Ashley 288 Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 Car's running ok but suspect mixture a little rich (dry sooty exhaust) rang around for price to set carb up, 3 garages didn't know how to do such! (can't plug it into computer) a well known carb specialist wanted £80 plus vat plus parts, another said "needs 20,000 mile service, couple of hundred quid" finally found one £30, however saw pic of "special weber service tool" on internet, 10 minutes later with old screwdriver and 3 corner file I had the equiv, another 10 mins with aid of haynes manual and job done, no idea what co emissions are like and can't say I care but seems more lively and responsive Quote Link to post Share on other sites
danny333 7 Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 Marvellous intit what you can do if you don`t mind getting your hands mucky. I just did my Disc Brakes all round, anyone who can read " Haynes " and pick up a Screwdriver should have a go. I was talking to a Garage Mechanic once and he was so convincing with his speel I said you should have been a Solicitor !!! , He replied " Thats what I used to be " Same goes for Plumbers , had a Washer changed lately ?. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,793 Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 All well & good tackling brakes..................BUT, having worked in the motor trade years ago I saw some right horrors where the DIY man had a go. On some cars lever the caliper pistons back & they will be destroyed. Once saw a new subframe fitted to a Mini, all fine, could'nt fault it EXCEPT he had replaced the steel brake pipes with plastic petrol pipe secured with jubilee hose clips !AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRHHHHHHHH. The bloke was quite miffed when it failed the MOT. By all means if you are capable DIYer then have a go but hey, lets be careful out there ! One further note of caution. The times I have seen cars jacked up on bricks, bits of wood etc is suicidal, don't do It. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ayupmeducks 1,730 Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 I've always worked on my own brakes, I had a blocked hose on my front discs, never came across that one before, but had to replace both sets of bearings and seals, both hoses. Checked both discs for "run out" and both were within manufacturers specs, changed both calipers, bled the system and is still pulling my up on a tanner....Then again, I did serve my apprenticeship as a MechElec.. So high pressure hydraulics are not new to me.. I used to do a full tune up years back before fuel injection and on board computers....Still have my dwell meter and strobe timing light, no use with modern vehicles now though. I still do all the maintenance on my diesel tractors though....Love diesel engines! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
danny333 7 Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 Me too I was signing off aircraft at 20 years old. I know a lot Tradesmen who cannot tackle much else except their Trade , , bragging a bit, but I have Installed several Central Heating Systems ( Except Connect the Gas ) Rewired a few Houses and had them passed Built a Loft extension single handed ( Had a Plasterer skim over ) that`s one Trade I do take my hat off to. But there are I admit dangerous Bodgers around and jobs should only be done within your capabilities. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ayupmeducks 1,730 Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 I installed the propane line from the 500 gallon tank to the house, several flared joints and all tested perfect with soapy water. I built my own house, designed and built the roof trusses, must have done a good job, as two years ago we had the worst ice storm in recorded history in the mid west. I estimate there were over two tons of ice on the roof, we never heard one single groan from any of the trusses or studs!! Try ice two inches thick, the house is almost 2400 sq feet in floor plan, so that gives you some idea of the roof area!! The ice storm did do a job on the original roof material, so replaced the whole lot with 25 year shingles. No help either, rip off myself, re felt and laid the shingles myself. I think most jobs can be handled by the average person IF, they have confidence in themselves. 2/ they have the proper tools to do the job!! and 3/ They are not afraid to do a little research and learning on things they are uncertain about, or even ASK someone who has done that job. After all, I'd never made a high voltage cable end of the first time I tackled the job...LOL OK, I'd assisted as an apprentice, but that's a little different. Doing the job first time always took a little longer. We used to have "races" making cable ends off at one place I worked at, the oldest electrician ALWAY'S won though, usually two to our one in the same time... BUT, I'd have a breakdown on high tech equipment up and running before he'd had time to think... Even at places where we had a good fitting staff, on a breakdown call, I or one of our staff would be called first, we'd diagnose the problem and if it was pneumatic, call for the shaft fitters, and we would give them a rundown as we knew more than them on the equipment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
susyshoes 69 Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 Theres a lot of testosterone in the air today Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ashley 288 Posted July 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 danny333 wrote ( Except Connect the Gas ), chicken, lol, back to the car, been for a roadtest and found speedo doesn't work now! probably knocked the cable out the drive but too hot this afternoon to be bothered with it, as regards health and safety chocking up with bricks etc, guess a question of common sense? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ayupmeducks 1,730 Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 Theres a lot of testosterone in the air today More like MONEY!! Or saving thereof.... Have you seen the prices they charge for the above named jobs I've done?? Over 60% of the cost of a house is labour!! Any work on a car these days costs big bucks, mostly labour again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mudgie49 401 Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 Always bought American cars,after 3 years seems like they want to play up,first the electrics then automatic transmission.Started leasing,new car every 3 years,no maintence,just gas it up, and wash it occasionally,latest car a VW Jetta,six weeks ago,beauuuuuutiful. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
danny333 7 Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 danny333 wrote ( Except Connect the Gas ), chicken, lol, back to the car, been for a roadtest and found speedo doesn't work now! probably knocked the cable out the drive but too hot this afternoon to be bothered with it, as regards health and safety chocking up with bricks etc, guess a question of common sense? Connecting gas could be " Cold Turkey " !!!!! I for one know my limits Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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