I noticed my radiator was leaking the other day so I took it down to my mechanic to have him replace it....well 280 bucks later it's all good. What I want to know is how many of you take your car to a mechanic to be fixed, and how many do it yourself. I don't know a lot about the intricacies of an engine, but I know enough that I am comfortable to dabble here and there. How many of you think it would have been a lot cheaper and easier for me to replace my radiator...or was it worth it just to take it to a mechanic?

 

DIY all the way. Get a helms , a nice set of tools, 3ton jack and jackstands and your set.

Edit: Definately would have been cheaper to have replaced your radiator yourself. All you have to pay for is parts. Also radiator intall is really a peice of cake. Probaby could get it done in 2-3hrs.


[Modified by Eva01, 5:29 PM 2/7/2003]

 

radiators are fairly simple just nuts, bolts and 2 hoses, and take the fan out. it is a job that you can do at home, if you never done radiators b/4, then you could do it with a service manual.

 

That's what I thought....in the past I have never thought of doing the work on my own car and I just take it to my mechanic, but as I learn more I start to realize that I could probably do some of the work myself. I just wanted to see what other people had to say.

 

I have done a radiator before. Very simple. We had to have someone else recoil the radiator though. I like to do my own stuff, but if I cant do it or am not sure if I can I wont try it.

 

this is not really a technical thread, per se, but I would recomend doing your own work, start off small and work your confidence and experience up. don't go replacing your engine if you have never changed your oil before, it is just like baseball, you have to learn how to swing the bat before you can learn to hit a homerun.

you will do yourself a great service in the end by learning how to do this stuff on your own.

 

My car has not been to a mechanic since I bought it June of 2001. I've put over 40K miles on it since then and I have done all maintenance myself, except timing belt which a friend did for me. However I'm pretty confident now that I could do it myself, especially since I just got a Helms manual for Christmas. I'm going to need a new clutch here real soon, and I plan on doing that myself (will be my first attempt). My friend is also swapping his Civic 1.5L engine for a 1.6L SOHC VTEC next weekend. It will be the first swap either of us have done ourselves, but it should be a pretty easy swap and will be great for experience (we will also be changing the clutch and flywheel, installing timing belt, new camshaft, etc.).

 

Oh yeah!! Clutch changes are fun fun! I have yet to have a chance to swap a motor but I'm planning either a swap or a nice engine build up sometime in the future.

 

I bought my own radiator for $125, it was all metal and had lifetime warranty. I installed it myself and saved lot's of cash....

 

once you look beyond what it is you are doing...

everything is just a couple of nuts and bolts

 

All you need is the confidence to overcome what you are taking on. Fear of failure is everyone elses dilemma.

I'll try to fix anything at all- I learn from it all and enjoy doing it.

 

I love when people pay to get their car fixed

<-----goin to school to get my ASE

 

I bought mine new in April 1994 and, except for a couple of warranty issues, it hasn't been to a mechanic at all. I haven't paid a dime for any labor charges, with two exceptions: 1) window tinting, and 2) wheel mounting/balancing. And with the wheels I actually take the wheels off the car, drive them to the tire shop, have them do the work, then take them back home and install them myself since I can't trust tire shops not to overtorque the lug nuts. If only I had my own tire changing machine...

 

well i am a level one motor vehicle mechanic apprentice technician
i can do it myself, thus saving money, all you need is time

for the do it yourselfer, its nto a hard job
280 is too much

 

Very well said. It's the truth. with almost any mechanical job.

 

Yup.

 

Hey guys how much do helm manuals go for?

 

There about $73 shipped.

Go to www.helminc.com to order

 

well i am a mechanic and i do all the repairs myself hteir is no way i can justify spending the money when i can do it all myself.

 

ya meto im a drunk mechanic.......lol