Do you work on your own car, or let the garage do things?

Nik · Post by **Nik** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 9:57 am

I do as much as I can but there are some things I wouldn't even bother trying. As said befor, it helps to have a few people around that can help and give advice.

Post by **Ben** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 11:40 am

If I had a garage I would do it myself - however I am afraid to admit - I don't get my hands dirty - I'm perfectly happy to pay premier prices for specialists because I know whatever is done will be problem free - I remember seeing the look on gareths face when his hardwork had caused an issue - I prefer to be able to shout at someone when things don't work.

I have however set the criteria for my next house which is a double garage - I will then buy a complete toolset and source myself an RB26 - then start learning all about it.

stockcar · Post by **stockcar** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 11:45 am

depends on how busy i am with work, don't often get as much time as i'd like these days to do my own- i generally get the guys in the 'garage' to do it, always friendly and normally get a "freebie"!!!

oh, hang on a minute, do you think its cause i pay there wages??? 8)

RX7 · Post by **RX7** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 4:44 pm

murano3 wrote: I remember seeing the look on Gareths face when his hardwork had caused an issue

Hmm, still not convinced it was the bits I had done but the bits I had paid to be done, but nevermind.

I think the main factor is having the garage to work on it. Mine was left in bits for a few weeks while I was able to source parts and fix it.

Dont think there is a right or wrong answer.

Luckily the Big Power garage is available if needed !!!

Turbosnatch · Post by **Turbosnatch** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 11:50 pm

I try to do as much as I can, now that I have the tools I do my own oil and fluid changes. I can do minor stuff. I can change a headgasket too. Pretty new to the mitsubishi so learning more as I go along. Sometimes I have trouble with some things as being a fairly slim woman I dont have the strength. So my hubby bought us power tools and there's not much you cant get off with liquid wrench.
Like I say I do try to do stuff myself but what I cant do, my husband can so he helps me out a lot and saves me a lot of money with things like clutch changes, tuning and internal work. He also fitted mt new brakes for me this weekend, so I learnt something new. I also fitted my new 65'c thermostat. Next week im going to attempt to fit my DMP tubilar manifold ive been liquid wrenching the old one, bolts and studs for like three weeks now so i'm praying it comes off with ease and i dont damage the studs.

Post by **maff** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:18 am

I give most things a go myself, it helps when the car your working on isnt your only car and it can be off the road for a couple of weeks. It helps further having brothers in law that are mechanics for a living and can help when i do 'clever' things. I recently rebuilt the head... took a good month to get it done, but im chuffed to have done it myself and the cars now done 500miles so i think i got it right :?

Right now im working on mapping the standard ecu, ive coded some software for editing the maps and ive got some time at APT this sat to play on the rolling road

all good fun.

slaphead · Post by **slaphead** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:49 pm

Some things I will do including boost controllers / wiring / basic nutting and bolting type stuff

but to be frank it's matter of I've been there done that [insert long list of rebuilt motors] and dropped enough gearboxes on my head to develop a healthly adversion to laying on a cold garage floor :roll:

~Mark

Silver R33 GTR · Post by **Silver R33 GTR** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 10:02 pm

I do everything on my car, then if it goes wrong I know exactly who's ass to kick.

The only thing I paid to have done was the mapping, which im very glad I did. An extra 90+hp just off a remap

I will then buy a complete toolset and source myself an RB26 - then start learning all about it.

Just dont buy cheap tools though, cause they always break. Pay alot more but only buy them once, trust me.

Turbosnatch · Post by **Turbosnatch** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:00 am

Im too stupid to do my own wiring. I can solder, not a problem, im just afraid il fry something or mess something up. I tell people to show me which wire goes where, that way if it's wrong, they get the blame lol.

Silver R33 GTR · Post by **Silver R33 GTR** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:46 am

Doing your own work is good and bad;

Good because you save money, you know what exactly has been done to the car and you learn a hell of a lot.

Bad because after doing something major any little noise you hear you think something has gone wrong and start to question your own work, but in the end its normally my imagination.

If you know nothing about what is involved in a car and just put your faith in a mechanic who is supposed to know about it then that also had good and bad points from my experience. Im now baffling on and boring myself, time for sleep, work in 5hrs :x