What % of shite fixing do you do yourself?

[Negative Creep]

Should have kept the Volvo see , it was a good un

 

 

It was a good car but the 406 has cost me half the repair bills in nearly double the length of time

[mat_the_cat]

Everything apart from tyre fitting (although I take off the wheels), engine machining, and as of recently, the respray on the Stellar. I have done some paintwork before, but usually not invisibly! But I started out only doing servicing, and just went on from there; nobody was born with the knowledge.

 

As of today I've broken this rule...the ABS light on the Kangoo came on so I dropped by my local garage to see whether they could plug it in and tell me which sensor (my Bluetooth OBD tool didn't pick up the fault). I was going to buy a sensor and fit it myself, but they only wanted £23.50 for the part and offered to fit it included in the £40 diagnostic fee. Which I thought was fair enough

[Uncle Jimmy]

Not as much as I'd like to! About 50% on the old stuff. I don't have a ramp and I'm a bit low on space otherwise I'd do more.

[derskine]

95%. I don't do mots or fit tyres.

I've never taken one of my cars to a garage other than for an mot or to get tyres fitted, but even then I take the rims off for them before going.

[Albert Ross]

I do absolutely EVERYTHING on mine. Including a chassis up rebuild in the street.

[Parky]

I'll do servicing and brakes myself but generally leave anything more involved to a trusted specialist as I dont have room, as many specialist tools as I'd like, the time, or in many cases, the talent. Cam belts terrify me!

 

When I was younger I had time and no money so I had no choice but to do stuff myself and work it out as I went. Best way really. Parky Snr taught me a lot, and he in turn learned his stuff from Parky Snr Snr (deceased).

 

Have done a couple of head rebuilds, a complete rebuild on a Pug 309 unit, couple of clutches, shock absorbers and steering racks but these were on older shite which, let's face it, are a doddle to sort.

 

I have tried passing on my limited skillz to Parky Jnr but he doesn't give a shit. Although I am looking forward to him getting his first heap and wandering in saying "Daaaaaaaad, my cars broken". Part of me will want to say "well go fix it then!" But secretly I will be pleased to have an excuse to go and work on something. And if the wife complains I will be able to say I am helping the lad, rather than I am tinkering with this heap as it is preferable to being indoors.....

[dieselassist]

cant fit tyres; as ive no machine; anything diagnostic I might farm out, as I usually don't have the software/leads etc.

 

...everything else I do at home, or down the unit... I usully cant afford the 'professional' labour rates, n its not in nature to leave the car off to some aloof garage - even if I have a few quid /or am momentarily flush, Id just rather buy the specialist tools if its the job dictates it - eg; a brake flaring tool/ specialist sockets etc, or a newer higher rate jack etc etc...

 

...so about 92% ish