What car jobs does a car DIY mostly do?

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rayonline

1734 posts

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#238138 4-Jul-2018 14:56

I am organising my mum's Volkswagen car to be serviced at a European specialist, not a dealer.

Some DIY'ers would even do the cambelt. Speaking of the average home DIY what is that they do mostly? Generally just a visual check, top up fluids and a oil and filter change? Not that I am considering to do it myself, but is a cambelt replacement generally sourced out and they are generally done each 5yrs anyway.

I was reading, do new Toyotas now have a difficult DIY transmission system? Ie you cannot just undo the plug and do a drain and fill and they have done away the transmission dipstick. Do new Toyotas still have a engine oil dipstick? I heard some cars have gone away with that also.

Cheers :)

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5872 posts

Uber Geek

#2049182 4-Jul-2018 18:56

Some Toyotas of old would have combined engine/gearbox oil which made life simple.

A cambelt is a big job, some manufacturers require special tools so it basically becomes impossible to do at home. There might be a reset of a service interval in an OBC as well which you'd need a specific reader for too.

There's things I'm perfectly capable of doing on my Corolla that I wouldn't think of doing to my 07 Mini.

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MikeB4

18435 posts

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#2049200 4-Jul-2018 19:19

I used to do a lot (father was a auto engineer) but with today's cars the most I will do is check fluids and air.

rayonline

1734 posts

Uber Geek

#2049266 4-Jul-2018 21:06

The cambelt kits and water pump and I suppose some coolant would cost $400 +/-. The 4hr job how does the $500 of labour get calculated? 2 workers?

I suppose the coolant gets serviced too then ...

Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#2049375 5-Jul-2018 00:20

Supposedly the whole bumper and lots of other front end parts are removed on VW cars to do a cambelt replacement. But at the same time, you would also service other items as well. So overall it is still cost effective. And those big service's are spaced quite far apart.

Problem is with a lot of the used imports. The Big service is either already due. Or will become due not long after buying the car.

What is DIY and what is dealer only depends a lot on the car and your knowledge. I know someone who replaces injectors on Mercedes commonrail diesel engines at home. And he is not a mechanic.

Aredwood

3885 posts

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#2049376 5-Jul-2018 00:21

Paging @Coil

MikeAqua

7769 posts

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#2049399 5-Jul-2018 08:37

On my Pajero I have:-

- Changed all fluids and filters,

- Replaced the breaks pads, callipers and rotors,

- Replaced wheel bearings,

- Installed a new stereo,

- Installed a circuit breaker and high amperage cable for an Anderson socket at the draw bar,

- Installed Rhinorack roof rack mounting tracks (riveted on),

- Made minor electrical changes, so the windows have power for 60 seconds after the ignition is switched off

This is all stuff anyone can do with a few tools and some internet research

Still on the to do list: -

- Add combination daytime-running and fog lamps to the front

On my previous car (Primera) I replaced all the shocks and installed a K&N air filter

Mike

MikeB4

18435 posts

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#2049404 5-Jul-2018 08:56

MikeAqua:
On my Pajero I have:-

- Changed all fluids and filters,

- Replaced the breaks pads, callipers and rotors,

- Replaced wheel bearings,

- Installed a new stereo,

- Installed a circuit breaker and high amperage cable for an Anderson socket at the draw bar,

- Installed Rhinorack roof rack mounting tracks (riveted on),

- Made minor electrical changes, so the windows have power for 60 seconds after the ignition is switched off

This is all stuff anyone can do with a few tools and some internet research

Still on the to do list: -

- Add combination daytime-running and fog lamps to the front

On my previous car (Primera) I replaced all the shocks and installed a K&N air filter

I used to do all that now it's 027mrdealer

DarthKermit

5346 posts

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#2049421 5-Jul-2018 09:18

I can change a flat tyre. Tinkering around with cars wasn't something I ever got into.

Wiggum

1199 posts

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Inactive user

#2049428 5-Jul-2018 09:30

I do most of the basic stuff still, change oil, oil filter, fuel filter, plugs, air filters etc.. I have been doing this for many years and have probably saved myself heaps of cash. I leave the more complex or dirty stuff to a proper mechanic. The only time our cars go into a garage is when there is something more seriously wrong. Engine tuning, break pads, wheel bearings etc.. My 5year old Toyota Yaris did need a new alternator a few months ago. I did that myself, and it was actually a pretty easy job. Replaced battery myself too. But what a mission it turned out to be when I found out that disconnecting the battery resets the cars computer, and idling etc.. Car just refused to idle properly anymore. I needed to take it in to just get that fixed.

When I was younger I would do everything. but back then I had a VW Golf MK1, it was easy. Even setting the timing (with a light), tuning the carburetor, replacing the points etc.. Thats probably where I got most of my experience from. Cars today though are very different but much of the basics is still the same. I just don't like getting as dirty under the car or bonnet anymore.

rayonline

1734 posts

Uber Geek

#2049465 5-Jul-2018 09:45

Aredwood:Problem is with a lot of the used imports. The Big service is either already due. Or will become due not long after buying the car.

True. A lot of JP imports have quite low mileage like 30k or 50k on the clock and they are 6 or 8yrs old. The cabin filter was quite a bit dusty so I am a bit suspicious. Anyway at 30k the larger servicing was not done, I have the VW service history paperwork. Things like engine oil and filter was done, brakes, tyres etc .. but not any of the belts or radiator flush etc, nor the transmission.

Even with modern Japanese cars some of them don't have a transmission dipstick, one had to be access behind the front wheel. I am not sure about Japanese cars but some Euro cars don't even have a engine oil dipstick now.

They call various stuff lifetime 10yrs like the coolant and the transmission - VW that is but even Toyota has been calling their transmission lifetime also. Some might rather say 5yrs or 100k. Anyhoo the timing belt, also the coolant when long life is used, same for transmission roughly - are roughly the same service intervals. Not the drive belts though.

1eStar

1604 posts

Uber Geek

#2049489 5-Jul-2018 10:12

GV27:
Some Toyotas of old would have combined engine/gearbox oil which made life simple.

Huh? Show me one. Maybe a 70 year old John Deere tractor.

1eStar

1604 posts

Uber Geek

#2049539 5-Jul-2018 10:23

Wiggum:
Replaced battery myself too. But what a mission it turned out to be when I found out that disconnecting the battery resets the cars computer, and idling etc.. Car just refused to idle properly anymore. I needed to take it in...

Best to use a battery saver to preserve all the electronics on a vehicle these days. One such device involves plugging a lead into the cig plug with ignition on. Some of the jumpstart packs support this. Any battery supplier worth their salt will use a battery saver these days when they replace a battery.

Wiggum

1199 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2049573 5-Jul-2018 10:26

1eStar:
GV27:

Some Toyotas of old would have combined engine/gearbox oil which made life simple.

Huh? Show me one. Maybe a 70 year old John Deere tractor.

Never heard of such a Toyota, or car's that shares engine/gearbox oil. Old Minis maybe? Motorcycles yes. Engine oil is different stuff to transmission oil.

clevedon

1059 posts

Uber Geek

#2049574 5-Jul-2018 10:27

1eStar:
GV27:

Some Toyotas of old would have combined engine/gearbox oil which made life simple.

Huh? Show me one. Maybe a 70 year old John Deere tractor.

Yep, never heard of a Toyota with that, but the early Mini's, Morris etc had combined engine/gearbox oils.

Wiggum

1199 posts

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Inactive user

#2049576 5-Jul-2018 10:28

1eStar:
Wiggum:

Replaced battery myself too. But what a mission it turned out to be when I found out that disconnecting the battery resets the cars computer, and idling etc.. Car just refused to idle properly anymore. I needed to take it in...

Best to use a battery saver to preserve all the electronics on a vehicle these days. One such device involves plugging a lead into the cig plug with ignition on. Some of the jumpstart packs support this. Any battery supplier worth their salt will use a battery saver these days when they replace a battery.

Yea, learn something new every day. Thats a mistake learned for next time.

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