The Joy of Running an Old Shed
Discussion
Ryyy said:
I really want to be more mechanically minded which I'd like to think would come with shed experience at the end of this year but for those who do it,how do you do it? Lifetime of tinkering or mechanical background? I'm a joiner(carpenter depending on location) by trade and scare myself with anything that's not wood 
but you guys changing belts and alternators etc etc is where I want to be at.
For myself it was a combination of things. The first doesn’t apply to everyone - having 2 close friends be mechanics and willing to give me a hand but you guys changing belts and alternators etc etc is where I want to be at.
But otherwise, there’s a hell of a lot of information out there, plenty of channels on YouTube just full of car maintenance. I forget which car you said you had, but if it’s quite a common model there are probably loads of videos on it. Plus another joy of sheds is that Haynes manuals are often available to assist. Owners forums can be useful too, as can reading in the Home Mechanics section on here just for general advice.
Other than that it’s just a case of assembling a basic tool kit and practicing. Start with basic servicing and brakes, just to get a feel for it. I’m very much a novice too but growing more confident with each job I do. As long as you are aware of how to lift a car safely and use proper equipment to do so, the rest is just nuts and bolts at the end of the day.
Practice, practice, practice. For us older guys who started pre Internet days it was a Haynes manual and your dad. He stood over me as I did my first service on my auction bought Ford Cortina, supervised on the second service then just let me get on with it.
He showed me how to change the discs and pads once, suspension parts a couple of times and as my confidence grew he left me to it.
Buy basic tools first that will enable you to do a service of oil and filter, air filter, spark plugs and fuel filter if needed. As you build up on your tool kit you will be able to tackle more complicated jobs until nothing holds much fear.
Spring and summer time spannering is quite therapeutic and over the years you will save a ton of money with the added bonus of not being at the mercy of rip off garages and main stealers.
He showed me how to change the discs and pads once, suspension parts a couple of times and as my confidence grew he left me to it.
Buy basic tools first that will enable you to do a service of oil and filter, air filter, spark plugs and fuel filter if needed. As you build up on your tool kit you will be able to tackle more complicated jobs until nothing holds much fear.
Spring and summer time spannering is quite therapeutic and over the years you will save a ton of money with the added bonus of not being at the mercy of rip off garages and main stealers.
Lord Cunnington Smythe said:
Spring and summer time spannering is quite therapeutic and over the years you will save a ton of money with the added bonus of not being at the mercy of rip off garages and main stealers.
More over you'll know the work has been done right or even just done! I know they're not all bad at all, but I've had a few issues over the years with work done at some garages. Just a selection..."yeah mate your air con isn't working because of a loom issue behind your dash, that'll need to come out first!" ...was the clutch on the compressor - in the engine bay.
"Your cruise isn't working because the cruise ECU has gone bad" ...was a £35 switch on the back of clutch pedal.
"No, we didn't break the passenger side window switch" ...they really did!
Its a minefield!
If you want a decent mechanic, go and ask for a recommendation at the local independent motor factors. They won't be entirely unbiased, as they will be mates with some of them, but you're not so likely to get a bad one.
I obviously work in the trade, and all I see are decent blokes (mainly) trying to make some money by working hard. When you actually do the job yourself, you realise that £40 labour to fit brakes on the side of the road is not a terrible price.
I obviously work in the trade, and all I see are decent blokes (mainly) trying to make some money by working hard. When you actually do the job yourself, you realise that £40 labour to fit brakes on the side of the road is not a terrible price.
The Mad Monk said:
Where do you get them from? The customers, that is.
LOL, I buy them on facebook. (generally I put a teeny little ad with lots of words somewhere on facebook marketplace, and it gives me a good idea of who has read the ad. (Answer - not too many).Many come to me through recommendation through existing customers - that's always nice because after a few months you have a good feel for some customers, and you assume their mates will be similar.
And finally, a completely fool proof 100% accurate every time method of buying cars that will help you weed out the rubbish ones.....
Check the radio.
1) Standard radio = pass, aftermarket = fail.
2) Preset channels No2 = tuned to radio 2 pass. No4 tuned to radio 4 = pass. These tuned to nation FM, or sunshine, or other advertising rubbish. Reject the car. This is a really surprisingly accurate method of car selection.
Oh, and any modifications = reject.
Bias saves time.
Check the radio.
1) Standard radio = pass, aftermarket = fail.
2) Preset channels No2 = tuned to radio 2 pass. No4 tuned to radio 4 = pass. These tuned to nation FM, or sunshine, or other advertising rubbish. Reject the car. This is a really surprisingly accurate method of car selection.
Oh, and any modifications = reject.
Bias saves time.
My MK1 Focus is now with my 20 year old daughter and she loves it. Not many girls these days would put up with a 21 year old car but hey, we’ve brought our kids up not to be spoiled brats! It’s been pressed into service as a Domino’s delivery car and wracking up the miles, a job it does brilliantly. She’s also bought a gadget off of Amazon which allows her to stream music from her phone - with kids these days that’s their number one consideration ! So I’m happy that my beloved old Ford still lives on! I miss a shed actually. My replacement BMW is so clean and tidy I’m paranoid about parking it near other cars!
Edited by greenarrow on Friday 18th June 19:46
cedrichn said:
Good job, good price 
Which engine is that ? Variable timing on admission..?
It's the venerable Z19DTH as found in Vauxhalls/Saab/Fiat/Alfa etc Which engine is that ? Variable timing on admission..?
Actually not bad engines with a bit of preventative maintenance and attention paid to the problem areas...Mines currently on 176k and still pulls strong with the remap
Ryyy said:
I really want to be more mechanically minded which I'd like to think would come with shed experience at the end of this year but for those who do it,how do you do it? Lifetime of tinkering or mechanical background? I'm a joiner(carpenter depending on location) by trade and scare myself with anything that's not wood but you guys changing belts and alternators etc etc is where I want to be at.
Started tinkering with cars in my teens, now a mechanic as a job for my sins but you guys changing belts and alternators etc etc is where I want to be at.bearman68 said:
And finally, a completely fool proof 100% accurate every time method of buying cars that will help you weed out the rubbish ones.....
Check the radio.
1) Standard radio = pass, aftermarket = fail.
2) Preset channels No2 = tuned to radio 2 pass. No4 tuned to radio 4 = pass. These tuned to nation FM, or sunshine, or other advertising rubbish. Reject the car. This is a really surprisingly accurate method of car selection.
Oh, and any modifications = reject.
Bias saves time.
Have to agree about the aftermarket radio, as soon as I see that in an advert I move onto the next one. I have never gone as far as checking the radio stations before I buy but you are right. On the whole, the cars that had Radio 2, Smooth, Heart or some other middle of the road oldies stations programmed in have been the best.Check the radio.
1) Standard radio = pass, aftermarket = fail.
2) Preset channels No2 = tuned to radio 2 pass. No4 tuned to radio 4 = pass. These tuned to nation FM, or sunshine, or other advertising rubbish. Reject the car. This is a really surprisingly accurate method of car selection.
Oh, and any modifications = reject.
Bias saves time.
Majorslow said:
Just sold my daughters 05 Yaris 122k on the clock for £650 
The bad bits are that I need a new rear light gasket as it is leak into boot. Any one know where I can get one?
I'd just either get a good replacement light cluster from a scrapyard, clag some silicone sealant (any sort) on or just leave it, considering you've sold it. The bad bits are that I need a new rear light gasket as it is leak into boot. Any one know where I can get one?
R50 BPS said:
Majorslow said:
Just sold my daughters 05 Yaris 122k on the clock for £650
The bad bits are that I need a new rear light gasket as it is leak into boot. Any one know where I can get one?
I'd just either get a good replacement light cluster from a scrapyard, clag some silicone sealant (any sort) on or just leave it, considering you've sold it. The bad bits are that I need a new rear light gasket as it is leak into boot. Any one know where I can get one?
My brother has found a car from a local dealer that he likes the look of. It’s a 1.9 Diesel with 145k on the clock with full service history. It’s got new tyres, new brake pads and discs all round, new shocks and suspension all round. water pump and Timing Belts recently replaced. It’s got lots of receipts too for £1200.
Any advice would be great.
Any advice would be great.
Mr.Nobody said:
My brother has found a car from a local dealer that he likes the look of. It’s a 1.9 Diesel with 145k on the clock with full service history. It’s got new tyres, new brake pads and discs all round, new shocks and suspension all round. water pump and Timing Belts recently replaced. It’s got lots of receipts too for £1200.
Any advice would be great.
Make? Model? Year?Any advice would be great.
Some knowledgable shedder will be along to help, answering these would be v helpful.
Mr.Nobody said:
eldar said:
Mot history and number of recent owners worth a look.
Plate is AM08ZNA.There are plenty of similar sites - may be some better?- but that gives me MOT history and road tax cost.
No horrors in the MOT history of AM08ZNA that would put me off.
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