Mechanic anyone?
Discussion
Just for my consideration, how many of you work on your cars yourselves?
Not just in respect of a smaller items like little electrical faults, fuses etc, but mechanically:- changing pads & fluids, starter motors, oil, plugs?
Is this actually possible or just a nightmare to do anything or is it just that most of the items requiring attention need an expert?
Not just in respect of a smaller items like little electrical faults, fuses etc, but mechanically:- changing pads & fluids, starter motors, oil, plugs?
Is this actually possible or just a nightmare to do anything or is it just that most of the items requiring attention need an expert?
Makes all the difference not having to make a round trip to a dealer! Probably best not to start practicing with a Cerb, but if you've always changed brakes etc. on your banger, then it's no harder. In fact, some jobs are much easier because discs not drums, nuts & bolts are more standard sizes and not rusted on, etc. 
What you're missing to begin with are all the little tricks to do a job efficiently in 10 minutes rather than a few hours, and being stuck for ages when you can't manage to shift a bolt or something. (cue Joolz doing something violent!) Also, having decent tools, including all the special ones for particular jobs. I'm particularly jealous of Julian64's 4 post lift tho! One day...
>> Edited by dannylt on Wednesday 13th October 12:59
What you're missing to begin with are all the little tricks to do a job efficiently in 10 minutes rather than a few hours, and being stuck for ages when you can't manage to shift a bolt or something. (cue Joolz doing something violent!) Also, having decent tools, including all the special ones for particular jobs. I'm particularly jealous of Julian64's 4 post lift tho! One day...
>> Edited by dannylt on Wednesday 13th October 12:59
Having come from a background of old cars, its not much of a problem to work on. I tend to fix the electrics and other niggly things. Also fitted Nitrons and new radiator hoses.
As Danny says, once you accept it will take longer due to not knowing shortcuts and if you work within the limitations of your tools, then it should be fine.
As Danny says, once you accept it will take longer due to not knowing shortcuts and if you work within the limitations of your tools, then it should be fine.
I do all my own repairs and servicing, I'm very fussy and particular about correctness so doing it myself not only saves me money but I know it's been done. Not only that but I enjoy it, which helps!!
I'm also a time-served Mechanical Engineer (no..not a Mechanic) and my father has his own fully equiped workshop...Thank God!! Correct/good tools and equipment make a big difference. Without this background then it would be near-on impossible to do it properly.
I must say though, the Cerbera looks pretty good to work on. I've only had her 3 months and looking at her from underneath it all looks basic enough to work on. Changed the main drive boots last month and was delighted with the way it went, although I did have the use of a lift and without that then..for get it!!
I'm also a time-served Mechanical Engineer (no..not a Mechanic) and my father has his own fully equiped workshop...Thank God!! Correct/good tools and equipment make a big difference. Without this background then it would be near-on impossible to do it properly.
I must say though, the Cerbera looks pretty good to work on. I've only had her 3 months and looking at her from underneath it all looks basic enough to work on. Changed the main drive boots last month and was delighted with the way it went, although I did have the use of a lift and without that then..for get it!!
si-pen said:
I do all my own repairs and servicing, I'm very fussy and particular about correctness so doing it myself not only saves me money but I know it's been done. Not only that but I enjoy it, which helps!!
I'm also a time-served Mechanical Engineer (no..not a Mechanic) and my father has his own fully equiped workshop...Thank God!! Correct/good tools and equipment make a big difference. Without this background then it would be near-on impossible to do it properly.
I must say though, the Cerbera looks pretty good to work on. I've only had her 3 months and looking at her from underneath it all looks basic enough to work on. Changed the main drive boots last month and was delighted with the way it went, although I did have the use of a lift and without that then..for get it!!
Same here, Do all my own work, during the past year, I've adjusted valve clearances, and changed slave cylinder seals, as well as loads of other niff-naff..... In my opinion the cerb is very simple, however I do work on gas turbines for a living!!!!
crazycats said:
Same here, Do all my own work, during the past year, I've adjusted valve clearances, and changed slave cylinder seals, as well as loads of other niff-naff..... In my opinion the cerb is very simple, however I do work on gas turbines for a living!!!!
How difficult were the valves to do? Did you make up any special tools? I've also heard that the engine has no timing marks.
So there are a fair few of you then, also doing some pretty mechanical stuff.
Reason for asking is of course fed by money.
A lot of the posts on here from prospective owners relate to reliability, which I don't think stems from the breakdown / annoyance aspect, but also like me, more towards the cost fixing it.
A TVR is quite easily attainable to most in the market, but are the running costs all to high? Those that look get the bug and want to own immediately if not sooner, but do some homework and are worried / put off by tales of being "back in the garage".
My thoughts are that if you are moderately experienced and as said before, have the correct tools, by doing the work yourselves must be onto a winner??? It was even stated that some even enjoy it, I guess adding into character of the car and the experience?
You lot all seem to have top jobs too, RAF Engineers and Bugatti Test Drivers etc I want one! Where's that E. Standard gone?
>> Edited by newguy on Wednesday 13th October 14:32
Reason for asking is of course fed by money.
A lot of the posts on here from prospective owners relate to reliability, which I don't think stems from the breakdown / annoyance aspect, but also like me, more towards the cost fixing it.
A TVR is quite easily attainable to most in the market, but are the running costs all to high? Those that look get the bug and want to own immediately if not sooner, but do some homework and are worried / put off by tales of being "back in the garage".
My thoughts are that if you are moderately experienced and as said before, have the correct tools, by doing the work yourselves must be onto a winner??? It was even stated that some even enjoy it, I guess adding into character of the car and the experience?
You lot all seem to have top jobs too, RAF Engineers and Bugatti Test Drivers etc I want one! Where's that E. Standard gone?
>> Edited by newguy on Wednesday 13th October 14:32
I agree with above. I'm afraid I'm also a bit fussy from long back. Started off by marking bits before sending my cars in for a service.
Used to really annoy me when I would go back to the garage and tell them they hadn't changed an oil filter on a service, or used old plugs. To see the oilly rag shrug his shoulders. Or the car come back with a new scratch with everyone denying knowledge.
Unfortunately I got so obsessional that I would probably redo a service in wasted time and effort after a service looking for bits that hadn't been done. It all got a bit ridiculous. Even bought a two post lift to feed my obsession.
To give you an example I had a bit of play in my steering rack a few posts back. Instead of just adjusting it I took the rack apart. To do this means taking two coolant water pipes off underneath the car.
It annoyed me how rusty and badly placed these were and that every time this car had been serviced the engineers had just ignored them waiting for the inevitable to happen.
To cut a very long story short, virtually all the water pipes on my car are now cleaned, shotblasted, hammerited, and hanging from my garage roof drying while my screwfix order for pipe clips comes through.
Now in my more lucid moments I know that these weren't part of the service and that its unreasonable of me to expect someone to have done this, but if the person who does it loves the car in a way you can't expect the service guy to, well then, it gets done, doesn't it.
I will no go away and take my pills.
Used to really annoy me when I would go back to the garage and tell them they hadn't changed an oil filter on a service, or used old plugs. To see the oilly rag shrug his shoulders. Or the car come back with a new scratch with everyone denying knowledge.
Unfortunately I got so obsessional that I would probably redo a service in wasted time and effort after a service looking for bits that hadn't been done. It all got a bit ridiculous. Even bought a two post lift to feed my obsession.
To give you an example I had a bit of play in my steering rack a few posts back. Instead of just adjusting it I took the rack apart. To do this means taking two coolant water pipes off underneath the car.
It annoyed me how rusty and badly placed these were and that every time this car had been serviced the engineers had just ignored them waiting for the inevitable to happen.
To cut a very long story short, virtually all the water pipes on my car are now cleaned, shotblasted, hammerited, and hanging from my garage roof drying while my screwfix order for pipe clips comes through.
Now in my more lucid moments I know that these weren't part of the service and that its unreasonable of me to expect someone to have done this, but if the person who does it loves the car in a way you can't expect the service guy to, well then, it gets done, doesn't it.
I will no go away and take my pills.
Julian64 said:
I agree with above. I'm afraid I'm also a bit fussy from long back. Started off by marking bits before sending my cars in for a service.
Used to really annoy me when I would go back to the garage and tell them they hadn't changed an oil filter on a service, or used old plugs. To see the oilly rag shrug his shoulders. Or the car come back with a new scratch with everyone denying knowledge.
Unfortunately I got so obsessional that I would probably redo a service in wasted time and effort after a service looking for bits that hadn't been done. It all got a bit ridiculous. Even bought a two post lift to feed my obsession.
To give you an example I had a bit of play in my steering rack a few posts back. Instead of just adjusting it I took the rack apart. To do this means taking two coolant water pipes off underneath the car.
It annoyed me how rusty and badly placed these were and that every time this car had been serviced the engineers had just ignored them waiting for the inevitable to happen.
To cut a very long story short, virtually all the water pipes on my car are now cleaned, shotblasted, hammerited, and hanging from my garage roof drying while my screwfix order for pipe clips comes through.
Now in my more lucid moments I know that these weren't part of the service and that its unreasonable of me to expect someone to have done this, but if the person who does it loves the car in a way you can't expect the service guy to, well then, it gets done, doesn't it.
I will no go away and take my pills.
Spot on, no dealer will take the time over your car that you will. You also have the knowledge that things are done correctly & wont let you down. (be care ful not to get obsessive about it though).
By the way, does anyone elso take their sports pipes off to clean em?
OK, taking the pipes off to clean them may be a little obsessibe, but I might just turn out that way once I find my perfect partner...
Do those of you who do take this much time on their cars still suffer as many faults or do you catch things in time & does it reduce the "average" cost when it does go to the garage?
Do those of you who do take this much time on their cars still suffer as many faults or do you catch things in time & does it reduce the "average" cost when it does go to the garage?
newguy said:
OK, taking the pipes off to clean them may be a little obsessibe, but I might just turn out that way once I find my perfect partner...
Do those of you who do take this much time on their cars still suffer as many faults or do you catch things in time & does it reduce the "average" cost when it does go to the garage?
I dont take them off, but do lift the car and use silver polish on them to keep them sparkling!!!
As for catching faults, once you start working on it you develop a 'must do' list which never really gets any smaller cos as quick as you clear it, more gets added! Changing my coil packs and found that the rubber seals on the injectors were slightly perished, also the electrical connections were split! Also oil leak into the middle of the 'V'new HT leads etcetcetc.... the list goes on and on!!!
But hey, when she is back together........ it is better than sex!!! (almost)
Piston-Broke said:
Are there any workshop manuals for Cerbs? Gettin my new baby on Saturday and would like to do some of the jobs myself (rebuilt a few bike engines in my time so know the basics)
Many thanks
I have one, its on CD at work. If u mail me i can burn u a copy and send it FOC
simonsparrow said:
How difficult were the valves to do? Did you make up any special tools? I've also heard that the engine has no timing marks.
If you've adjusted shim and bucket types before, then no real problem, however I did them 3 times in all, so that they were spot on. Also a couple of phone calls to Joolz were needed!!! He's also got a good tip for them, but it's not my place to reveal it on here
No there aren't any timing marks, but I used a white chinagraph pencil, to mark it all, and was VERY careful when it all went back together, and only took one cam out at a time.
As for special tools, no I didn't use any, I think there is one for holding the timing chain wheels whilst they're off the cam, but I just improvised. Something to bear in mind also, is that the mounting holes for the chain wheels are elongated, in the end I just put it back exactly where it came off, but that doesn't mean they were in the right place to begin with.
If you are in any doubt, then don't even attempt this job, it certainly isn't one to tackle if you're unsure in any way.
crazycats said:
How difficult were the valves to do? Did you make up any special tools? I've also heard that the engine has no timing marks.
If you've adjusted shim and bucket types before, then no real problem, however I did them 3 times in all, so that they were spot on. Also a couple of phone calls to Joolz were needed!!! He's also got a good tip for them, but it's not my place to reveal it on here
No there aren't any timing marks, but I used a white chinagraph pencil, to mark it all, and was VERY careful when it all went back together, and only took one cam out at a time.
As for special tools, no I didn't use any, I think there is one for holding the timing chain wheels whilst they're off the cam, but I just improvised. Something to bear in mind also, is that the mounting holes for the chain wheels are elongated, in the end I just put it back exactly where it came off, but that doesn't mean they were in the right place to begin with.
If you are in any doubt, then don't even attempt this job, it certainly isn't one to tackle if you're unsure in any way.
I've done shim and bucket years ago on motorcyles. For now I'm happy to leave this to the experts, its more of a long-term-when-I-take-it-back-to-NZ type question.
TVR Slag's Bil said:
Are there any workshop manuals for Cerbs? Gettin my new baby on Saturday and would like to do some of the jobs myself (rebuilt a few bike engines in my time so know the basics)
Many thanks
I have one, its on CD at work. If u mail me i can burn u a copy and send it FOC
Me too please - YHM
TVR Slag's Bil said:
Are there any workshop manuals for Cerbs? Gettin my new baby on Saturday and would like to do some of the jobs myself (rebuilt a few bike engines in my time so know the basics)
Many thanks
I have one, its on CD at work. If u mail me i can burn u a copy and send it FOC
me too please, would be appreciated
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