[rmodel65]

The pain in the as* to change it yourself was better than the pain in the wallet having it done though right...lol

That would suck having to do it roadside.....sheesh

The bad part is I put in an autozone airtek pump...it went out three more time after this each about a month later..pulled that garbage out got a holley (walbro) pump dropped in and never had another problem

 

[Craftsman]

I do a lot of basic custom mods on my Mustang. I take it to the dealer for oil changes and warranty repairs. A big part of that is I want the car checked for recalls, the ECM updated, and all regular maintenance in Ford's records.

I installed my own lowering springs but let the dealer replace a blown strut. I installed a FlowMaster cat-back exhaust but let the dealer fix the leaking pinion seal I found while crawling under the car. I replaced the pads all around and the rear rotors. I don't mind opening the lines as I have a vacuum bleed kit. Besides, replacing the brake fluid every three years or so is good for the car. I took it back last week for an O2 sensor replacement under extended warranty. $100 deductable and out the door.

 

[Solomon_G]

I am indeed with the exception of the tires. Got tired of paying others to do the regular maintenance crap. I will admit that while they had the car on the rack replacing the tires I had them change the oil.

Heck, doing the brakes myself alone will save me about $500-800

Serpentine belt change at a shop...$150-200. Doing it myself, $20 for the belt and $10 for a new 14mm wrench.

In the long run its gonna save me a ton. Right now, seeing that I am having to buy jacks, jack stands, wrenches, drain pans, funnels, etc, etc...the savings are not as high as they will be when these things come up again.

My accord has 150K miles on it and my goal is for that car to be my daughter's car when she turns 16 in just over 3 yrs. Great little car and plus its a manual so I don't have to worry about too many of her friends driving it and the chances of it getting stolen are reduced as well.

I'll know for sure tomorrow when I pull the plugs and examine things closer, but I am pretty sure the valve cover gasket on my accord is leaking so I may also be replacing that. Hate to replace plugs if theyre just gonna get fouled up by an oil leak. That job is probably the most tedious thing I'll plan on doing (other than parking brake shoes/pads). It is all actually simple work, just time consuming and looks hard if you've never done it before.

Right on man...all the tools i have now are from all the work i learned to do through the years.
Always had to buy the tool for the job.
There are a few things i won't do anymore though.

Hope the car keeps going for your girl to use...that would be a plus not to have to search out and buy one.

Basic maintenance helps a lot.

 

[Solomon_G]

The bad part is I put in an autozone airtek pump...it went out three more time after this each about a month later..pulled that garbage out got a holley (walbro) pump dropped in and never had another problem

I also found out sometimes it's better to spend a few more bucks than to buy the "auto store" brand.

Then again....anymore i ALWAYS research things before i buy...got tired of taking peoples word than finding out later and just that...having to buy a different one...sheesh

 

[rmodel65]

Yeah the airtek was all that was in stock. I had to have someone bring it and tools. I'll never use anything but oem pumps or legit aftermarket like walbro from now on

 

[btseagle98]

I also found out sometimes it's better to spend a few more bucks than to buy the "auto store" brand.

Then again....anymore i ALWAYS research things before i buy...got tired of taking peoples word than finding out later and just that...having to buy a different one...sheesh

lol..."research"

my wife is so sick and tired of me "researching" procedures, parts, cost, etc that she is ready for me to just take the car to the mechanic.

seriously...I've developed some what of an addiction to watching youtube videos of car repairs.

 

[Craftsman]

I have found Amazon to be a good source of aftermarket parts. If you can wait a couple of days for shipping ( I have Prime, so I never wait long), then you can save a lot.

 

[awanatech]

I have found Amazon to be a good source of aftermarket parts. If you can wait a couple of days for shipping ( I have Prime, so I never wait long), then you can save a lot.

Amazon also carries a lot of GM OE & AC Delco parts.

 

[Solomon_G]

lol..."research"

my wife is so sick and tired of me "researching" procedures, parts, cost, etc that she is ready for me to just take the car to the mechanic.

seriously...I've developed some what of an addiction to watching youtube videos of car repairs.

Same here brother....i tell my wife and others, if you want to do something yourself, go look at DIYs on youtube!

Now my wife watches ALL the time for house projects and crafts.

LOL

 

[moe mensale]

It's pretty hard to screw up doing brakes, and if your just replacing rotors and pads\shoes, it's pie...long as you don't open the line your golden.

Yeah, that's what my ex-brother-in-law told me years ago - pie. Then he opened the lines, forgot to balance them and the car made right turns when you hit the brakes. What a dumbass.

 

[Phil1979]

Keep your gas tank at least half full to cool your fuel pump and keep it running longer, if it is an in-tank type pump. Those are the most difficult and expensive to replace.

 

[AtlPhilip]

Keep your gas tank at least half full to cool your fuel pump and keep it running longer, if it is an in-tank type pump. Those are the most difficult and expensive to replace.

This. And I believe the Explorer uses the same top loaded in tank pump as the F150. Not a fun job at all.

 

[Solomon_G]

Yeah, that's what my ex-brother-in-law told me years ago - pie. Then he opened the lines, forgot to balance them and the car made right turns when you hit the brakes. What a dumbass.

Sheesh...yep, i fixed a few like that.

People have someone do it who tells them easy job....then i fix their jacked up work.

C-clamp is your best friend when doing a brake job. :grin:

 

[mog]

Not cracking the line is setting up future problems. Only hard part about a fuel pump is getting to it. Sometimes on trucks it's easier to pull the bed. Some are starting to put in access panels, wow, what a great idea.

 

[mog]

Yeah, that's what my ex-brother-in-law told me years ago - pie. Then he opened the lines, forgot to balance them and the car made right turns when you hit the brakes. What a dumbass.

You mean bleed?

 

[Adam5]

You mean bleed?

I think he does.

 

[moe mensale]

You mean bleed?

Yes. That's what I wanted my ex-BIL to do too. :hardhead:

 

[mog]

BIL's are idiots!

 

[jato]

BIL's are idiots!

2 out of 3 of mine are and one of them is a PhD.