How long has it been since you worked on a car?
Discussion
I can't remember myself. I had a Saab 900 between 1999 and 2002 and remember changing some hoses, bulbs, wheels but thats what everbody should be able to do.
My last and current car have just been visual & fluid inspections, and tyres. I don't even own a socket set anymore.
But when I was younger, my old man being such a tight arse used to get me to change the plugs, oil, we also did repair work. Years ago I recall doing alot of 'running repairs' , replacing snapped cluthch cables, throttle cables, I call them running as it always happend when I was driving.
But I cannot recall actually fixing anything for years (replacing fuses not included!)
Does anyone else have trouble recalling when they last worked on a car? And do you miss it?
My last and current car have just been visual & fluid inspections, and tyres. I don't even own a socket set anymore.
But when I was younger, my old man being such a tight arse used to get me to change the plugs, oil, we also did repair work. Years ago I recall doing alot of 'running repairs' , replacing snapped cluthch cables, throttle cables, I call them running as it always happend when I was driving.
But I cannot recall actually fixing anything for years (replacing fuses not included!)
Does anyone else have trouble recalling when they last worked on a car? And do you miss it?
Edited by Harji on Thursday 17th February 07:26
Edited by Harji on Thursday 17th February 07:45
I always work on my own cars as I don't trust garages due to the rip offs.... I even have a diagnostic scanner which I also use to scan other owners cars for the diagnosis of their problems too
An example of the rip off's was my wife's car went to the garage for a service, they claimed it needed new wiper blades,reversing light switch and the indicator bulbs were losing the "orange" and showing white.....
Needless to say, the blades had been damaged by the garage (the car had been driven there in heavy rain with no issues)- They were not aware that I had new blades in the boot ready to put on for MOT/annual replacement and the "white" bulbs passed the MOT a week later..... as for the reverse light switch the car engages reverse only when the brake pedal is depresses as it's semi auto DOH....and this from a MAIN dealer......
Needless to say,my cars are now always maintained by me(when out of warranty), cheaper than a garage, using parts that are "pukka" but without the Manufacturers packaging with quality fluids.....and my "portfolio" of cars I look after is growing
An example of the rip off's was my wife's car went to the garage for a service, they claimed it needed new wiper blades,reversing light switch and the indicator bulbs were losing the "orange" and showing white.....
Needless to say, the blades had been damaged by the garage (the car had been driven there in heavy rain with no issues)- They were not aware that I had new blades in the boot ready to put on for MOT/annual replacement and the "white" bulbs passed the MOT a week later..... as for the reverse light switch the car engages reverse only when the brake pedal is depresses as it's semi auto DOH....and this from a MAIN dealer......
Needless to say,my cars are now always maintained by me(when out of warranty), cheaper than a garage, using parts that are "pukka" but without the Manufacturers packaging with quality fluids.....and my "portfolio" of cars I look after is growing
a couple of weeks back. Helen's Megane started running on three cylinders so I did what any right thinking man would do and google'd the problem.
Coil issues came up so I took the cover off the engine and unplugged each coil until I found the right one. Went to our motor factors and grabbed a new one for £27 and fitted it. Hardly a big job as it was only one bolt.
Renault wanted £50 to tow it in, £80 for diagnostics and then £100 an hour labour. Thanks for that.
Coil issues came up so I took the cover off the engine and unplugged each coil until I found the right one. Went to our motor factors and grabbed a new one for £27 and fitted it. Hardly a big job as it was only one bolt.
Renault wanted £50 to tow it in, £80 for diagnostics and then £100 an hour labour. Thanks for that.
Yesterday - barter system.
Mate's brother fixed my computer so I replaced the leaking hose on his car.
Last week my wife's Audi - I had to remove the front to change the belt tensioner which had broken - looked a bit daunting but googling found a "how to" video. Saved me £300 but I actually did it because local garages couldn't look at it for a week.
Mate's brother fixed my computer so I replaced the leaking hose on his car.
Last week my wife's Audi - I had to remove the front to change the belt tensioner which had broken - looked a bit daunting but googling found a "how to" video. Saved me £300 but I actually did it because local garages couldn't look at it for a week.
I think I need to buy a house with off road parking so I don't look like a blithering idiot where bits of car laying around all over the place if I need to work on a car again, or get some 'man up' pills.
I would like to get a snotter so I could do basic servicing, or fixing myself. I do sort of miss it as well.
I would like to get a snotter so I could do basic servicing, or fixing myself. I do sort of miss it as well.
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