I don't know much about cars but would like to start learning. I don't like going to mechanics and knowing absolutely nothing about what they do (like the guy in the commerical). My last mechanic charged me $90 for a new high-pressure power steering hose, $20 to replace the power-steering fluid and around $50 for labour! Even I know that's a rip!

Anyway, I bought a 2002 TJ two weeks ago and would like to start doing some of the routine stuff myself. I figure best place to begin is with an oil & oil filter change and then maybe a fuel filter change but I need to get some basic tools first.

What do you guys think is better: jack stands or wheel ramps for this sort of thing? Around how much do they cost and where can I get them from? Also, is filter wrench really necessary to unscrew the thing or can I get by without one?

Finally, I heard that you should replace the stump plug crush washer whenever you change the oil. Is that true and if so where can I get one of those from?

Sry for all the noob questions but gotta start somewhere, right?

apart from overpricing the power steering fluid if it was the high pressure hose that was replaced then you weren't ripped off.
If you don't know much about cars then don't start doing your own services there is a lot of visual inspection of safety items that a mechanic does while your car is on a hoist and he is changing your oil and filter.
Most tafe's offer an introduction to mechanics course or a pre-apprenticeship course in mechanics. Both are fairly short and would be time well spent if you want to learn more about cars and currently know very little.

I'm a full time uni student. Don't really have the time to take up more studies. I don't need to know how to overhault an engine or anything like that, just the basics. Filter changes, break-pad checks, fluid changes and the like. I'll leave the rest for a mechanic but I want to at least know what a break-pad looks like!

what you realy need then is to watch the mechanic do the service or get someone who knows what they are doing do one for you, so you can learn what each item is, and what is required

kufu, my advice is to buy the gregories or haynes manual for your car.

Whilst reading this you will come to understand what does what in your car, how to remove and replace it, what tools you'll need etc etc.

Also www.howstuffworks.com is an AWESOME site for understanding how engines work, how Constant Velocity (CV) joints work, how gearboxes work, turbos, superchargers etc anything..you name it, it's there.

I'm a full time uni student. Don't really have the time to take up more studies. I don't need to know how to overhault an engine or anything like that, just the basics. Filter changes, break-pad checks, fluid changes and the like. I'll leave the rest for a mechanic but I want to at least know what a break-pad looks like!

For an oil and filter change, I use ramps, a catch pan of say 10L capacity, a shifter can be used if you don't have ring spanners, and a long strong screw driver and a hammer.

If I can't remove the filter by hand, hammer the screwdriver thru the filter with the hammer. Use the screwdriver as a handle to unscrew the filter. Sure the filter is destroyed, but you weren't going to hose it off and reinstall it now were you ;)

i 2nd the suggestion of getting a gregorys manual for ure car, i get one for what ever car i work on, extreamly usefull, and it gives u a basic list of tools ect u might need and alot of the time u can pick one up for like $15 on ebay to save getting it new

Already bought a Haynes manual last week. :)

Yeah oil and filter change is easy enough, just remember only put in enough oil to get to the max point on the dip stick!!!!!! You might think thats obvious, but I know someone that kept pouring till it came out the top... :bowrofl:

Fuel filter is easy too, but remember to de-pressurise the fuel system as its EFI. The manual will tell you how.

Stuff like brake check and all the other safety checks, get someone who knows how to step you through and explain it all step by step.

Is your car under warrenty? Cause Im not sure if doing your own servicing will void that...

Have fun!
Pete

Yeah oil and filter change is easy enough, just remember only put in enough oil to get to the max point on the dip stick!!!!!! You might think thats obvious, but I know someone that kept pouring till it came out the top... :bowrofl: yes... i know someone who did that to their hyundai excel... :bowrofl:


not only do you have to make sure the oil is at the MAX level - you should run the motor for a bit after putting in the new oil so the oil filter is full of oil - then recheck and top up the oil...

i did automotive cert 1 at school - and it's proven worthy cos with the help of my dad (who was young once and fiddled with cars all the time) and grandpa (my gramps worked at mistubishi) we attempt to do anything we can on the car... like put in new suspension, service the car, new brake hoses/calipers, etc - also the gregories helps out with specific details to do with the car...

it good to have someone who knows what they are doing to help out...

just remember only put in enough oil to get to the max point on the dip stick!!!!!! You might think thats obvious, but I know someone that kept pouring till it came out the top... :bowrofl:

Hehe, even I know that.

One thing I'm wandering about though, will I have problems if I use front wheel ramps or 2 stands under the front wheels? Because the car won't be level. But I think the stump plug is towards the end of the container so draining should be ok I think.

Just remember to put the car back on the ground before you check the oil level after refilling it. Otherwise very inaccurate reading

With the fuel filter, after de-pressurising the system do you need to clamp the intake/outlet lines before removing the filter? The Haynes manual doesn't say to do it but wouldn't fuel still come through those lines?

release the fuel cap ,a little fuel will come out of the lines but not much.

btw if you want the last poer steering high pressure hose i replaced was on a 300zx tt and the hose from nissan was 276 dollars and 80 labour..... it is reall trick to get to lucky i have small hands. so it isnt a rip off

The hi-psi power steering hose was for a VN commodore. I looked around afterwards and found a new one for around $60. Also, the VN engine is pretty spacious. I don't think it would be that hard to get to. And $20 for power steering fluid?! I bought 2 bottles from local auto-barn for less then that.

Edit: Recently I took the VN in for a radiator hose change. Hose+labor+new coolant cost around $70. But I think they didn't even change the coolant. It was the same level as when I took it in (just under half)!

Already bought a Haynes manual last week. :)

Good stuff ;) now get reading *wpptttcchhh* :badgrin:

I think the Haynes manual assumes some familiarity with engine maintenance as it doesn't really go into small details on how to do stuff. It concentrates more on the specifics of the car which I guess is fine for someone who knows what they're doing but I'll need to refer to some more general resources as well.

I think the Haynes manual assumes some familiarity with engine maintenance as it doesn't really go into small details on how to do stuff. It concentrates more on the specifics of the car which I guess is fine for someone who knows what they're doing but I'll need to refer to some more general resources as well.

Yes the gregories is better for more generals with the car.

www.howstuffworks.com is a great general resource mate. Use it :D

Yeah oil and filter change is easy enough, just remember only put in enough oil to get to the max point on the dip stick!!!!!! You might think thats obvious, but I know someone that kept pouring till it came out the top... :bowrofl:



I have seen someone do it on a aston martin DB7, not goo i tell you

yes... i know someone who did that to their hyundai excel... :bowrofl: .

So they only had to put 50 llitres of oil instead of 3 ??? :bowrofl:

So they only had to put 50 llitres of oil instead of 3 ??? :bowrofl:

well not quite that much... but i believe they put two bottles worth in...

whatever it was... there was plenty of smoke coming out the back... and it sounded terrible...

and they didn't know you had to change the filter...

Anyway, I bought a 2002 TJ two weeks ago and would like to start doing some of the routine stuff myself. I figure best place to begin is with an oil & oil filter change and then maybe a fuel filter change but I need to get some basic tools first.

What do you guys think is better: jack stands or wheel ramps for this sort of thing? Around how much do they cost and where can I get them from? Also, is filter wrench really necessary to unscrew the thing or can I get by without one?
Wheel ramps are better for lazy ppl - don't have to do any labour with the jack.
I bought some ramps for $25/ea... but beware - doublecheck your clearance first!!
My ramps *just* clear my KJ's front spoiler by about 5mm... :shock:
And they're too high for our CC Lancer GLXi (standard factory front lip).

Ramps are really only good for oilchange and exhaust work.
Other jobs you gotta take off your wheels... :D

I've also got a Trolley Jack and a hydraulic Bottle Jack; buy a trolley first.
Plus also 2pr of axle stands... mantra: DO NOT CRAWL UNDER A JACKED CAR EVER!!
The car MUST always be on solid axle stands before crawling under it - safety first.

Get some large sheets of cardboard, use them to protect your garage floor.
Doublelayer of cardboard is much more comfy to lie on than solid concrete.

Buy a decent socket spanner set, don't skimp on this or you'll regret it.
You need a socket to take off a 3rd gen's sumpplug, a shifter DOESN'T work for this.

Buy some decent screwdrivers, I like Stanley.

Pliers in many different sizes - just buy the cheapest china red handle stuff.

Locking pliers... hmm, I swear by "Vice Grips" - love the brandname.

You can buy special filter wrenches but on the 3rd gen I just used a belt wrench.
Its a rubber or leather belt with a handle, works great elsewhere too.

Buy a digital multimeter for electrical probing, they're dirt cheap < $20 these days.

Buy an "X" wheelnut brace, best $10 you'll ever spend.
With a trolley jack and an axle stand, you can rotate your tyres in 10 mins.

A nice worklight is good too. I like a compact fluoro bulb in my worklamp, they're less hot.

Thanks Magnette. Sounds like good advice.

Just as a side note. If you need to take the filter off with any type of wrench it's on way too tight.

They should be put on firmly by hand only. They wont loosen or come off. If they're too tight it can screw the rubber seal. You *should* be able to take off the filter by hand.