and clean the female threads with a tap, or more likely just source a replacement knuckle which doesn't have a broken stud stuck in it. Try that the day before you have to drive off somewhere and Sod's Law is sure to befall you.

Besides, working on cars before anything where you're meant to look presentable is a bad idea. You can shower the contents of the wheel arches out of your hair before you go out and scrub your skin with Swarfega but your wife won't be impressed if you take her out to dinner with black finger nails and black highlighting on the skin of your hands.

[Shwar25]

craigsup said:

Depends how you look at it - I've had a stty weekend, but I've also learnt a lot about the general maintenance of my car. Whether or not I use it in the future, at least I now know how long tasks should take and therefore cannot get scammed by garages.

2.5 Hours for an air filter change.

[Happy Eater]

Shwar25 said:

craigsup said:

Depends how you look at it - I've had a stty weekend, but I've also learnt a lot about the general maintenance of my car. Whether or not I use it in the future, at least I now know how long tasks should take and therefore cannot get scammed by garages.

2.5 Hours for an air filter change.

[DanSaff]

Shwar25 said:

2.5 Hours for an air filter change.

So next time you get an air filter changed, the garage can bill you for 2 hrs because it took you 2 and a half hours to change it.

Seems legit

Edited by DanSaff on Tuesday 1st December 16:24

[C70R]

Shwar25 said:

2.5 Hours for an air filter change.

Obviously you've no idea how unnecessarily complicated the E9x 330d airfilter change is. 1.5hrs+ is common for experienced DIYers.

Not a comment that makes you look intelligent.

[Sump]

C70R said:

Shwar25 said:

2.5 Hours for an air filter change.

Obviously you've no idea how unnecessarily complicated the E9x 330d airfilter change is. 1.5hrs+ is common for experienced DIYers.

Not a comment that makes you look intelligent.

Oh come on, admittedly it's not a piece of piss air filter change but it's not a 1.5 hrs change. Are you guys doing this blindfolded or something?

[MDMetal]

Why do people always start jobs which potentially leave them carless a day or so before absolutely needing a car? If I DIY or hell even a regular service I avoid anytime I know I NEED my car in the next week. Just in case anything happens, seems like common sense. I also wouldn't be changing brakes/touching the undertray then dashing off on a long journey, take a few short trips, test everything, start at low speeds then work up to make sure everything is A ok. I can happily do plenty of maintenance myself but I'd never dream of just dusting myself and throwing the car straight on the motorway. Fortunately all that happened was you lost some time.

[essayer]

Sump said:

Oh come on, admittedly it's not a piece of piss air filter change but it's not a 1.5 hrs change. Are you guys doing this blindfolded or something?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=279058

Fair bit of disassembly (and reassembly) required!

[bungz]

essayer said:

Sump said:

Oh come on, admittedly it's not a piece of piss air filter change but it's not a 1.5 hrs change. Are you guys doing this blindfolded or something?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=279058

Fair bit of disassembly (and reassembly) required!

Think that's just made the case worse for me

[Sump]

essayer said:

Sump said:

Oh come on, admittedly it's not a piece of piss air filter change but it's not a 1.5 hrs change. Are you guys doing this blindfolded or something?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=279058

Fair bit of disassembly (and reassembly) required!

Yup that is alot.

I take my comments back regarding the air filter change. Thought it was just like the E46 330d, tricky but didn't realise all that cowling had to come off.

Sorry guys.

[craigsup]

essayer said:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=279...

Fair bit of disassembly (and reassembly) required!

Thank you for providing the link so people can see the steps required!
I originally thought it was easy (based on other models) but I had to choose the most difficult model of car!