Who does their own servicing?

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scatter

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Joined
Jun 25, 2009
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39
Location
Carina, Brisbane
It's pretty clear that there's a wealth of knowledge around here and i was wondering who here does their own servicing? It's something i'd really like to get into but i'm a rank amateur. Is there a guide i can get a hold of to introduce me? what sort of expertise and tools will i need?

cheers, sam
 
i do, but im not where the car is upside down and the fluids want to run out of it :)

i assume you have something like Haynes Manuals over, there. Thats a good place to start.



nipper
 
I do everything that I'm comfortable with. A Subaru oil change is about the easiest one out there.:) Nice thing about Subies is that they are very user friendly when it comes to servicing. An excellent resource is ScoobyMods, if I don't know the answer to something I'll often find it there. (Please, if at all possible, make a donation, ScoobyMods is a great resource and can always use your $upport) Also, use the search button here, myself as well as others have done some nice write ups on a few things and, of course, encourage more write ups as folks do different things.:poke:

Easy DIY stuff; brakes, spark plugs/wires (N/A anyway), air filter, alternator and A/C belts, O2 sensors, and I'm sure there is more I'm not thinking of right now....

Just do as much research as possible and don't get in over your head (I'm not doing Blubaru's timing belt) and have fun with it.:iconwink:
 
Never been to a mechanic and don't intend to start going to one either. I've done just about everything except gearboxes - this is what I'm working on now, not a renewal project but one to fit the EJ into my L without the use of an adaptor plate (this will avoid an engineer's cert but is the 'long' way around ;))

Find a mate who knows how to do it that can show you the way around your engine bay/subi and go from there. Just don't go draining the gearbox oil when you're doing an engine oil change - I've had a mate that do that on his first oil change from advice from another mate... To subaru's credit the gearbox lasted about 400km without oil in it :surprised:

All the best!

Bennie
 
cheers everyone :)

so can anyone tell me what the Aussie equivalent of these Haynes manuals might be?

sam
 
Lert said:
They are Haynes manuals here as well..
Click to expand...

Which are the same company that produce the gregories manuals...

Cheers

Bennie
 
yeah same as freddo on this one. Although I have actually been to a mechanic.. But basically I just used his tool (press, because we didn't have one then) and gave him $5. So I went to a mechanics shop for help but not a mechanic.

I learned everything I know from my dad, brother and off the internet. I've got a Gregory's manual and its pretty good for beginners. So I could recommending getting one of those

EDIT: Oh I tell a lie.. I've actually had to take a head to an engine shop to get the exhaust stud hole welded and recut.. I did try it myself first with argon, ally wire and the mig but couldnt get the head hot enough for long enough as its like one huge heatsink. Anyhow.. I'll try just about anything before taking it to an expert.
 
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I just started doing my own service.
I started with oil change and will work up from there. Fluid changes are quite easy and satisfying to do myself. The more complex repairs get left to experts.
 
Lert said:
They are Haynes manuals here as well..
Click to expand...
Has anyone seen them for the more modern Foresters, though? I looked here https://www.haynes.com.au/category51_1.htm and they're only listing the older models. Am I looking in the wrong place? Used and loved** Haynes a lot in the past with other cars.



** Apart from occasional instructions like: "gearbox service: first, remove gearbox from car and place on bench. Then service, as appropriate for model and year. Installation is the reverse of removal." :lol:
 
I have done my Subaru for years , Using Subaru parts , Oil , Belts , Plugs , filters etc .
Lots of people to ask this site , save on service costs to buy some tools .
 
yeah i do all my own basic servicing. haven't learned how to do the timing belt yet but i'll get around to it in about 30000k's;) servicing is quite easy and a lot cheaper and once you buy the tools you got them for good:)
 
Subaru's are so easy to work on so of course I do my own- one reason I bought a Subaru. I am not a fan of east west engines. Look on the internet for workshop CD's, or E-Bay. I picked up a CD on the Impreza for a about $10 or less on E-Bay. Although it is for US spec cars, most of the basics apply, although it had nothing on the WRX version of the car.

As for tools, only basics tools are required for normal servicing- including the right oil filter tool. You will need more specialised tools for engine work, such as removing cams and pistons. Or changing the timing belt unless you get creative. I use a compressor for bleeding the brakes and clutch and to run rattle guns, but that is because I am lazy.

In the past, I have found service manuals to be of limited value. Great for torque specs and so on, but they can understate things when they simply say "Remove cylinder head" or something without any further helpful information.
 
haha. I'm going to become creative around my house because in about a month it should be finished, and then I'll be busier than a brickie in Baghdad turning it into a home.
 
Im about to tackle cam belts in my Outback - what specialist tools will i need?

cheers
 
You will need to find a way of taking the harmonic balancer off. I use a long breaker bar up against the chasis rail and turn the key for a very small amount of time. Just engage the starter for a second, if that. No more- do not want the engine starting! The balancer should wiggle off.
 
When in doubt, read the instructions! Excellent idea Kevin.
 
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