Self servicing a Cerbera
Discussion
Apologies in advance for starting a thread I know will be covered before....but whilst the search function is offline, I thought Id just ask!
Apart from tappet adjustments on a 12k service, is there anything very technical or difficult about servicing a Cerb by oneself instead it being done by a specialist? I have a list of which parts get changed and fluids to replace, and none of it seems to be too taxing, plus I can change stuff over a slightly longer period of time and not stump up £800 or so in one hit.
I know a visual inspection is done at the same time, but I guess that can be done at any time for a small fee by an indy no?
Apart from tappet adjustments on a 12k service, is there anything very technical or difficult about servicing a Cerb by oneself instead it being done by a specialist? I have a list of which parts get changed and fluids to replace, and none of it seems to be too taxing, plus I can change stuff over a slightly longer period of time and not stump up £800 or so in one hit.
I know a visual inspection is done at the same time, but I guess that can be done at any time for a small fee by an indy no?
Gray_101 said:
But the down side is you won't get a stamp in the service book and this may put potential buys off when you come to sell it.
Well my thinking is that as I bought a CAT D Cerb with any future resale value already lower, plus it was BCA's high miles, "cosmetically challenged" car....Id rather save the money from a service to help fund a re-spray I have in mind. At current prices a service would represent a good percentage of the price I paid for her.In terms of getting money back on any future resale, the CAT D and mileage means I think the price I paid was pretty close to bottom dollar for this car already, so whatever I sink into her for my own pleasure will be money lost, as future resale will never be substantially higher no matter what I do to her or even with FSH at a specialist. Any major work would certainly be undertaken by a specialist tho.
I find these cars Easy to work on i have been looking after 95% of my TVR for the last 4 years and the Cerb is no different to my old Chim in terms of servicing only the valve clearances on the engine are a bit technical.
But at the end of the day if you can wield a spanner it is all only nuts and bolts. Don't be put off by some that say they are one off complicated machines. they have there own unique bits, but still easier to work on than most high performance jap machines out there.
Do what you can read and learn, if you need to use a indy do so for hard bits and you will save ££££
But at the end of the day if you can wield a spanner it is all only nuts and bolts. Don't be put off by some that say they are one off complicated machines. they have there own unique bits, but still easier to work on than most high performance jap machines out there.
Do what you can read and learn, if you need to use a indy do so for hard bits and you will save ££££
I got my cerb last autumn and did the 24k service over christmas including the valve clearances. Having previously owned classic cars it was certainly different but nothing too difficult. I was very nervous about doing the valves but it was relatively straigtforward, although it took three iterations per side to get them all within 1thou.
That is a highly developed, astonishingly capable and strong Cerbera that you have got. I hear that BCA bloke is like a so-far-unknown Ayrton Senna, with the cars racing heritage and celebrity owner, it'll be worth millions in the future... or it'll be a relatively worthless, high mileage car, but only if I can buy it back off you. 
I think a bit of both would be the best idea. I have no doubt that you have the ability and will to do a great job with it longer term, but I would say get one major done at APM, then do the minor yourself, then see how you feel about doing the following major. I think it'd do you both (the car and you) good to have it given a once over and set up by APM, then you can do the following one yourself and have a look into doing the full service after you know it a bit better? That said, from all of our chats, I am very happy that it is in such a thorough and enthusiastic set of hands, so I am sure if you do go DIY it'll be done well. Perhaps it'll be worth joining Paul (UKkid35)on his and getting an idea of whats involved too?
I also agree it leaves even more in funds for additions/ upgrades, so it's all good if you do go that route. If we had kept it, that is how we would have gone with it. Definitely worthwhile if you are happy to give up your time to do it/ enjoy it, and a sure fire way to be sure everything is done properly.
I think a bit of both would be the best idea. I have no doubt that you have the ability and will to do a great job with it longer term, but I would say get one major done at APM, then do the minor yourself, then see how you feel about doing the following major. I think it'd do you both (the car and you) good to have it given a once over and set up by APM, then you can do the following one yourself and have a look into doing the full service after you know it a bit better? That said, from all of our chats, I am very happy that it is in such a thorough and enthusiastic set of hands, so I am sure if you do go DIY it'll be done well. Perhaps it'll be worth joining Paul (UKkid35)on his and getting an idea of whats involved too?
I also agree it leaves even more in funds for additions/ upgrades, so it's all good if you do go that route. If we had kept it, that is how we would have gone with it. Definitely worthwhile if you are happy to give up your time to do it/ enjoy it, and a sure fire way to be sure everything is done properly.
If you are any way compotent then you'll have no issues servicing the car yourself.
I don't really have any choice as going to a dealer / indie involves the additional hassle and expense of jumping on a ferry (for all but one place and I'd actually probably be quicker getting the ferry).
I haven't personally tackled a tappet service yet though (yet
).
I don't really have any choice as going to a dealer / indie involves the additional hassle and expense of jumping on a ferry (for all but one place and I'd actually probably be quicker getting the ferry).
I haven't personally tackled a tappet service yet though (yet
).DIY. Doing lots more of it myself, although Andy is getting the job of doing the clutch slave seals when I am back. I'll also get him to do a major service at times, to include the valve clearances, that way I figure I get the best of both worlds.
I know you've got the passion and skill Steve, so go for it buddy.
I know you've got the passion and skill Steve, so go for it buddy.
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