Technical Important little jobs for the non mechanic to tackle

[Numptey]

Over the past 8 months or so I have changed the gearbox oil/filter (CVT), had the brakes, water pump and belt changed, most of the exhaust replaced and today changed the engine oil/filter. So in theory the car should be in pretty good condition, goes quite nicely and I'm pleased to have done some of this myself. But is there anything else I should change ie spark plugs, leads and other things I can do myself? The car is running fine by the way.

 

[Ziggy122]

If no history - then spark plugs are cheap About £3 - 4ea
And HT's aren't mega money - they are a simple task most people can do

8v is a little awkward angled, but soooo DIY
16v, just dont drop them down

ziggy

 

[614cooker]

Still best to replace leads and spark plugs what I would say is do a full service, ie fuel filter, airfilter, spark plugs and leads, oil and oil filter, clean the carb by spraying wd40 and wipe and your car will drive like new. You should get close to the original power from your car. If you really want you could even give your engine a oil flush before doing the service then once you have done the service fill the tank and treat your car to some redex. That's about it really for the car side of things everything else is mechanical.

 

[atom0007]

No carb. I'm a parrot.
And fuel filter is not a service item as far as I know

 

[s and b]

i wouldnt do an oil flush personally
i would do plugs and leads
dont skimp here even if it is the more expensive 16 valve model which i guess it is
all wheels off too looking for sticky brakes
then get tyre pressures right too,i like 32psi all round
look for feathering on front tyres indicating tracking out as this will waste lots of fuel

 

[Ziggy122]

Dont use WD40 in the throttle body
Use a solvent cleaner

WD40 been a wet lubricant will cause dirt to restick, a solvent based cleaner will evaporate and leave it clean

Best with Throttle body been off car Brake cleaners cheap and quiet good at alot of things

Ziggy

 

[Brendan W]

Clean off the rust on the front of the sump and paint it.
Open the plugs to the rear light clusters and clean them with contact cleaner and any plugs you can get to in the engine bay.
Oil up under the door handles and do the door hinges as well.
Clean the battery terminals and when refitting the cables put a blob of Vaseline on to prevent corrosion.
Poke out the dirt in the rubber tubes draining the wiper scuttle ( swimming pool)
Lubricate the bonnet catch and the exposed part of the cable.
Check that you can open the wheel screws with the tool in the boot - otherwise a flat is an AA callout.
Check that the wheel screws are tight.

 

[Numptey]

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated. All the brakes have been done and most of the wheels at some time have been off so these I don't need to worry about. Air filter has been done as has oils and filters in engine and CVT gearbox. So looks like plugs and leads and then get rid of the ghastly maroon interior for black seats and door cards. Good polish and that's the wife's car done for a good while as we don't do many miles to be honest.

 

[Andy Monty]

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated. All the brakes have been done and most of the wheels at some time have been off so these I don't need to worry about. Air filter has been done as has oils and filters in engine and CVT gearbox. So looks like plugs and leads and then get rid of the ghastly maroon interior for black seats and door cards. Good polish and that's the wife's car done for a good while as we don't do many miles to be honest.

Look into one of these makes changing plugs much easier


http://www.bennetts.com/ignition-to...-long-10mm-16mm-hex-2089272-313651-683849.php

Think that's the correct size

 

[Numptey]

Thanks, I'm guessing these are a little tricky then?

 

[Andy Monty]

Just a pain to get in and out I uses to mess about with long nose pliaers to get them in the hole as my cheap spark plug tool used to leave the rubber holder behind

 

[Brendan W]

I find a short piece of garden hose useful especially putting them in.

 

[Numptey]

Oh that's a good idea.
What rust, no rust on this car at all, wipers have the standard clips added as the wipers fell off and holes cleaned so no swimming pool. I'll do the other bits you mentioned as soon as, thanks