If you are thinking about taking on a DIY car repair, there are some things you should consider. As a master tech, I am all for DIY car repairs, just be sure you are equipped to get the job done.
For full show notes visit the blog at;
Sponsor of the day ~
Join me today as we discuss:
DIY Oil Change Video ~
Do you have the time for a DIY car repair?
Do you have the tools for a DIY car repair?
Do you have the space for a DIY car repair?
Do you have the know how for a DIY car repair?
Do you know where to get the infomation?
What is the potential risk for injury?
And a bonus you will have to watch the video for 😉
Why I have a mech unit on my table
and more
Humble Mechanic Podcasts
Failed VW parts videos
Tool Reviews
How To videos
MK1 VR6 Swap Videos
Follow me on:
The Blog
GOOD STUFF ON AMAZON
(affiliate)
Likes: 896
Views: 54543
Great
Great points. I'm a diy guy
Safety, GREAT POINT!
My 'under the car' days are over and I have a lift. Reach-ins only for me.
Time and Money are my considerations. Knowing my limitations and then deciding if tackling the job or paying what I call a convenience fee is in order.
Paying labor is not bad when you know what needs to be done.
Some shop rates are a low as $65 an hour around here.
Just blindly going to a Dealer and saying "Fit It" invokes Service Manager Freedom to enact full Retail upon you as they under pressure to perform.
Going to the Dealer or Indy and stating what you want done makes the visit very pleasant for both of you.
… i hate being that backup guy. i always get calls, josh i tried to do this my self…
Biggest concern for DIY:
HAving proper tools
Knowing my way around the problem I suspect
Being able to do it in my visitor parking lot in my apartment building.I can get away with a lot, my 99 PAssat 1.8t has a vacuum leak and running lean (full bank so not just a cylinder/piston/ring). Gotta track it down. I should be able to manage.
My 2005 Altima has a failing/failed oil pump, that particular engine requires removal of head, oil pan, motor mounts, front belts/timing chain. Much less liikely I can spend the days doing it, likely longer as nothing car repair goes as planned, especially older ones. So looking for a buddy wih a driveway who wont mind. The pump is about a hundred bucks, but will check all engine internals,since I;ll be inthere,m and may find new things that should be replaced. Not to mentionit already needeed new engine mounts, new acesssory belt tenioner, and should get water pump while in there (lalternqtor doing fine, and easy to changer later.).
Although,m I have successfully done oil changes and complete coolant flushes in the parking lot without issue…..the VW took 7 rounds as I could only only esacuae about half the coolant at a time. Nissan tookk 4, as I could get 75% of the coolant per flush.
Just got a 50ft outdoor rated 12gauge extension cord, so it will out last the breaker and allow me to use 15aamp power tools. My balcony is about 40 feet off the ground. So onna utilize that till I get yelled and have to stop. Better to beg forgiveness than ask for permission!
I'm from South Africa , and taking your car to the dealership is almost a risk nowadays. We had a lot of trouble with our Toyota as well as our Nissan after taking it to the dealership and when we confronted them they just made excuses. 1* They forgot to torque down the cylinder head and this caused the head gasket to blow. 2*They used the wrong connector for the air-con coil which led to the wire coming lose and shorting out the water temp sensor. Keep in mind that this was the dealership, not just some backyard mechanic.I prefer doing my own DIY repairs ( doing it right with the correct components) I am currently studying mechanical engineering and also find it educational as well as a good hobby. It is less expensive and you learn a bunch of skills that you otherwise wouldn't have had the chance to learn. Especially with the cheap diagnostic readers and thing you get from china it has become more viable to do most repairs DIY.
I actually do the opposite. I take my car to get oil, filter, fluid changes and rotations done because they are just too mundane and need to be done frequently. Why strain myself by lifting the car up, kneeling on the ground or pulling myself up for that crap? Of course, I won't change an engine or transmission, but I'll do brakes, suspension work, driveability stuff, and electrical. And I may tear my hair out; but it's satisfying in the end. Nothing satisfying about oil changes.
I think about what happens if you break something in the process, making it unable to put the wheel/s back on. How would i even get it towed somewhere?
that's my attitude, ooo I need to fix that and I get to buy new tools, bonus.
I think the biggest motivator for someone trying to fix their own vehicle or doing anything themselves is COST!!! I just replumbed my entire kitchen drain system from the sink trap all the way down to the main sewage stack in the basement. I did it because I didn't have $5,000+ for a plumber to do it. But I could spend $150 on materials and a couple of pizzas for my 2 buddies to help me with it.