I note that Colsa does his own servicing as do I.
I am mechanically minded and have done all my own servicing on both Van and Tug since I started driving and I wonder how many others do the same!.

EG. Service      Nissan Patrol, Ford Festiva and Regal Caravan.

Howdy Onedodger I have done my own servicing since I bought my first car had to could not a ford to have it done. These days I still do the oil change and grease up and any thing else I still can. If I have to have any thing done, by local garage we have an arrangement when they pull things apart they will usually let me have a look before they put it back together. It's just a thing I have I just like to know whats going on. Only been caught once in recent times, clutch started slipping on my GQ patrol when I was in Townsville couple of years ago asked them to put in new clutch 15000k's later clutch started slipping again, put it in to local garage all they would say is the other mob had changed the clutch plate. To me when you do a clutch you do new thrust bearing, new pressure plate , new clutch plate and machine fly wheel. That is why I do my own servicing I know what has been done and it gives me peace of mind. Sorry it is a bit long winded. Any way have a nice day Al

I wish I could do my own services, but caravan parks take a dim view of this sort of activity. Then there's the annoying matter of not being able to do it all. I do keep check on the basics, and am very aware how "Rosy" behaves. Then I can diagnose but I can't fix it. I'm very familiar with what's under the bonnet and where it should be and what it should sound or look like. That has to be as important as actually being able to fix things. She's serviced regularly. I can change a tyre on the "Cruiser" and the van.

I do all my own servicing. In the bush, lubrication needs to be done at much more frequent intervals, but the best reason is because it forces you to get under the vehicle and have a good look around on a regular basis. Most problems are small ones if you catch them early enough. Cheers, Peter

Hi al, col wants to know where on earth did you find a garage that lets you do that, usually its get out!! and dont come back untill its all done and make sure you bring that cheque book with you. "3 days to go" and whos counting!!!!

Some smaller, and country garages seem to have a friendlier attitude. Some even let me "hover" while they fix my truck - it's a girl's truck. I like to see what they're doing and how. All you can do is ask, and they can respond with, "Sure" or, "Are you kidding? Out!"

Not me, i'm mechanically inept.
can fix complex medical equipment but put me in front of a car and I turn to jelly.

franchised dealer every 2nd service and intermediate local mechanic. Take oil and filters and other consumables to both. next service all fluids needs changed. will supply them. always negotiate a price prior to booking in. Modern vehicles with long warranty you are tied to the dealer once a year. to date no complaints with my negotiated price.

-- Edited by Martin on Monday 15th of February 2010 08:10:35 PM

colsa wrote:

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Hi al, col wants to know where on earth did you find a garage that lets you do that, usually its get out!! and dont come back untill its all done and make sure you bring that cheque book with you. "3 days to go" and whos counting!!!!

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Garage?????
A sheet of tarp and a container to catch the oil in a scrape somewhere.

Cheers,
Peter

 

I have neither the competence nor the resources to service a modern diesel vehicle, or any vehicle for that matter, so it's off to the dealer for me. I have sometimes used a 4x4 business to do the intermediate service as I can get them to check the "after-market" suspension (which they supplied)

No doubt those with the appropriate skills can save a lot of money by DIY maintenance.

-- Edited by jimricho on Tuesday 16th of February 2010 06:50:34 AM

As Jim and Gary said....modern vehicles.....you need a laptop computer ..just to change the oil....if you can find it..gone are the good ol days.....where you could sit in the engine bay..and work on the engine...........with my Pajero...if I dropped a spanner.......I think it be gone forever.........even Rosies BF Falcon...they used a laptop to find a loose wire

No more going to the auto shop for spare parts. It's off to Dick Smith or one of those techno shops for computer stuff to fix the car.

Smokeydk wrote:

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As Jim and Gary said....modern vehicles.....you need a laptop computer ..just to change the oil....if you can find it..gone are the good ol days.....

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Amen to that!  Vehicle manufacturers nowadays make it awfully damned hard for the home mechanic.  Maybe that's why I'm so enamoured of my old '94 Ford Courier 4X4 ute.  It's still 'oldskool', and I can address most running repairs on it even with the rudimentary toolkit I cart around amongst the bits 'n' pieces in an old ammo box in the back of the thing!


I still do whatever I can on other vehicles, but it's increasingly becoming just grease and oil change. 

 

I have done all my own servicing on both the Jeeps we have owned.Fixed a starter motor,replaced a water pump,wheel hub bearings,EGR valve and always do my engine oil / filter changes every 5000km (not 8000 as the manual reccomends).I have always tinkered with engines and as a young kid once pulled my Dads good lawn mower apart (did'nt we all), funny thing though, i never got it going again, however there were heaps of EXTRA nuts and bolts lying around after the 'fix it job'. A lot more diligent now :)

Damn, it's nice to have a new(ish) car but I feel that if I want my warranty to be uncontested then it's the dealer services or something similar that stamps your log book.Once this warranty period is over then I'll do it for sure

I might be a bit strange, but I enjoy! doing my own servicing, and am capable, (not expert) at doing even major repairs. As an owner of an old 93 hilux with a home made camper on the back and a tiny on the front, I throw my hands up in despair when my mates open the bonet on their new cars.Also, older cars are easier and cheaper to fix.hilux parts are everywhere. Next car will probaly be and older landcruiser, and a small caravan.Keep on travelling, friends. Bill

I service and repair all my vehicles except the computer and sensors, when they go wrong it takes a specialist! but thats simply because I haven't got the diagnostic equipment