After having my Taxi cut out on the motorway, after a "Mechanic" failed to connect a fuel line during a service, i've decided to start servicing my car myself. I get through about 50K km a year, so 5 services give or take. Oil filter and oil change seems easy enough, as is the air filter. Fuel filter is a little more tricky, but it's three pipes, one electric cable, two bolts and three screws...simple if fiddly.
Cooler fluid also seems a piece of piss, but i think changing break fluid and timing belt will have to be a job for the professionals.
Who else gets under the bonnet, and what tips do you have for me?
@huckleberryhound saidfor most simple maintenance intervals,
After having my Taxi cut out on the motorway, after a "Mechanic" failed to connect a fuel line during a service, i've decided to start servicing my car myself. I get through about 50K km a year, so 5 services give or take. Oil filter and oil change seems easy enough, as is the air filter. Fuel filter is a little more tricky, but it's three pipes, one electric cable, ...[text shortened]... e a job for the professionals.
Who else gets under the bonnet, and what tips do you have for me?
there will be 4.6 youtube videos on how to do it
most brake master cylinders are see thru/translucent and you can easily see the fluid level
here's a tip, do not change the brake fluid, EVER
if the level goes down (you have a leak) find it, fix that (pro duty), and LEAVE THE BRAKE FLUID ALONE
sorry for the all caps, but this one is important
coolant is a different story, heed the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations
good luck
@huckleberryhound saidMy first car was a knackered Mini 850. Essentially powered by a rubber band. If you knew how to keep the spark plugs clean and the distributor cap dry life was good. Stupidly I let somebody else service it who fitted the oil filter wrong, it dumped all it's oil on the road behind me as I drove away and the engine seized up a couple of blocks away.
After having my Taxi cut out on the motorway, after a "Mechanic" failed to connect a fuel line during a service, i've decided to start servicing my car myself. I get through about 50K km a year, so 5 services give or take. Oil filter and oil change seems easy enough, as is the air filter. Fuel filter is a little more tricky, but it's three pipes, one electric cable, ...[text shortened]... e a job for the professionals.
Who else gets under the bonnet, and what tips do you have for me?
Now I look under the hood of the car and I don't have a clue what is looking back at me. Where is the rubber band now?
@huckleberryhound saidI assisted my father in repairing his Opel Rekord C in the 70's.
After having my Taxi cut out on the motorway, after a "Mechanic" failed to connect a fuel line during a service, i've decided to start servicing my car myself. I get through about 50K km a year, so 5 services give or take. Oil filter and oil change seems easy enough, as is the air filter. Fuel filter is a little more tricky, but it's three pipes, one electric cable, ...[text shortened]... e a job for the professionals.
Who else gets under the bonnet, and what tips do you have for me?
I do only the simplest of tasks, since the motors are really complex and compact and not forgiving.
-Removed-I'm good. I'll be starting off slow. Oil and filter change, then air filter next one, then the fuel fof the third. I was talking to a mechanic friend over messenger for a bit last night, he's going to get a definitive on the timing belt for me. I'll leave the major service for the professionals.
@rookie54 saidI heard you can use a turkey baster, and empty the break fluid well once a year, then top it up. Keeps it fresh, and stops the chance of putting air in the system. Yeah, I'm scared to touch that kind stuff for now.
for most simple maintenance intervals,
there will be 4.6 youtube videos on how to do it
most brake master cylinders are see thru/translucent and you can easily see the fluid level
here's a tip, do not change the brake fluid, EVER
if the level goes down (you have a leak) find it, fix that (pro duty), and LEAVE THE BRAKE FLUID ALONE
sorry for the all caps, but this one ...[text shortened]... ortant
coolant is a different story, heed the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations
good luck
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The only servicing I do by myself is, gassing up, adding windshield washer fluid and washing the vehicles. As an aside we have 3, no 4 vehicles, and every time I take one out the first thing I check is where the gas cap is. Two are on the passenger side and two on the drivers side. I am not any good at mechanical things...or chess.
😲
@great-big-stees saidLook on the fuel gauge on the dashboard. There is a little arrow pointing to the side of the car the tank is on. Next to the little fuel pump symbol.
The only servicing I do by myself is, gassing up, adding windshield washer fluid and washing the vehicles. As an aside we have 3, no 4 vehicles, and every time I take one out the first thing I check is where the gas cap is. Two are on the passenger side and two on the drivers side. I am not any good at mechanical things...or chess.
😲
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@petewxyz saidI have noticed that on three of them, the fourth not. It really does help but only when I remember to look before pulling up to the pumps. I may just put a sticky note on the steering wheels.
Look on the fuel gauge on the dashboard. There is a little arrow pointing to the side of the car the tank is on. Next to the little fuel pump symbol.
@great-big-stees saidI just want an excuse to walk around in dirty jeans.
The only servicing I do by myself is, gassing up, adding windshield washer fluid and washing the vehicles. As an aside we have 3, no 4 vehicles, and every time I take one out the first thing I check is where the gas cap is. Two are on the passenger side and two on the drivers side. I am not any good at mechanical things...or chess.
😲
@huckleberryhound saidGet a garage to change your brake fluid every 2 years. Brake fluid is hydroscopic meaning it absorbs moisture. The brake pedal will become spongy over time and water in the system leads to increased corrosion. Never take a chance with brakes or tyres.
I heard you can use a turkey baster, and empty the break fluid well once a year, then top it up. Keeps it fresh, and stops the chance of putting air in the system. Yeah, I'm scared to touch that kind stuff for now.
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@huckleberryhound saidYou need an excuse. Just do it, I say.
I just want an excuse to walk around in dirty jeans.
@the-gravedigger saidYeah, I'm going to get my break fluid and timing belt changed every 100k, which makes it due next... The rest is on me.
Get a garage to change your brake fluid every 2 years. Brake fluid is hydroscopic meaning it absorbs moisture. The brake pedal will become spongy over time and water in the system leads to increased corrosion. Never take a chance with brakes or tyres.
@huckleberryhound
Whats the make, model, year and mileage of the vehicle?
Are you UK or elsewhere?
Each vehicle is different and so are its owners, if you mess with the brakes, as others have said you are more than likely going to introduce moisture, with brakes "If its not broken don't fix it", with exception to brake pads/shoes or disc's.
If your brake pipes are corroded, then you have no choice, but swapping pipes is easy, you just need to get them made up at a motor factors and then get under the car, again as others have said, loads of youtube videos.
Depending on the vehicle, it might have a timing chain or belt, depending on vehicle, whether it is belt or chain, each give away signs of wear, and again, don't read too much into service intervals if the car has been driven properly and had regular oil changes, but a replacement is not outside the scope of your ability if you have the tools, space and time.
For a taxi, I would change the oil twice with new filters both times, check the magnetic sump plug for metal shards.
Its probably a diesel so fuel filters as well, air cleaner etc.
If it has the normal mileage of over 150k, and it is has been serviced regularly, I would make belts and noises check at the start of every shift, but I wouldn't seek to change any of them if not required.
A taxi is not a car, it's a tool and needs to be checked daily/weekly, you should be doing your pre-flight checks at the start of every shift.
But as I am sure you can imagine, everything is relative and any advice should only be given for your exact situation.
I see the same make of cars that need different things at different times, the service interval doesn't account for crap owner drivers.
Old lady driven cars will never need a new timing belt for example.
And as others have mentioned, your insurance and service record will be used in court if you hurt anyone, a taxi is a tool, not a domestic run around.
Apologies if that last bit sounds abrupt, but the number of Taxis I have seen being operated by plonkers is beyond belief.
And one last point, are you a mechanic or taxi driver, or both, see my point?
Oh, and for what it is worth, your suspension would be my biggest concern in your situation, the oil would be changed as I inspected everything else sort of thing.
Don't be scared to change it monthly.