Think I am done dabbling in DIY auto work


 
LMichaels

LMichaels

TVWBB 2-Star Olympian
So, today I decided (because being able to schedule the RAV4 my wife uses for service) to DIY my oil/filter. Sorry this stuff is just becoming a PIA to me. First, gotta pull out ramps and or jack/jack stands, tools, catch pan(s), and so on. Today damn near screwed up the engine. I got everything done underneath. Decided to check for leaks so had grandson get in and start engine. Hearing it be louder than normal. Oh :poop: after about 30 seconds I realized I forgot to put the oil in. Of course had I gotten my lazy butt off the creeper and gone to start myself? I would have seen this. But nooooo let Blake do it. Luckily caught it as soon as I realized the motor was not happy (about 30-40 seconds). Shut down added oil no harm done (I hope). Nice and quiet again but now I've got all the waste oil and cleanup to deal with. Nah, I paid my dues. I'm over crawling under vehicles
Or maybe better yet I should get a 2nd electric one and then nothing but tire rotations basically
 
When we closed the shop and parts store, I got rid of all my tools except what I'd need to do normal around the house repairs. That was 23 years ago, and I have changed a couple of window regulators and a side view mirror since. Maintenance wise, air filters and cabin air filters. I did assist a friend in changing a transmission once and changed the oil and filter on my Sportster a couple of times before I totaled it. Just too easy to make an appointment for maintenance and an occasional repair.
 
I am the opposite, I will do my own auto maintenance until I can no longer can drive. I learned to do maintenance from my Dad, although I work as an Electrical Engineer, maintenance will always be in my blood.
I had a discussion at work 40 years ago with a co-worker who questioned why I bother changing my own oil, I stated because I don't trust the quick lube places. He replyed "how can they screw up an oil change". Fast forward several months he came to work with his head hung low and when I asked what was wrong he said "they screwed up an oil change". Apparently when putting the oil plug back on they overtightened it causing the threads in the oil pan to strip. My co-worker made the quick oil change place replace the oil pan as they wanted to put in an "oversize" oil plug.

About 15 years ago I was carpooling with another co-worker who had a flat tire on the tollway. We went out to change the tire but could not break the lug nuts loose as they were on too tight. We called a tow truck and he even could not break the lug nuts loose so he went back to his truck to get out the largest lug wrench that he had. Fortunately that busted the lug nuts loose.

When I questioned my co-worker why they were on so tight he said that he had some work done to his car and the mechanic must have used an impact gun on the lug nuts.

As doing my own maintenance I not only torque my lug nuts to the manufacture's spec but I also wire brush/antizeeze the hub so that if I am in a situation where I need to change a flat tire I am certain that I will be able to get the old tire off.

BTW, I typically get over 200K miles out of my cars. My wifes last car lasted 196K miles and my current car has 242K miles.
 
I always have done and will continue to do most of my own maintenance, but these days major work is more likely to get handed off to a shop. They have the time and in some cases the experience I can't match; this year I'm having 1 rear end rebuilt, a couple of CV axles replaced, some new struts installed ("quick struts" aren't available so the shop will disassemble the old ones and install new cartridges), and who knows what else. I think there are some front shocks and swaybar bushings in there as well, and while those are easy to do I might as well have them done at the same time as the other stuff. And just today a I ordered a new scantool to help with some fuel injection detective work.

I've always had a soft spot for older cars and trucks, but now after 4 years selling parts and seeing how complex vehicles have become my next "new" car is definitely going to be older!
 
I spent too many years doing as a professional. Now with neck, back, and nerve injuries, and hell face it I'm gettin' up there. Plus it's getting damn hard to get rid of waste fluids, I need to chase all over town looking for a joint that'll take the stuff. I just have better things to do with my time.
As Lilly Von Shtup says in Blazing Saddles..................."Let's Face it"! I'm Tired!"
Hell sometimes I think if I could drive the Kubota a few miles to the dealership I'd take it there (especially for the heavier maintenance) like is due this year. I'm only partially done. I've done engine oil, greased everything but the main drive shaft (but I have to maneuver a 450lb mower deck to get to it). Though while I am doing that, I'll do the full hydraulic system on it cleaning all the filter screens and changing the cartridge filter along with the like 4 gallons of hydro fluid, Did the mower deck's gear box oil change, and also still left to do, air filter (and clean housing), coolant flush/fill, PHEW! And then I think I will be done for another 2 years. (other than engine oil changes). Oh and I forgot the 2 fuel filters and water separator. Ugh! My back hurts already :D
Nah, I think the Toyota dealer can do the things to the car, and I'll keep it that way and hopefully she'll agree to getting another battery electric car.
I think I'm over gas engine vehicles :D
 
Sounds like I need to come over to your house and supervise. Wouldn't want you to overlook anything again.😁

Don't worry, I'll bring my own lawn chair and cooler. No need to do anything special for me, I'm happy to help.;)
 
Right, but, again, it's now chasing all over town, and the ones that take anything ONLY will take oil. It's a royal PIA actually. Not to mention on modern engines for example the coolant bleed procedure it arduous and sometimes requires the use of a specialized scan tool to complete.
My closest store for instance is 15-20 minutes each direction and in areas of town I typically don't go as part of a routine.. So honestly any savings really disappears. I'm just choosing which battles I want to fight and this is one, I honestly don't care to fight anymore. Beside, I got plenty to do maintaining the Kubota. I get all the wrenching I want with it. Difference of me going to the dealership and having the services done vs doing it at home is just not that great cost wise. Actually on fluid changes by the time I analyze my time, my wear and tear, extra miles and so on. It may actually turn negative and be more cost effective to have my dealer do the work. But, too, I have the luxury of having a very reasonable dealer, who typically does good work, at fair prices.
 
Larry if you have time could you check this set out and critique it for me. The Gearwrench 243 piece all 6 point set.
It gets first place in this competition video against the crap that's out there nowadays. It rates above average in all tests while having the strongest ratchet which I think is important and best selection of overall tools. Also finding a full 6-point set isn't easy. I'm leaning towards this set but still considering some vintage options.


Here's another video showing the selection in the set.
 
Honestly Josh I have used and own a few Gearwrench brand tools. I've honestly been impressed with the quality vs value quotient. I've not laid eyes on this particular set but if I were wanting one I don't think I'd look elsewhere unless I wanted to spend a lot more moola. I've also liked the Ikon brand they sell at Harbor Freight. Though I've not seen any "sets" of those.
As a side note you could simply take stock of tools you would like in a set. Then got to HF and put that together along with a small tool box.
 
Timothy F. Lewis said:
I’d rather spend that time making a feast!
Click to expand...
Yes! THIS! I'm just finding better things to do with my time $$$ and efforts. I spent too many years paying my dues, doing it on other folks cars while mine suffered due to lack of time. Then, spent many years doing my own. Now? While I still "can do" and know how, I just feel I have better things to do
 
Ray J. said:
I am the opposite, I will do my own auto maintenance until I can no longer can drive. I learned to do maintenance from my Dad, although I work as an Electrical Engineer, maintenance will always be in my blood.
I had a discussion at work 40 years ago with a co-worker who questioned why I bother changing my own oil, I stated because I don't trust the quick lube places. He replyed "how can they screw up an oil change". Fast forward several months he came to work with his head hung low and when I asked what was wrong he said "they screwed up an oil change". Apparently when putting the oil plug back on they overtightened it causing the threads in the oil pan to strip. My co-worker made the quick oil change place replace the oil pan as they wanted to put in an "oversize" oil plug.

About 15 years ago I was carpooling with another co-worker who had a flat tire on the tollway. We went out to change the tire but could not break the lug nuts loose as they were on too tight. We called a tow truck and he even could not break the lug nuts loose so he went back to his truck to get out the largest lug wrench that he had. Fortunately that busted the lug nuts loose.

When I questioned my co-worker why they were on so tight he said that he had some work done to his car and the mechanic must have used an impact gun on the lug nuts.

As doing my own maintenance I not only torque my lug nuts to the manufacture's spec but I also wire brush/antizeeze the hub so that if I am in a situation where I need to change a flat tire I am certain that I will be able to get the old tire off.

BTW, I typically get over 200K miles out of my cars. My wifes last car lasted 196K miles and my current car has 242K miles.
Click to expand...
I do my own maintenance for the same reasons. I know that there are good professional mechanics (one of my own sons is one), but I've also had to deal the aftermath of jack legs that pass themselves off as mechanics as well. Over-torquing is far too common, and I've had to deal with over torqued lug nuts, oil filters, oil plugs, as well as other screw-ups. I can screw stuff up for free, I don't need to pay someone to do that for me, thank you. In fact, if I am paying someone today's mechanic's rates, it better darn well be done correctly! I grew up doing my own auto maintenance because there was a time when I couldn't afford to pay someone. Yes, for major stuff (e.g, timing belts) I do try to find a reputable shop, but even that can be hit or miss sometimes. The only thing I let the local quick lube shop do is the annual state inspection, and even that they managed to screw up, breaking the OBD II connector by jerking their cable off of it as if they were cracking a whip.
 
Josh Dekubber said:
Larry it sounds like you're about ready for one of these

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Nope. I love the smell of diesel in the morning. Smells like............................lawn work :D Working on my Kubota is hard and time consuming but far more rewarding to me. It's just raw steel, noise, and smoke. It's like going back to the 60s. So, no, not giving up my Kubota diesel for an electric. But, the way cars are today? They might as well be electric and quite honestly I think for 80% of what we do every day as drivers I think electric is better all the way around.
 
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