E39 DIY

[sclass]

I have to ask; How much d.i.y can I do on my car? I'm asking this with particular reference to basic maintainence/service bearing in mind I have no mechanical experience.

I just think we get overcharged so some things that we may be able to do ourselves. I'm personally gatvol of being taken advantage of. Like Zaleonard says, it all starts with a willingness to get ones hands dirty and acquiring some basic tools. I don't mean we should undertake to tackle all the challenges our cars throw at us but that some basic know-how can save thousands in labour bills. Add to that the plentiful knowledge on this forum, one could be in good shape!

Talk to me fellas!

 

[zaleonardz]

Well you know my view on the subject already... :thumbsup:

 

[Raybimmer]

DIY , IMHO is a good thing if you have the correct attitude . Simple tasks like loosening a sump bolt and draining the oil , replacing an oil filter and air cleaner element are money savers , this money can be used to buy more tools etc .:clap:
Knowing the car does help , when it idles rough for instance , maybe a vacuum pipe came loose , five minutes to find fault , one minute to fix !:thumbsup:
If you know what it takes to fix , you may look after it !!!!

 

[Billy the Kid]

My view on this, I do not trust a mechanic because they take shortcuts and it comes back and bite the owner in the ass not the mechanic. Therefore I do everything myself - we as humans are never to old to learn as long as the wellingness and the physical ability are present we can do anything, the knowledge we get by asking questions or using a manual, easy as that.

I am always willing to assist when it comes to playing with spanners as long as there is an alcholic beverage close to hand hehehehe

William

 

[sclass]

I feel you on the alcohol!

After what I've been through I really want to do the basic maintenance myself, so I'm getting my self some basic tools once I've the car going.

Quick question; Do I really need to get a top overhaul kit or can I just replace my blown gasket?

 

[zaleonardz]

Well,

That raises the stretch bolt issue.

Your headbolts are considered to be stretch bolts, IE they stretch as you torque them down, and therefore you should not reuse them.

These bolts are expensive. but this is a classic case of a shortcut some mechanics would take, reusing old bolts, as BTK points out, mechanics dont care about future problems....

 

[StK]

http://www.bimmerdiy.com/dir/e39

Might also be an idea to get hold of a Haynes manual or Bentley manual too :thumbsup:
Start with doing small things to let your confidence grow :thumbsup: although saying that my first job I did on my E36 was to replace the complete heating/cooling fan and facia unit...not an easy task.:lol:

 

[sclass]

I'm by no means doing this job myself!! But I want to be sure of the parts I'm buying and that I really need to get them.

I was aware of the headbolts I'll definately get those (R26-00 per at the stealers, I'm told I need 16 and that they're unequal in length????). Also get oil filter and new spark plugs. But that top overhaul kit is R3,700 (stealers) so I don't want get get it only to find it was unnecessary. Aren't these kit for worst case scenarios??

 

[zaleonardz]

Ok they are not that expensive... though they were more.. not too sure about the length though...

you may do well to pop the head(s) past an engineering works, let them check tolerances, and tell you what to replace, may cost you an hours labour, but perhaps worth it.

 

[sclass]

Yeah I think for now that's the best plan. I guess I'll only know when that head comes off.

Fingers crossed!! :mmm: