Who works on their own vehicle nowadays?

[Andy Griffith]

Just a question as I need to put some new PCV hoses on my car- one of them is cracked and clogged and it's making it idle a bit rough.

I have a couple of older cars that are not quite as finicky to work on, and I've tinkered with British vehicles- and those things should come with their own mechanic! But, I've sufficed through perseverance to keep them running and not allow myself to get stranded.

A chevrolet fuel pump (can no longer remember what year and model) can be adapted to certain British vehicles. I went through a whole parts store looking at fuel pumps until I got one that looked similar.

However, with this whole "drive by wire" thing and government mandate for all new cars to have some kind of electronic traction control system or something...

Most people don't even change their own oil.
Some people, although they know how, may not be fortunate enough to have a place to work on their own vehicle- and for those I'm truly sorry.

At least, we can still tinker on our cars, but I'm certain there are forces out there that would take that right away from us too!

Anyway, who else works on their own vehicle.

 

[enfield]

I still do oil changes and brakes, and other more minor repairs.

I sold my dwell/tach and timing light the last time I moved -- maybe they're in a museum somewhere by now.

The "automatic" front hubs on my 4x4 aren't unlocking properly any more, but I'll take it to a dealership to get that fixed. I've removed/replaced 4x4 hubs before and it makes my fingers hurt to think of doing it again. Besides, I don't do well sitting on concrete floors these days.

 

[Tom Beavert]

I work on mine, but they, like me are old.
'94 F150
'91 Ranger
00 Jeep
00 Pace Arrow.
Having the place & the tools makes it easier.
tb

 

[Firehouse]

I wouldn't call myself a mechanic, but I'm a good parts changer. I have a 1999 Chevy K1500 that I work on when I need to. I've changed the starter, plugs, plug wires, brake pads, etc. Regular routine maintenance I do myself on all of my vehicles. Even my Wife's 2006 Nissan Maxima. I recently had the brake rotors turned and put new pads on it for her. Big things like having my transmission rebuilt back before Christmas I have to pay for. I don't know enough or have enough equipment to do that. I did service the fluid and filter myself first before having it done to be sure it wasn't a simple fix. And it wasn't .

Mechanics blood runs in my family. My Grandfather ran a service station in his town for 40 plus years. My Dad grew up helping him and he passes his knowledge on to me. There's just something about getting in your shop/garage, turning on the music and getting greasy with your ride. I feel that man is at his best when he's working with his hands. He's being productive, creative, useful. A dying art I'm afraid. Most automobiles these days are built out of wires and chips and should be discarded like garbage when their service life ends. Too bad.

 

[cmort666]

I wouldn't work on anything lighter than 50 tons, and then only from the turret ring up.

I make money from people who don't want to do anything with a computer except use it. Auto mechanics make money from me for a completely analogous reason.

 

[Rule3]

I used to do basic stuff on engines where I could recognize the parts.

Now I just wash and wax

 

[bayfisher]

I do all my own repairs. But I have been an auto tech for 18yrs and own 2 Snap-on scanners, A Snap-on vantage, My own Leak Master smoke machine, And all the hand and air tools, along with various specialty sockets and wrenches.

Just the tools required to work on cars nowadays prevents a lot of people from doing anything other than the most basic repairs. The newest vehicles now have Onstar and other ways to find out why your check engine light is on. but for most people, When that light comes on their only option is to take it to a shop or to get a free reading from Autozone. From my years of experience, I would never recommend an Autozone code reading. Unless you want a kid fresh out of school to pull the code up, then go to the computer and try to sell you every part that that code could relate to. Then again, You get what you pay for.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

I used to do most auto work, but now I am just to old and the cars are way over my head. I even have my oil changed. Don

 

[snowman]

I almost never take my vehicles to professionals. I've saved loads on labor costs. It appears to me that there are four requirements for the successful DIY'er in this endeavor: necessary tools, sufficient time, natural aptitude, and at least two good service manuals(one for amateurs, and an official one for service techs). One also must be willing to risk making a mistake now and then. Fortunately, mine have cost me little.

To be honest here, my primary transportation is so well-engineered and durable that I haven't had to do that much trouble-shooting thus far. But since it is nearly 20 years old and has 247,000 miles on it, I expect a little more of that in the future. I just learn as I go.

Andy

 

[truckemup97]

Depending on the amount of time I have, I do some. I usually let the mechanics take care of my wife's Mercedes ML, but a few months ago the alternator went out. I was home with nothing to do, and the dealer wanted $400 just for a new part, no labor. So, I took it out (you have to remove the right inner fender ?!?), had it rebuilt for $50, and put it back in. I can change parts on the big truck, but I usually let my mechanic do the big stuff. Changing the oil and doing a grease job is actually cheaper at a shop when you consider my time, plus I like to have someone else under there looking at stuff that I might have overlooked. I just paid to have head gaskets put on the pickup because it would take me all week to do it.

Sooooo, I guess I do what I want to, and let the pros do the rest.

 

[cowboy117]

Wash and wax car,wax truck.Everything else goes to my mechanic,oil changes and all.Used to do all my own work,now it's easier to farm it out.

 

[jag312]

Let's see what I have. I have a 1953 Jaguar C-Type. So far I do everything except the engine rebuild and the new paint job. I have a 1954 Jaguar XK120. I have done everything except rebuild the engine, but I plan on doing that soon. I have a 1971 Ferrari. I can change the oil, change the spark plugs, but everything else requires $omeone who know$ how to work on the car and get$ paid accordingly. I do most of the work on my motorcycle myself, and anything beyond an oil change or spark plug change on my regular car (Mazda) is done by my friendly neighborhood mechanic. He does good work and he does things right the first time. Once he fixes something, I never have to bring it back to be fixed again.

 

[Goldstar225]

Oil changes and parts swapping. Brakes, fuel pump (PITA), water pump, alternator etc...

I'm not much good at diagnosing the complex stuff. For that I have a very trustworthy independent shop I go to.

 

[lcdrdanr]

Well, I'm not rich and am retired so it kinda goes with the territory. Many, many years ago I made my living out of a tool box but except for the crescent wrenches, even the tool box is pretty much obsolete now. Still have a few Whitworth wrenches, a real good vacuum gauge and timing light, a dwell tachometer (do cars still have points anymore ?) but I wouldn't attempt much diagnostics anymore.
I have been tinkering with a 1980 Mercedes SL 450, trying to keep it running for the high school senior but I won't let him drive it anywhere beyond towing distance. Just replaced the master cylinder and brake pads on it, last month it was the valve cover gaskets that needed replacing.
Other than that, it's the wifes SUV and my truck getting oil changes or brake pads and such, anything else it's going to the dealers or getting traded in for something else.

Dan R

 

[enfield]

Nope - no points, no distributor, and the timing isn't adjustable either. Neither are idle speeds. I sold my stuff to a guy who races and could use it.

 

[doc540]

I just stand between the block and the fender and bust my knuckles for fun.

 

[Wayne02]

I do most all my own work save for front-end alignments and engine rebuilds down to the machining level. For daily drivers I find that rebuilding an engine is usually not cost effective so I will just replace the engine with a re-manufactured one or sell or scrap the vehicle.

 

[sipowicz]

I do all the accelerator work myself on my Toyota...

 

[MK]

I can most general repairs, but like one above I installed
a rebuilt long block rather than rebuild an engine myself.
I don't have the tools for that.
I've pretty much rebuilt my 68 F-250 myself. Installed rebuilt
engine, rebuilt the front end including kingpins, etc..
Most computer controlled stuff doesn't bother me, and I can deal
with most emissions repair. I do have to have a manual though.
That's a given with any newer car.. I've never had to work on my
present Toyota, but I"m almost sure it will be much easier than
the older Honda Accord I had before. That car was a nightmare to
work on. 40 zillion vacuum lines, no room to do anything, feedback
carb, etc..
My newer car is much cleaner and less cramped under the hood.
So I expect it to be fairly easy in comparison.
Some stuff I won't do.. IE: alignments.. I only let the best align em..
When I rebuilt the F-250 front end, I took it to a frame shop for the
alignment. Came out perfect.
I let Sip do my Toyota accelerator repairs. :/

 

[Black_Sheep]

For relaxation I like to play with old cars. You name it, I've done it. I've built more engines than I can recall, carbs, transmissions, differentials, suspension, glass, wiring, body and paint, you get the picture. It's a very satisfying hobby and I've met a bunch of great people participating in car shows and cruise nights.

BTW, I don't own the only dyno in the county but I'm on a first name basis with the guy that does!

Here's a '58 Chevy truck I helped my brother build. It's sportin' a Nova front sub, a mild 454, Turbo 400 trans and Mopar 8.75 differential.