OK Folks, Question Time

"Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire" (arch-duke-maxyenko)
10/08/2013 at 13:45 • Filed to: Question

Who here does maintenance work yourself? Oil, filters, fluids, tire rotation, brakes, belts and hoses, etc. Not take it somewhere to have some jackoff do it. People claim convenience and groupon deals, but, how do you know what you're getting? Car porn above for your time.

DISCUSSION (43)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 13:47

I normally get a good deal on synthetic blend at advance auto parts for a 5 quart change for only $20-25. I don't know anyone that will do a synthetic blend at that cost. And they take back your used oil for free (and they are actually the ones that are supposed to dump it in the waste bin don't let them try and make you do it)

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 13:47

Grimace: I do it all.
Wife's Enlave: I take it to a local Firestone for oil changes (mainly because I don't want to take off all the plastic BS to get to the oilpan/filter), it's coming due for brakes and I'll do those.
Other vehicles we've owned: I've done the maintenance on them.

Brewman15 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 13:48

I've done all the maintenance on all my cars for about the last decade. The only things I do not do are things I cannot do or prefer to have a professional do like alignment, A/C system refill, tire mounting & balancing, etc...

I've been burned too many times in the past with shoddy works at mechanics. I prefer to do it myself.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Brewman15
10/08/2013 at 13:49

You and me both.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/08/2013 at 13:52

I go full synthetic Mobil 1 High Mileage, with good filters. At 7 quarts, it gets pricey, but I know what I'm getting and it has banished all of the sludge that was there from Castrol Conventional.

EL_ULY > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 13:53

I've been turning wrenches from old dusty gas station service centers to high end dealerships. Multi master tech, ASE master plus L1 (which means nothing trust me). I'll be damned if I let some neck tattooed 17 year old with two kids change my oil at Wal Mart

Pure87 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 13:56

I do as much as I can with my limited experience and tools (this is my first car, so I do a lot of tool borrowing). I'm a member of a few forums and clubs dedicated to the make of my car and I reach out to them whenever I need some advice on repairs or upgrades. Through them, I've found a bunch of online stores that specialize in parts for my car and generally sell them for much cheaper than the dealer does. If I don't have the correct tools or a repair/upgrade isn't going as planned, I'll take it to a local indy shop.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 13:56

If anything needs to be done/fixed on my car I'll do it myself. Well almost.. I won't touch the transmission or any computerized gadgets, but other than that I'll do it myself.

Sn210 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 13:57

I'll try anything I'm not afraid of breaking. I've done brakes and a sway bar upgrade and I've also removed my front bumper clip for various things. I also detail it myself. I did take it to somebody to change my transmission fluid (drain plug on the side, need syringe). As far as oil changes, I'm not allowed to do that in my driveway per my neighborhood's Home Owners Association. Oh and I also tried to replace the windshield in my old Wrangler, but that didn't go too well... I did replace the shock in that and install an air intake. The Jeep was much easier to work on than my Civic

hike > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 13:58

For the past 5 years I've done all the work on my car myself. Fortunately it hasn't needed anything major, but I have access to a shop with a lift and tires machine so I could do anything but an alignment if I had to. I try to work on the family cars too, but sometimes we get deals on oil changes for cheaper than I could do it for so sometimes I say screw it and have someone else do the oil change on my mom's car.

RotaryLover > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 13:58

I do everything but the oil change. Sometimes I need a lift so while they change my oil, I check the condition of the components under the car or by plain laziness.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Pure87
10/08/2013 at 13:58

Just slowly start accumulating the tools you need. Eventually you'll be set.

JEM > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 13:58

I'll do all the fluid stuff, hoses, occasional belt, and some other simple stuff but I bring it to my local mechanic for brakes and suspension stuff like that. Or things like replacing a radiator in the dead of winter when I don't have a garage.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Sn210
10/08/2013 at 13:59

Find a parking lot for the oil change.

desertdog5051 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 13:59

I do 95% of my maintenance. I use Mobil 1 and Amsoil filters so I know what I am getting. For a period of time years ago I took my car to a Shell service center for oil changes. Until this zit faced kid stripped the drain plug. I only take it somewhere if I can't do the work myself.

cbell04 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 13:59

I do everything but the oil.. Know its crazy but have a trustworthy shop that does it for 15 bucks so when it comes to saving 5-10 not worth it to me. In and out. Other than that have only had a couple wheel bearings that I had to pay to have replaced (pressed in) some alignments and wheels mounted and balanced in 15 years of owning all sorts of cars. Even did my own clutch with little to no instruction or help on my Maxima although that was a bitch..

Z_Stig > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 14:01

Everything myself. From basic maintenance to advanced repairs, it helps to save every penny I can.

ddavidn > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 14:01

As with many others here, I do as much as possible and sometimes more. I can change fluids, wheels/tires, battery, all that normal stuff and have also done quite a bit of wiring underneath my dash. I have ventured into replacing bolt-on components now, as I have no money to pay a mechanic. Changed my alternator, going to change the subaru's radiator, etc. Subaru also needs belts, and I've never done that but I'm going to be doing that research this week... I tried to replace my fuel injectors once, and that went less than perfectly. It still drives, though...

Had I more money, I would always take the subaru (wife's car) to someone who knew what they were doing. And I'd get someone to help me with mine, because I like working on it but also don't want to bork it up.

Nibbles > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 14:05

I do everything except alignments, frame work and body work. Electrical, mechanical, interior, whathaveyou - if it can be done in the driveway, it's done in the driveway.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > ddavidn
10/08/2013 at 14:05

Get yourself a copy of 101 Performance Projects for Your BMW 3 Series 1982-2000

Sn210 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 14:06

I was going to one time, but after I priced it out to do it myself, it cost about the same to have the shop do it. Plus they get rid of the old stuff.

rabbitman > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 14:08

Depends, on how I am feeling that day, I do it myself, Bring it to a Family member who is a Mechanic, or the Dealership. I always buy extended warranty's so can't make warranty claims on your own handy work... been ripped off to many times at little shops, if you caught my post on the FP about this similar question,that is one example.
I came from a family where grandpa even took the my Aunts out and showed them how to change the oil and do the breaks, we all like to tinker. I have built about 5 SBC's helping friends do projects a few miscellaneous 4's, actually. Started at bare blocks from the machine shop, done a lot.
But the last time I changed my oil was a while ago, either I had a faulty filter or pissed some off, a week later my car started pissing oil, I thought I cracked my block since it was pissing so bad and couldn't find the leak, oil everywhere. Ended up my filter had a big ol hole in it, either something or someone punctured it.

Right now I am debating to do the transmission myself or pay 600 for a year warranty on the install and tranny, tough choice.
Also my next new car I buy, will most likely have all service provided free for the first few years. Glad car manufactures have figured that out. want high resale? make sure they are maintained properly.

man I can go on and on and on...

ddavidn > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 14:09

I think I've seen that. It was mostly upgrades though, and I'm just trying to keep my car running... The Bentley manual is very helpful.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 14:11

I normally get a good deal on the castrol edge high mileage blend. I normally get the higher level purolator (pure one? yellow one with grippy outside) filter, though sometimes i'll score a deal for a K&N one.

TBH Purolator makes most of the filters anyhow, they just get rebranded....looking at you motorcraft....

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > ddavidn
10/08/2013 at 14:12

It really helps with that, too. Nice color pics, good estimate of labor, very helpful. Only a bit of it is upgrades. As one e36 owner to another, its a good buy.

ddavidn > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 14:14

Cool. I'll re-think about that one. Want to come over and help me fix everything? :D

More Power!!and also some brakes. > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 14:36

It is a certain point of pride for me to never pay anyone to turn a bolt on my car. There have been 4 people put a wrench on my TL: Me, my wife, my brother and one of my good friends.

Bruno Martini > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 14:37

Maintenance and repairs can be done at home. I just did the plugs/wires/disy cap on a 04 astro with 130k on the clock. Man what a bear of a job, had to remove the pasenger seat, lower dash and the dog house to get to the wires and caps. The plugs were a bear too. She runs much better, but she will be getting a new fuel pump hopefully this coming saturday, if that does not fix the hesitation out comes the sea/lower dash/doghouse and the intake plenum to get to the spider injectors and regulator which will be getting replaced if things dont go well. Oh and I have to clean the MAF on it. For other cars, I have done bolt on parts including suspension and big brake kit on a 07 mustang. By suspension I mean it all from springs, to lca's to watts link to uca to shocks. Working on your car can be a very rewarding meditation and exercise in patience. It can leave you with body aches and pains for days and black fingernails and bloody knuckles.

I would not have it any other way.

Oh and forgot to mention fluids oil/trans/diff/rad - done them all. All the filters possible as well.

Checkin' Pockets > ddavidn
10/08/2013 at 14:51

Aren't u in sarasota? If so im not far lol.

Checkin' Pockets > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 14:55

I do lots of little stuff and some major but have gotten used to buyimg the oil and filter and letting my shop do it. Its cheap and easy that way. Shocks, brakes, rotation, plugs and wires and lots of other projects are all me. If I run into something that scares me I may pay for it.

Squid > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 14:57

Wally world has the 5 qt. jugs of Mobil 1 for around $25. If you do your own it is worth it to buy a couple of those. You probably still come out ahead and have 3 qts left for your next change.

Squid > Pure87
10/08/2013 at 15:00

Sears can be a good companion when you need tools for a one time use. Also if there is a harbor freight by you they are relatively cheap but you do get what you pay for with them. They do have an awesome return policy though, if the tool you bought breaks or is generally crap which happens a lot, you can just return it. Tools last a life time and are worth accumulating. They end up paying for themselves in the end. Lets say a repair job would cost you $500 at a shop, but to do it yourself, the part only costs $100, you can take that extra $400 and put into tools and you will be better off.

ddavidn > Checkin' Pockets
10/08/2013 at 15:01

Ah, you almost couldn't have picked a further away place in our country! I'm in Seattle...

Squid > Sn210
10/08/2013 at 15:02

If you get an evacuator it all comes out the dipstick tube and all you need to worry about is getting the filter changed cleanly. None would be the wiser if you did it that way. Plus less mess and never having to remove your drain plug. . .

Squid > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 15:08

I do my maintenance myself. For most jobs I'm doing them my self, unless it involves pulling an automatic tranny. Fuck that, I'm not doing that with out a lift. I've done pretty much every job except a full motor swap when I was working in a service department before the great auto colapse.

I recently did the timing belt and water pump on my Miata. Brakes are easy peasy, oil changes are a breeze, electrical work is a pain in the ass, pretty much any job can be done by a home mechanic that has the tools and the proper literature to do the job correctly with out bunging it up.

I am a huge supporter of not doing a big job with out a service manual. I think it is stupid to go blindly at a job with out a set of instructions so there aren't any surprises of broken parts because you removed parts in the wrong order.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > ddavidn
10/08/2013 at 15:11

Sure, just fly me out there

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Squid
10/08/2013 at 15:23

I've had a great experience with all my Craftsman tools....and I have quite a few of them!

Squid > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/08/2013 at 15:26

Sorry, poor separation of my points. Craftsman tools are not bad, it is the Harbor Freight ones that are iffy. My only gripe with Craftsman tools is that the base generic ones hurt your hands if you use them constantly and need to put a lot of torque on a fastener that is stuck. The sharp edges dig into your hands and I have gotten really sore hands before from using them day in and day out. But for sporadic use there are no better tools to buy at the price point.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Squid
10/08/2013 at 15:33

OK makes more sense now.

I wear ....you guessed it Craftsman gloves while working on the cars. I slipped off a wrench one day under my old blazer and got 4 stitches in my right middle finger middle knuckle (that was hard to follow lol). After that I figured I might as well use the gloves. I only ever take one off for real tiny screws and they have bolstered spots on them for the "danger zones" and also no more cut in from the Craftsman tools.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 15:59

I do pretty much everything on all of the cars. The only car I've put into the garage has been the Alfa, and that's only for bastard jobs I can't do over the weekend (or need specialist tools for) as it's my daily driver. Things like putting new CV boots on the driveshafts (don't have a machine to pull them over the joint), a new clutch (it's a bastard job on 156s) and getting the timing belt changed (another bastard job as the V6 is really wedged in the front).

I'd attempt these myself if I had another car to reliably get me to work each day, but I haven't got one at the moment. If I had, it'd save me the £900 bill from the 120k service I had done.

DocWalt > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 16:45

It's gotten to the point where I don't even trust getting my car aligned at a shop anymore. "Oh, sir, your strut mounts are bad!" not when I replaced them ~1 month ago. Then they didn't even get the alignment right, it pulled and the steering was off center.

I now have an engine being reassembled in my basement...

GRawesome > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2013 at 18:14

I do everything on my cars (3 classics and a new car) and take my wife's to our very trusted mechanic. If I didn't have a very good mechanic, then I would probably do her car myself too. But working on her car is just boring to me, it's just 4 wheels and a body. So knowing someone I trust can take care of that stuff frees up more time to work on the cars I enjoy working on.

McLarry > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/10/2013 at 14:27

Lately I've started doing stuff myself again...In my early college days I'd change my own oil, brakes, plugs, etc, but for the past several years I've been more on the "I'd rather pay somebody who can do it faster than spend all day on it myself". Especially while I was doing grad school full time while also working full time, or if I was working a lot of overtime...working on your car can be a joyful experience, but really only if it's something you want to do. I'm finally getting back to the point that I have the time to appreciate it (or am willing to make the time). I'll admit I was also a bit afraid my Saab would be a bear to work on, but so far everything has been easier on that car than any of my previous cars.