how many of you do work on your own cars?
Discussion
minor jobs i have always done myself, even though i am a bit wet behind the ears when it comes to mechanics. I rely heavily upon PH and Steve Heaths bible and a bit of common sense. Anything involving specialist tools or something i am liable to 
up I leave to the experts.
Main problem i find is that my local experts are an hour away and i simply dont have the time to get the car up to them. Coupled with the fact i try to keep the TVRs as my only car it means I have to work on them myself if they are to be sorted out.
up I leave to the experts. Main problem i find is that my local experts are an hour away and i simply dont have the time to get the car up to them. Coupled with the fact i try to keep the TVRs as my only car it means I have to work on them myself if they are to be sorted out.
Do quite a lot myself like speakers and head-unit swaps. Also do some of the basic "tending" myself also - just making sure that the sparks are OK, replacing the HT leads and general stuff like that.
I intend to do more such as exhaust pipe lagging and improved fans as well as sorting out some of the rather spagetti like electrics too. Also have done some generic under and over body work - oh, and will sort out the hood later too....
Anything else like servicing and faults that arent explained in the bible then it goes to a friendly indie.... but seeing as they are always rushed off their feet I end up doing some of it anyway....
I intend to do more such as exhaust pipe lagging and improved fans as well as sorting out some of the rather spagetti like electrics too. Also have done some generic under and over body work - oh, and will sort out the hood later too....
Anything else like servicing and faults that arent explained in the bible then it goes to a friendly indie.... but seeing as they are always rushed off their feet I end up doing some of it anyway....
As my car is not that old (2000) the service book needs to be kept up for resale purposes so servicing is left to an independant(dealers a total rip off). Anything else I can do no problem, no longer having full garage facilities can be very frustrating though. Working on cars without the right equipment has never been so hard as it is today. I am assured this is due to progress, I am not convinced, I think the motor industry decided years ago to kill off the small garage and it is working a treat.
Ivan
Ivan
Have always (since 1970) done my own servicing, rebuilds, welding, engines, boxes etc. HOWEVER, since buying the Chimaera (well actually the M3 before it) I have put most work out to the dealer (it's actually just been the servicing as the TVR has been so reliable). This is a) to keep the damn Service History for resale purposes and b) 'cos I've no access to diagnostic stuff and even the simplest jobs like spark plugs are a bit of a pain on the Tiv. Currently considering the possibility (in the next year) of selling Chim for something easier/cheaper to work on as £600/6k miles is starting to bug me. that said, no bones to pick with HHC's work, it's always been spot on.
I,ve now owned my first tvr (500 chimaera) for one week, been waiting and dreaming for the last 10 years. In that time I've done the head gaskets, stripped the dash to get the instruments working, mended both electric windows and cured the misfire (almost). Still got to do some paintwork. Its been the best week of my life, I just wonder how long I'll have a license for!
I'll do as much work on mine as I can.
I'll do as much work on mine as I can.Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff