Pursuing a hobby

R2MyOldWorld · Post by **R2MyOldWorld** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 1:17 am

Lately I have been getting interested in cars a lot. And I don't mean interest in car racing or planning to buy a new car. But more like knowing how things work and DIY kind of stuff. Lately I have changed filters (cabin as well as engine air filters - the ones that are re-usable K&N types) myself. Planning to buy OBD2 code reader (doing some research on which one to buy). Finished reading how Cooling system works. If I had a garage I would do more maintenance type of work myself - like oil changes and tire rotation and things like that. Not to save money (though wouldn't mind it) but I found out that I kind of like doing it and it could turn into my hobby .

So, I was thinking why not go for some crash course in Automobile training and see where it takes me. Any auto geeks or 'DIY'rs on the forum?

GutsyGibbon · Post by **GutsyGibbon** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 3:46 am

No geek, buy I buy used, and try to spruce it up. Things like oil/filter change, fluid refills, changing brake pads, rotors are very simple and very necessary. Nothing wrong with saving a few $s by these DIY jobs. All you need is a ramp in Walmart for $25. You can always put good stuff like ceramic brake pads instead of rusty iron OEM pads. performance air filters, & performance exhausts. There are model specific videos for each DIY jobs. And model specific repair manuals. Do what is necessary, and on features you enjoy. I had put extra sound proofing material into the doors and the floor of my cheap ass Civic, and one of my friends said my car was quieter than his Camry. Such moments make your car unique and the effort very fulfilling. You dont need a garage for an oil change or any of these.

If high school kids with basic training can become technicians, with the right info (online research, manuals etc) we can do a much better job. Also can be assured of the quality of materials and parts used in the job. Just start small make sure you do not bite more than what you can chew.

R2MyOldWorld · Post by **R2MyOldWorld** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 4:35 am

GutsyGibbon
Thanks. Yes, I intend to go slow. My next goal is to do a oil change myself, need to buy that ramp. Wont be whole lot cheaper than what I already do (buy good quality fully synthetic oil and long life oil filter at the best price at Walmart and pay a mechanic $10 to do change it, whole thing costs me about $45, same thing would cost me close to $100 at dealer or one of those jiffy lube places) but it will be good to do it by myself.

After I replaced regular engine air filter with specialized K&N filter, there is a noticeable difference in my car's mileage (about 1.5 to 2 miles a gallon, I drive about 80 miles a day on a route with same traffic pattern every weekday and my car displays the mileage so I know that there is definitely a increased mileage). I might just get little brave and go one step ahead and put in new air intake supercharger system. We'll see.

Also, I think dealers are rip offs. Toyota and Lexus dealers quoted me $1400 for timing belt/water pump change. I got the OEM kit from eBay for $300 and will pay another $300 to get the work done. Would have loved to do it myself but it would be too much to ask for without any experience and tools for such a critical job. May be in few years.

Chakraan · Post by **Chakraan** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 7:53 am

All I can do with my cars is washing and cleaning. No idea what is there below the bonnet.

So I don't take any risk of driving old cars as I can't fix it. Once my car's headlight blown and took it the dealer. They charge me $85 for labor and $10 for the bulb + TAX. I wish you were my neighbor and we could fix it over a can of beer which would cost me only $8.

When I was FOB in US, I was sweating to fill AIR in the tires.I was afraid that the tire will be blown like a balloon if I put extra air.Saw a Indian guy was running the gas station store. I asked him can you please help me. That Gujju guy told me Bhaiya, this is America, all work you have to do by yourself :(

The AIR system is still so primitive in US. In Bangalore someone will do it for you and it has auto cut after he sets the pressure.You pay Rs. 2 for that great service.

These American people have this in born quality to fix cars which we never had to do in India.

ycl1688 · Post by **ycl1688** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 6:17 pm

Chakraan;464157All I can do with my cars is washing and cleaning. No idea what is there below the bonnet.

So I don't take any risk of driving old cars as I can't fix it. Once my car's headlight blown and took it the dealer. They charge me $85 for labor and $10 for the bulb + TAX. I wish you were my neighbor and we could fix it over a can of beer which would cost me only $8.

When I was FOB in US, I was sweating to fill AIR in the tires.I was afraid that the tire will be blown like a balloon if I put extra air.Saw a Indian guy was running the gas station store. I asked him can you please help me. That Gujju guy told me Bhaiya, this is America, all work you have to do by yourself :(

The AIR system is still so primitive in US. In Bangalore someone will do it for you and it has auto cut after he sets the pressure.You pay Rs. 2 for that great service.

These American people have this in born quality to fix cars which we never had to do in India.

you have to diy on certain easy to do work and this is computer age, google for it.

ycl1688 · Post by **ycl1688** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 6:49 pm

R2MyOldWorld;464156GutsyGibbon
Thanks. Yes, I intend to go slow. My next goal is to do a oil change myself, need to buy that ramp. Wont be whole lot cheaper than what I already do (buy good quality fully synthetic oil and long life oil filter at the best price at Walmart and pay a mechanic $10 to do change it, whole thing costs me about $45, same thing would cost me close to $100 at dealer or one of those jiffy lube places) but it will be good to do it by myself.

After I replaced regular engine air filter with specialized K&N filter, there is a noticeable difference in my car's mileage (about 1.5 to 2 miles a gallon, I drive about 80 miles a day on a route with same traffic pattern every weekday and my car displays the mileage so I know that there is definitely a increased mileage). I might just get little brave and go one step ahead and put in new air intake supercharger system. We'll see.

Also, I think dealers are rip offs. Toyota and Lexus dealers quoted me $1400 for timing belt/water pump change. I got the OEM kit from eBay for $300 and will pay another $300 to get the work done. Would have loved to do it myself but it would be too much to ask for without any experience and tools for such a critical job. May be in few years.

be careful with oil change, make sure the drain plug is not stripped when installed and the fill cap is in place and the oil filter is tighten, these are simple things to do. As for OBD2 code reader,
if you want to test for code, autozone and certain auto parts stores will test it for you for free.

Chakraan · Post by **Chakraan** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 7:44 pm

ycl1688;464189you have to diy on certain easy to do work and this is computer age, google for it.

A little knowledge is dangerous thing.

I want to get formal basic training first. Car is a matter of death and life. I am a DIY guy but I don't mess with the cars.

R2MyOldWorld · Post by **R2MyOldWorld** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 7:54 pm

Chakraan;464204A little learning is dangerous thing.

I want to get formal basic training first. Car is a matter of death and life. I am a DIY guy but I don't mess with the cars.

Chakraan, you dont need a formal training for a some of the things that you can do by yourself. like that headlight job you paid $85 to fix. Next time you need it fixed let me know. Send me a plane ticket, I will fly down to TX and fix it for you. Beer is on me :))

R2MyOldWorld · Post by **R2MyOldWorld** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 7:56 pm

ycl1688;464194be careful with oil change, make sure the drain plug is not stripped when installed and the fill cap is in place and the oil filter is tighten, these are simple things to do. As for OBD2 code reader,
if you want to test for code, autozone and certain auto parts stores will test it for you for free.

You are right. The drain is the thing that has prevented me from doing it so far. I was looking at some oil drain valve, You don't have to take it off and put it back on. Just flip the switch to drain it and put it back after its drained. Any experience with that?
http://www.amazon.com/Fumoto-F-108-Engine-Drain-Valve/dp/B003VCCUJI/ref=sr_1_14?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1341800757&sr=1-14&keywords=oil+change+kit

Chakraan · Post by **Chakraan** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 8:15 pm

R2MyOldWorld;464205Chakraan, you dont need a formal training for a some of the things that you can do by yourself. like that headlight job you paid $85 to fix. Next time you need it fixed let me know. Send me a plane ticket, I will fly down to TX and fix it for you. Beer is on me :))

It was not that easy. To open the head light assembly, I needed to open the front bumper . Now a days these modern cars are very complicated and computer controlled. That was what the dealer told me.

This was the head light