Service your own car!

matsy1

Just thought Id start this thread for people like me who have no clue about cars and because I have been searching the net all week looking for my car specs and any information. I have never serviced a car before. Maybe others can share their own cars to help people who dont like paying fortunes for basic servicing.

I have a Ford Mondeo 1.8 Zetec 2002. I bought the Oil (5W-30, required for Fords, instantly fixed my ignition problem), An Air filter and Oil filter (paper cartridge). All for €40 in a motor factors on the Drumcondra road..

I then bought an oil filter wrench in Lidl for €5.99. You also need a 15mm spanner and a philips head screwdriver, a car jack, a block, a sink basin, and some rags, gloves and maybe a friend in case of something going wrong.

Open the bonnet and open your oil cap, engine should be warm not hot.
Jack up the car on the drivers side, put your block underneath the drivers door and jack up some more until you can comfortably fit under the front of the car on your back. The sump plug is under the drivers seat closer to the handbrake, its a 15mm nut that looks like its on a big pound coin sized washer (couldnt find it for about 20 mins, but when i did its pretty obvious). Open sump plug, may take some force but be careful not to wreck the nut, only use a spanner not an adjustable. When its loose'ish put your basin in front of it (it comes out quick) and carefully screw it off and move your hand in case its hot, and re adjust where the basin is to catch the oil (put newspaper down too). Move the block and let down the jack to let all the oil run out. Jack it back up and replace the sump plug, nice and tight.

The oil filter on this car is near the front, its a casing with the paper filter in side (the casing is the size of a can of coke). It screws off with your oil filter wrench, a few turns then carefully screw it with your hand with the basin directly underneath as it dumps out a pint of oil at once. Throw out old oil filter and clean the casing with a rag before putting in your new one, it push's into the casing. Screw the oil filter back on.

The air filter is simple, open the bonnet and its like a shoe box with a air tube going into it, screw off the screws and lift up the casing, take out the old dusty filter and simply push in your new one. Re screw and done..

Pull out the dip stick a little and pour 4 litres of your oil into the engine. Replace dipstick and start the car, a few revs and turn off for 5 mins. Dip to see the level, should be between min and max. Pour the old oil into your new oil can and bring it to the recycling centre free of charge.

And thats it! Sounds like alot but it only took 40 mins on my first attempt. Feel free to ask me questions or tell me what I did wrong but the car is running great since.

I USED BLOCKS BUT YOU SHOULD ALWAYS USE AXEL STANDS.

READ THIS BEFORE ATTEMPTING http://www.carbasics.co.uk/how_to_jack_up_a_car_safely.htm

Run_to_da_hills

Just double check the oil filter after a few miles to make sure it hasn't come loose particularly if it was put on when the block was cold, Not too tight though.

If I were you I wouldn't be going under a car that is only supported by a jack, there has been a few instances of people getting killed/injured over the last while. I'm all for doing your own maintenance, I do most of the work on my own car, but do it safely.

mondeo

I have saved 1000's the past 10 years by servicing the cars myself. It's not a back ache for me I love doing it and at least i know it's been done.

barney 20v

Madeline Deep Technology wrote: »

If I were you I wouldn't be going under a car that is only supported by a jack, there has been a few instances of people getting killed injured over the last while. I'm all for doing your own maintainence, I do most of the work on my own car, but do it safely.

+ 1
Only a complete idiot would work under car supported only by a jack and a "block".. buy axle stands ffs!

colm_mcm

The sump plug is near the handbrake and drivers seat?

How does that work?

Run_to_da_hills

Madeline Deep Technology wrote: »

If I were you I wouldn't be going under a car that is only supported by a jack, there has been a few instances of people getting killed injured over the last while. I'm all for doing your own maintenance, I do most of the work on my own car, but do it safely.

Agreed and I wouldn't trust any car ramps or liting jacks purchased from Lidl or similar supermarkets either particularly if someone is using them on a heavy car like the Ford Modeo.

barney 20v

OP what did you do with the waste engine oil? You do know it has to be disposed of correctly? you failed to mention in your post!

zilog_jones

barney 20v wrote: »

OP what did you do with the waste engine oil? You do know it has to be disposed of correctly? you failed to mention in your post!

...

matsy1 wrote:

Pour the old oil into your new oil can and bring it to the recycling centre free of charge.

barney 20v

zilog_jones wrote: »

...

hands up! missed it, probably in shock at reading about the dangerous method of jacking and securing the car!

zilog_jones

Yeah I don't agree with that either - one of the main reasons I've never serviced my own car is because I've never got around to buying axle stands!

barney 20v

zilog_jones wrote: »

Yeah I don't agree with that either - one of the main reasons I've never serviced my own car is because I've never got around to buying axle stands!

I service my own cars and always have. A pair of good quality axle stands and a proper jack is all thats needed+wheel chocks.
Most axle stands will hold 2000 kg...

matsy1

Wow... I used two huge cavity blocks and a very good hydraulic car jack, and rose it only an inch higher than them!! It was extremely safe, even the postman past a comment on it.. Dont jump the gun lads, jeez everybody looking for something bad to write.....

Thanks for the advice on the Oil filter mate..

matsy1

colm_mcm wrote: »

The sump plug is near the handbrake and drivers seat?

How does that work?

I mean like under the car...

Gary ITR

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055422868

Taken from the handy links in the charter. Cavity blocks can split and crumble mate so if using them you should put a block of timber on top of them

matsy1

barney 20v wrote: »

OP what did you do with the waste engine oil? You do know it has to be disposed of correctly? you failed to mention in your post!

barney 20v wrote: »

hands up! missed it, probably in shock at reading about the dangerous method of jacking and securing the car!

Ha... Rent a row!

matsy1

Onkle wrote: »

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055422868

Taken from the handy links in the charter. Cavity blocks can split and crumble mate so if using them you should put a block of timber on top of them

Thanks mate, I did that too not because they'd crumble but because i didnt want to mark the car, i took some photos that I was going to post later...

I took me ages to write the post and didnt want to go on too much about safety, I presumed that most people would fully secure their cars.. I actually had two bricks as chocks aswell and wore gloves, had a breakfast for my concentration and did a few stretches so I wouldnt pull a muscle..:o

barney 20v

Onkle wrote: »

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055422868

Taken from the handy links in the charter. Cavity blocks can split and crumble mate so if using them you should put a block of timber on top of them

A block of timber will not stop Cavity blocks from breaking!
I suggest you go purchase some decent axle stands........

matsy1

barney 20v wrote: »

A block of timber will not stop Cavity blocks from breaking!
I suggest you go purchase some decent axle stands........

Ok. We all understand now. ONLY USE AXEL STANDS.. I will from now on, its not worth risking your life.

So Barney do you want to share how you service your car? No need to mention the safety aspect, I think we all concur. Just let the amateur know what and where the sump plug, filter's, type of oil etc.. The reason why I started the thread.

But again I do realise safety comes first.

guil

matsy1 wrote: »

I mean like under the car...

but its nowhere near the handbrake, at least 2-3 feet from the handbrake

barney 20v

matsy1 wrote: »

Ok. We all understand now. ONLY USE AXEL STANDS.. I will from now on, its not worth risking your life.

So Barney do you want to share how you service your car? No need to mention the safety aspect, I think we all concur. Just let the amateur know what and where the sump plug, filter's, type of oil etc.. The reason why I started the thread.

But again I do realise safety comes first.

Would it make you feel better if i was to start my own thread with my view on how to SAFELY service/work on a car?

Gary ITR

Would you lot ever put the handbags away

Mr Benevolent

OP, the point is that you said you used a 'car jack'. There are thousands of people reading this forum every day and most of them assume a car jack is the thing you have under your spare tyre in the boot.

Anyway, back to the servicing. I changed some brake lights for the first time yesterday, it was a lot easier then I thought. Really pays to plan the whole thing in advance though. Blown bulbs look just like new ones.

Does anyone know where the reverse light switch is on a Corsa/Meriva? I know it's somewhere near the gearbox underneath the car, but beyond that, I'm not sure.

Hal1

You tried the google? :pac:

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060824144452AA4qYMC

Confab wrote: »

OP, the point is that you said you used a 'car jack'. There are thousands of people reading this forum every day and most of them assume a car jack is the thing you have under your spare tyre in the boot.

Anyway, back to the servicing. I changed some brake lights for the first time yesterday, it was a lot easier then I thought. Really pays to plan the whole thing in advance though. Blown bulbs look just like new ones.

Does anyone know where the reverse light switch is on a Corsa/Meriva? I know it's somewhere near the gearbox underneath the car, but beyond that, I'm not sure.

budhabob

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Agreed and I wouldn't trust any car ramps or liting jacks purchased from Lidl or similar supermarkets either particularly if someone is using them on a heavy car like the Ford Modeo.

Just a quick note, all axle stands are designed to the same standards, and in fact due to the german origin of lidl and aldi, their axle stands may be designed to more strict standards (TUV for example).

barney 20v

barney 20v wrote: »

Would it make you feel better if i was to start my own thread with my view on how to SAFELY service/work on a car?

I think the point is across, no need to keep on at the op. There are plenty of alternatives to axle stands also, Steel ramps, concrete ramps, even driving up on some good pieces of timber to raise the car which is what I usually do, although I am thinking of investing in something, possibly axle stands or else setting up the concrete slabs we used to use but these are very heavy and hard to move around.

matsy1

Madeline Deep Technology wrote: »

I think the point is across, no need to keep on at the op.

Cheers..

Any one know how to replace front and back bulbs on the 02 Mondeo? Any tips?

Hal1

Try the google :rolleyes:?

matsy1 wrote: »

Cheers..

Any one know how to replace front and back bulbs on the 02 Mondeo? Any tips?

Stoolbend

OP you never mentioned if you replaced the oil seals on the filter housing. These should always be replaced with new ones when you change the filter.

The petrol mondeo has a drain plug on the filter housing (6mm allen key) that drains all the oil out of the filter and housing which sves you from getting covered in oil when removing it!

RandomAccess

What you don't want to do is drain the transmission fluid..
And then what you also don't want to do is fill up the oil (which you didn't drain) And then you also don't want to drive off and have your engine explode.

An independent garage will do it for a negligible fee and you will have some recourse if there is a problem. All I'm saying is make sure you know what you are doing because a lot of people don't have a clue.

mickdw

RandomAccess wrote: »

What you don't want to do is drain the transmission fluid..
And then what you also don't want to do is fill up the oil (which you didn't drain) And then you also don't want to drive off and have your engine explode.

An independent garage will do it for a negligible fee and you will have some recourse if there is a problem. All I'm saying is make sure you know what you are doing because a lot of people don't have a clue.

I would agree that if there is any difficulty finding the sump nut, it is best left to someone else.

Run_to_da_hills

budhabob wrote: »

Just a quick note, all axle stands are designed to the same standards, and in fact due to the german origin of lidl and aldi, their axle stands may be designed to more strict standards (TUV for example).

When you say German, much of this stuff is East German and is absolute rubbish.

Lidl & Aldy are DIY centers, none of their stuff is designed for the qualified tradesman, even their powertools this is because they are a fraction of the price.

Their tools are designed for the occasional job the same when you purchase a class 3 ladder for domestic use. I still wouldn't trust any of their tools on a heavy weight family saloon. Maybe ok for a Micra or Fiesta.

If I saw my local garage using lidl or Aldi Equipment I would drive away and get my car serviced somewhere else.

Testament1

Its reading threads like this that i'm glad i dont need to worry about jacks or supports when changing the oil in my car..just drive the car over the pit in the shed, get into the pit and work away!:D

kazul

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

When you say German, much of this stuff is East German and is absolute rubbish.

Must be really old then if it was made in DDR :eek:

Germany was re-unified 20 years ago

Run_to_da_hills

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

When you say German, much of this stuff is East German and is absolute rubbish.

Lidl & Aldy are DIY centers, none of their stuff is designed for the qualified tradesman, even their powertools this is because they are a fraction of the price.

Their tools are designed for the occasional job the same when you purchase a class 3 ladder for domestic use. I still wouldn't trust any of their tools on a heavy weight family saloon. Maybe ok for a Micra or Fiesta.

If I saw my local garage using lidl or Aldi Equipment I would drive away and get my car serviced somewhere else.

The aldi and lidil stuff has to pass the same tests as any other equipment and is most likely just more expensive stuff re-branded. Your talking rubbish tbh. A set of 3T axle stands in Lidil will be just as safe as ones from a motorfactors.

Run_to_da_hills

Testament1 wrote: »

Its reading threads like this that i'm glad i dont need to worry about jacks or supports when changing the oil in my car..just drive the car over the pit in the shed, get into the pit and work away!:D

I done need a pit to change my oil, plenty of ground clearance.

Madeline Deep Technology wrote: »

The aldi and lidil stuff has to pass the same tests as any other equipment and is most likely just more expensive stuff re-branded. Your talking rubbish tbh. A set of 3T axle stands in Lidil will be just as safe as ones from a motorfactors.

If that was the case every tradesman in the country would be buying their tools at Lidl & Aldi. :rolleyes:

Mr Benevolent

If that was the case every tradesman in the country would be buying their tools at Lidl & Aldi.

That's a ridiculous comment. Mechanics would never buy their tools from Lidl or Aldi simply because the tools are not sold constantly and besides, they don't sell the quantity a mechanic needs.

Your argument is the equivalent of saying that Ryanair are less safe than more expensive airlines because Ryanair is cheaper. Lidl and Aldi are huge multinationals. They have brand name tools rebranded and bought in bulk to save costs. Getting sued by selling poor quality tools is not on their agenda.

BrianD3

I was just looking at around 100,000 miles worth of maintenance records there. I am a high mileage driver so that is under 3 years worth of driving for me.

In terms of basic servicing, not including timing belts, repairs or extras such as replacement wipers, brakes, batteries etc.

Servicing the car myself using genuine parts:
7 minor services, 3 major services. Cost 392 quid

Servicing by a Dublin main dealer at the recommended service intervals
3 minor services, 3 major services. Would have cost 1620 quid.

So, I changed the oil much more often yet still saved myself over 1200 quid. Just doing basic work and checks that any eejit could do.

Even the oil disposal can work out much cheaper if you do it yourself. Disposing of oil from 10 services at my local bring centre cost me.....2 euro . Whereas main dealers seem to be charging around 8-10 euro oil disposal for *each* service

Re: axle stands or ramps, I'm thin enough to crawl under the car and loosen the sump plug without raising the car. The oil filter is gotten at from above. Some basic tools were got in LIDL and Halfords and cost very little.

Run_to_da_hills

Confab wrote: »

That's a ridiculous comment. Mechanics would never buy their tools from Lidl or Aldi simply because the tools are not sold constantly and besides, they don't sell the quantity a mechanic needs.

Your argument is the equivalent of saying that Ryanair are less safe than more expensive airlines because Ryanair is cheaper. Lidl and Aldi are huge multinationals. They have brand name tools rebranded and bought in bulk to save costs. Getting sued by selling poor quality tools is not on their agenda.

I have seen heaps of Lidl and Aldi stuff on various shutdown contracts, I can see a reason, why buy a measuring tape for e24 when it can get nicked. However I would be very slow to risk skinning my knuckles swinging out of one of their wrenches. Their stuff has a market for the ocasional DIY and not the trade.

How often would you see a reputable garage with a Lidl Car Jack, axle stands, ramps, shifters, sockets sets? Probably very rarely if ever.

Run_to_da_hills

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

If that was the case every tradesman in the country would be buying their tools at Lidl & Aldi. :rolleyes:

Plenty of tradesmen use some aldi or lidil tools. Obviously most of there tools would not be as there selection is poor and inconsistent but I know a neighbor that is a plumber and a very well respected one uses some of their tools and highly recommend one of the cordless drills they were selling which we bought and it is a very good piece of kit. It saved us a nice bit of money as we were about to buy a much more expensive one in the local hardware.

How many axle stands have have been sold by aldi or lidil? A lot id wager and how many accidents have we heard about using them?

mickdw

Confab wrote: »

That's a ridiculous comment. Mechanics would never buy their tools from Lidl or Aldi simply because the tools are not sold constantly and besides, they don't sell the quantity a mechanic needs.

Your argument is the equivalent of saying that Ryanair are less safe than more expensive airlines because Ryanair is cheaper. Lidl and Aldi are huge multinationals. They have brand name tools rebranded and bought in bulk to save costs. Getting sued by selling poor quality tools is not on their agenda.

IMO, the Aldi/Lidl stuff is for DIY only.
I have drill bits, fine for the odd job but much softer than standard issue stuff.
I have a chop saw from them. It really does feel like a budget item. Again fine for second fixing a room or even a house but not upto working all day everyday.
Torque wrench - seems ok

Im sure the stuff pases all safety requirements etc but at the end of the day, you get what you pay for. Nothing wrong with that though. Take the example of the chop saw. A carpenter might pay 700 to 900 for one. IF I have a couple of odd jobs to do, €60 for the saw in reasonable whereas I wouldnt pay 700 so these tools have their place.

budhabob

I just pulled out my lidl (or aldi, think lidl though) axle stands out and they are designed to TUV standards. From my engineering knowledge (civil) german standards are more strict than most, i have no problem going under a car supported by them. And if a mechanic had axle stands for general work (regardless of from where) i dont know how confident i'd be in his ability. he should have lifts.

Anyway, this is all a tad off topic, I do service my car myself, and have to service the OH's megane at the weekend. I find the whole process to be very satisfying.

horse7

nice blog,are there any extra jobs to do on a diseal car.

BeardyGit

budhabob wrote: »

And if a mechanic had axle stands for general work (regardless of from where) i dont know how confident i'd be in his ability. he should have lifts.

Sorry Bob, but that just shows off what is in fairness to you a common level of ignorance. There's no universal tool. A 4 post lift is ideal for some jobs, a 2 post for others and a trolley jack backed up by axle stands is perfect (and to my mind preferred) for more 'general purpose' work than I reckon you realise....

TBH, this thread strikes me as pointless. It's a mess, and started out that way right from the start by including sod all detail and some pretty bad advice.

Read VB's thread which describes the right way to do this job 'DIY style', and go and get a Haynes manual while you're at it folks. It'll cost the equivalent of 15 minutes of a main dealer mechanics time, and save you hundreds if not thousands during your car ownership.

mickdw

Gil_Dub wrote: »

Sorry Bob, but that just shows off what is in fairness to you a common level of ignorance. There's no universal tool. A 4 post lift is ideal for some jobs, a 2 post for others and a trolley jack backed up by axle stands for more than I reckon you realise....

TBH, this thread strikes me as pointless. It's a mess, and started out that way right from the start by including sod all detail and some pretty bad advice.

Read VB's thread which describes the right way to do this job 'DIY style', and go and get a Haynes manual while you're at it folks. It'll cost the equivalent of 15 minutes of a main dealer mechanics time, and save you hundreds if not thousands during your car ownership.

If a mechanic has a 4 post & a 2 post lift, I cannot think of any reason to go crawling on the ground with axle stands.

Gary ITR

No no no this thread is giving me brain pain