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.
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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?
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I wanted to flush my cooling system in my Mazda 6. Still had the genuine coolant in it. Rang one of those radiator shops who told me – maybe better off staying with the genuine stuff.
Ok. So I ring the Mazda spares dept. and ask how much for the bottle?
"$200" … Yikes!
Getting a little tight for time to do it as well.
Next I ring the dealer's service Dept.
"How much to do the flush?"
"$160"
"When can you do it?"….
They did it a few days later.
Sometimes just not worth doing it yourself…..
Even for jobs that I have to buy EVERY tool, I still come out ahead on labor and can do other repairs or maintenance along the way that saves me time and money in the future. I also get to be selective about the replacement parts I use or can go dig around the boneyard for suitable replacements that would otherwise cost more if bought new.
Great tips all around. These videos are becoming some of my favorites lately. Thanks.
The safety can be a big one. I had my rear brakes fail. This would have been an easy repair for me, I had access to all my dads tools and that would let me replace the pads, the rotor, the caliper, all properly and with full safety precautions.
But I was 30 miles from home, and a couple hundred yards from Firestone.
So it's not just that your work area is set up to do it safely- depending on where the failure occurs, even if the car will move under its own power, getting it to your work area might not be safe. Don't try to push it, especially with something like your brakes.
All I try and think about is all the money I am saving. The valley pan was quoted 7hrs and valve cover gaskets quoted 5 on my v8 e39. Its like half of the same job ffs and they want to double up on hours. I gave in and paid them for an inspection because I'm sick of throwing parts at it. Doing all the steering components too. Saves me about 2500 bucks. While I make 30-40/hr I can't justify hired help. Paying people to do tradeswork is for the rich and lazy. Saving an e39 from a scrapyard has to be done.
How big of a pain in the ass is the job! (includes things I have to take apart, thing that can go wrong, special tools needed)
For an example, I wouldn't do an oil change because: 1 oil can spill everywhere. 2 I can't just throw the oil out. 3 I need those oil catch pans that I don't have.
Biggest thing I consider is can I afford to have someone else do it? When the mechanic is charging $300 for an easy brake job on my '02 Regal, and I can do it in 2 hours with no special tools, there's not much of a reason not to use up 2 hours of my Saturday to save $300.
I consider:
1) Parts cost and availability. Subaru EJ25/4EAT use a lot of special Subaru-only fluids to keep running 100%. And around me, the effective labor cost for an oil change is less that $10 after factoring in oil, filter, and coupon – I'll pay somebody that to not get my hands dirty.
2) Potential downside. Brakes have a large potential downside, so I pay someone. Spark plugs? Not really, and the labor charge is obnoxiously high (2 hours!!!), so I do those.
I own a 02 saturn. every job takes less than a hour. and i do my repairs on the street. everybody who dosent like it can kiss ass!
I'm fucking DONE with diy repairs on my car beyond changing the oil or radio or whatever. I'm so. Fucking. Sick. And. Fucking. Tired of running into BULLSHIT.
FUCK saving money, I'm going to have a mental breakdown and toss my fucking socket through my windshield, not worth it.
well, when i blew my head gaskets in my truck, i thought about a couple things.
1. do i think i can do this repair
2. do i have friends who have experience in this field that i can call for help.
3. do i have the time to do this repair.
the most in depth repair i had ever done prior to this one was a water pump. so i really had no idea what i was doing. haynes manual fixed that problem. i have a few buddies in the auto world who can give me advice should i get stumped. i had access to another vehicle so time really wasn't a problem.
i had a few advantages though. i have always had a knack for repairing machines, i had a big garage and a bunch of tools (they are an addiction) and not only do i have tow truck driver friends, i am a part time driver as well. i managed to repair my engine and i felt so happy, i couldnt wait to do another major repair (careful guys. it gets addicting)