Amateur DIY auto mechanics, a dying breed

[Jonathan]

Neat read:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...rticle4771263/

Likely a little skewed here amongst the DeLorean group. Well, certainly for your "play car," but I can see what he means with your daily driver. I'll dive into just about anything on the DeLorean, but doing the same on the Pontiac G8 worries me a bit.

Maybe time for a poll...

A) I do my own work on all my cars
B) I do my own work on my DeLorean, but not my daily driver
C) I leave auto repairs up to the professionals... and my check book

... or some other options like you do most of the work on your car, but not the real tricky stuff or things needing special tools or a lift?

[tyb323]

Needs option for "Will do easier things (speedo cable swaps, fuel pump, etc.), leave complicated engine work to professionals" =)

[Jonathan]

Needs option for "Will do easier things (speedo cable swaps, fuel pump, etc.), leave complicated engine work to professionals" =)

Agreed.

Mod: I see you set the poll up for us, can you make these edits in mid-flight??

[Jimmyvonviggle]

I've done ;

The otterstat
Fuel pump/sender combo
Alternator
Plugs
Pulled out injectors etc

But for more complicated jobs I will leave it to someone else.


Ironically if it wasn't for the work I did on my D I would never have built up the confidence to redo the brakes on my daily driver.

[Chris4099]

I like that article. Also, newer cars just don't need as much maintenance these days. My daily driver has been out of warranty for 3 years now. It's only needed a new crank sensor o-ring and oil pan gasket during that time (to fix a minor oil leak). The rest has been simple scheduled maintenance.

I think a lot of people see newer cars and get flustered easily. However, they aren't really that bad. Here's a pic of my car when fixing the oil leak. It looks really bad, but it was basic bolting/unbolting of parts. The how-to guild I used was pretty straight forward.

MINI work.jpg

Basically to get to a few bolts and crank sensor, I had to remove the front end and then put it into "maintenance mode" which allows me to pull the radiator/condenser/fan assembly out several inches to access the front of the engine. No need to drain the coolant or other time consuming work. Lots of clever engineering in cars these days!

[Ron]

Agreed.

Mod: I see you set the poll up for us, can you make these edits in mid-flight??

NP!

[Dracula]

What about an option of, "I work on all of my cars BUT the DeLorean." for the rest of us?

If my Cadillacs have an issue, I go for the wrench set. If it's the DeLorean, I reach for my phone and call DMCMW.

[stevedmc]

I do all of my own work except troubleshoot K-Jet problems.

[Dracula]

I do all of my own work except troubleshoot K-Jet problems.

I like French Toast because it's got carbs.

[Spittybug]

Plugs, filters, oil, brakes, basic body work, common electrical, etc.... YES. But as soon as you start getting into "black boxes" or other black arts..... it's gotta go to the pros. (Usually after I at least give it a shot..)