my car has 45k miles and i just been getting the 3k mi interval oil changes since im in college and dont have hundreds for the 15k, 30k, 45k services. if i read correctly, most stuff the dealerships do is replace fluids, check, and inspect. so what can i do myself in terms of servicing my car? thanks

 

valve adjustment
cap and rotor
timing
CV boot replacement
tranny fluid

 

Everything?

 

Yup!

Edit Get a Helms Manual here: www.helminc.com


[Modified by Eva01, 6:19 PM 2/11/2003]

 

You can do pretty much everything. Mostly what your paying for at dealership is labor. Get a helms and read up, build up some confidence doing work yourself, and you'll be good to go. You'll feel better cause your saving money, and you can be sure your car is getting done right.

 

what you can and can't do yourself is based on your own mechanical ability which only you can guage..

but if you have the tools and decent mechanical ability.. I would say you can do everything for the oil changes, 7.5K, 15K, 30K, and so on, etc maintenance...

I have done all my maintenance on my vehicle myself and have done some installs of performance parts and repairs for my car and other peoples cars... it just depends on your ability, tools, and time... pretty much all the maintenance procedures can be done yourself... and yeah its mostly replacing fluids, and or replacing wear items and parts... most of the cost they charge you is labor which you can do yourself...

go buy a helms manual http://www.helminc.com

and a good set of tools, jack and jack stands.. they will all end up paying for themself if you do all your own maintenance, repair, labor, etc..

 

Doing it yourself is a wonderful way to save money, but just know that eventually you will make a mistake doing something and if you have some experience youll probably catch it. Basic stuff is easy just follow helms manual. For hard things like headwork or bottom end work, it is a good idea to have someone with you the 1st time you do it who knows their stuff and can help you.

 

When you are done doing something...always visually go through it all in your head. This usually catches my mistakes. Dont cheat your self on this one. Its VERY important!

 

timing belts have to be a bitch if you dont work on cars no?I just do basic stuff myself plugs,wires,and oil changes.I want to do the timing myself,but I picture myself doing damage to the motor. But the little things I do give me a feeling of satisfaction.

 

anyone know where i can get a "helms" ..thanks

 

http://www.helminc.com

 

timing isnt bad at all...if i did it rite.

 

before i got my ITR i had..and still have (my bro has it) a 99 Ls, it has about 55,000 miles...i just did some self service on it recently, i changed the spark plugs cause they were wasted. i also have been doing the normal oil changes as well. if u haven't changed your air filter that might be a good thing to do or just clean it. timing belts and stuff don't need to be worked on at 45,000 miles. however the only work i wasn't able to do myself was the valves. in the manuel it says they should be adjusted at about 45,000 and when i took it in to be adjusted just as recommend in the book they needed to be. it was about $125 to have em adjusted. good luck with the self service, let me know how it turns out.

 

i want to do a zc swap to my 91 si. how hard do u think it is?