car help - talk me through a service...

[HTH AMPS]

ok, so I'm pretty terrible when it comes to cars - I had to refer to the handbook on my old Clio to find the oil dipstick  :oops:  :lol:

I've got an old Punto which has served me well for the past year but it had no service history when I bought it and I ain't had it serviced either.

So, I'm looking to service it myself (how hard can it be right?)

Anyone?

 :twisted:

[Woogie]

I don't think you're allowed to service them yourself. We just take our M3 down to the nearest BMW garage, pay them some dosh and they service and clean it then give us back to service booklet with a new stamp thing in it.

[noodleplugerine]

Take it to Feline - I've heard they do good set ups.

[99_not_out]

Seriously HTH, if you don't know what you're doing (and you don't have enough cash for an M3 :p ) I would at least suggest getting your car serviced by a professional the first time round. Try to find an independent garage that will at least explain what they're doing so you have more of an idea next time round.

Most services are basically an oil change, other fluid level check, brake check and maybe an air filter change. That lot ain't that hard to do yourself once you know what's what.

To save on death, I would advise getting professional help the first time round though :)

[Twinfan]

Basic service is:

Oil and filter change
Air filter change
Spark plug change
Check levels
Check brakes

Depending on mileage, you may also need:

Coolant change
Brake fluid change
Cambelt change

The handbook for the car will tell you what needs changing when.  If you've got no service history and you're past the time/mileage for a cambelt change then get it done ASAP.  If they snap, it's bye bye top end of engine.

PM me with your number if you want a chat.  Cars/bikes are my other passion after guitars  :D

[Oli]

An oil change is something you can do pretty easily yourself, it's only marginally more complicated than:

1. Jack car up/put it on ramps/don't
2. Open the valve and drain old oil into a bucket
3. Close the valve and fill 'er up with new oil
4. Be amazed at how little oil you took out compared to how much should of been in there :p

You'll need to consult the handbook/Haynes Manual* to get the correct volume of oil and the correct type.

*I'd very strongly advise getting this for your car, you can probably find on for about £10-£15, and it'll guide you through how to do everything, including the above, in great detail- but easy to understand :)

[HTH AMPS]

An oil change is something you can do pretty easily yourself, it's only marginally more complicated than:

1. Jack car up/put it on ramps/don't
2. Open the valve and drain old oil into a bucket
3. Close the valve and fill 'er up with new oil
4. Be amazed at how little oil you took out compared to how much should of been in there :p

You'll need to consult the handbook/Haynes Manual* to get the correct volume of oil and the correct type.

*I'd very strongly advise getting this for your car, you can probably find on for about £10-£15, and it'll guide you through how to do everything, including the above, in great detail- but easy to understand :)

Ahh, so there is a bible on this stuff - Haynes manual it is then.  Seriously, I taught myself to build/mod valve amps from scratch, surely this couldn't be beyond me.

The cam belt has been checked by a mechanic mate of my Dad's mate, he says it's ok (writing is still showing and it seems fine).  I would ask him to do it but he's done alot on it lately and I think I've used up all my mileage with him (so to speak).  As far as I can gather, with my car being an 8v engine there wouldn't be any damage if the cam belt snapped.  However, on a 16v engine it would be screwed.

I think what basically needs doing is...

* oil change
* spark plugs ??? (why do these need replaced?)
* air filters

I know how to check the fluid on the brakes as it's the same compartment that controls the clutch - had an issue with that earlier in the year and couldn't get the thing in gear.  £120 later and some brake fluid, all was well.

Coolant, is this just anti-freeze & water or something entirely different?  I know my coolant was literally bubbling at xmas when my cooling fan failed to kick in (whoops).  I sorted that - was a broken wire in the wiring-harness.

Finally, the brakes are all fine and dandy - the discs were replaced last year when I bought it.  The guy showed me the failed MOT with pitted discs as the reason.  So, brake discs only a year old.  About four weeks ago I had the brake pads renewed as well since they were starting to, err, 'grind' (ouch!).

I'm really against paying £100+ for what seems basic work AND it's probably good stuff to know when you're driving a '98 Punto (not getting any younger, like me).

 :twisted:

[99_not_out]

More of an expert than you claim I see :)
Haynes manual available from your local library!
Oil, plugs and filters are the easy bits, so you should be fine with the manual.

[HTH AMPS]

lmao, I'd still say my car knowledge was 'basic' to put it mildly.

 :twisted:

[Woogie]

Basic service is:

Oil and filter change
Air filter change
Spark plug change
Check levels
Check brakes

Depending on mileage, you may also need:

Coolant change
Brake fluid change
Cambelt change

The handbook for the car will tell you what needs changing when.  If you've got no service history and you're past the time/mileage for a cambelt change then get it done ASAP.  If they snap, it's bye bye top end of engine.

PM me with your number if you want a chat.  Cars/bikes are my other passion after guitars  :D

So we pay 500£(or whatever it is) for them to just do that? I feel like we are getting ripped off now!!

[Oli]

For info regarding the spark plugs:

A spark plug is (wait for the crazy analogy........ wait for it!) not too dissimilar to a capacitor, you have two conductors, and a predefined gap between them. When the there is sufficient charge buildup on one of the conductors, there will be a discharge in the form of a spark that jumps the gap. Obviously in a capacitor it is much smaller, but they're kinda the same :p This spark that is generated is what causes the petrol and the oxygen to combust, which drives the piston out and the wheels round- getting you off the lights faster than the chavs with the '89 Vauxhall Nova next to you :) With all this arc'ing in that environment, you get oxidisation over time on the conductors of the spark plug.

More often than not, the spark plugs just need a clean- removing this oxidised layer which prevents the spark from happening. Fortunately, for a few quid you can buy a special file which will fit in the >1mm gap of the spark plug conductors to clean them.

You will need a decent, strong (read: not too cheapo) socket set to get the spark plugs out, as they are in pretty tight. If you're planning on doing a few housekeeping things to the car, you'll find a standard socket set invaluable :)

[_tom_]

Coolant, is this just anti-freeze & water or something entirely different?  I know my coolant was literally bubbling at xmas when my cooling fan failed to kick in (whoops).  I sorted that - was a broken wire in the wiring-harness.

:lol: Same thing happened to me! There was loads of smoke/steam coming out from underneath the bonnet, so I had a look inside and somehow the water from my tank had all leaked/exploded out and it was everywhere under the bonnet, all bubbling! I just filled it up with water again when it'd cooled down, but I think it should be mixed with anti-freeze.. not entirely sure though but my cars been fine ever since so I'm guessing its fine at the minute..

[HTH AMPS]

Oli, I seem to recall my Dad having a socket set somewhere - I'll 'borrow' it from him  :lol:

 :twisted:

[38thBeatle]

Haynes manuals are great- they even do one for Strats!

[blue]

Haynes manuals are great- they even do one for Strats!

do they do one for women?

(sorry, just had a very frustrating night out with a particular woman.  she needs a whole manual to herself!!)