Well I was nearly home when the radiator decided to spew its guts all over the windscreen, well at least the engine did't get hot.
Only last month I coughed up $700 for a clutch repair and sure pulling gearboxes out is not easy, but he charged me more for the parts than auto pro would of.
Well I'm poorer this time so I'll shop smart online and geez 10 minutes later I'm ordering a new radiator for $120 delivered, wow.
Now at a $100 an hour I think I can managed changing it myself.
Tell us your story of 'do it yourself' jobs.
So why did it fail?
Split hose?
Waterpump?
Thermostat?
Thermostat housing?
Come back when you've finished and let us know how you went..... Often with repairs you are often looking at the 'fuse' or the 'weakest link' rather than the problem.
(Experience from repairing lots of stuff)
A suspension upgrade and both drive shafts in my Hilux.
I would do the suspension again no problem at all, but the drive shafts took me the entire weekend and would be worth whatever extra money it would cost to get a pro to do it.
There was method in my madness though. I was doing a trip to Cape York then back home through Alice then the Great Central Rd on my own. I figured if I was going to bust stuff underneath, I would be better off not learning how to fix it on the side of the road.
I just cleaned out our roof space, bolted down the roof more, adjusted the drainage and gutters, and had a beer, all in under 2 hours that would have cost me over $300 for sure.
Time = Money
I replaced my radiator a few years back and it was a pretty quick and easy job!
Saved a heap of coin as well, pretty pricey to get it done at the garage.
A not so pleasant job was unblocking the septic tanks that had been infiltrated by tree roots...
Select to expand quoteDawn Patrol said..
I replaced my radiator a few years back and it was a pretty quick and easy job!
Saved a heap of coin as well, pretty pricey to get it done at the garage.
A not so pleasant job was unblocking the septic tanks that had been infiltrated by tree roots...
Yep, that's another job I'm due for... Might be paying for that one though.
Select to expand quoteGizmo said..
So why did it fail?
Split hose?
Waterpump?
Thermostat?
Thermostat housing?
Come back when you've finished and let us know how you went..... Often with repairs you are often looking at the 'fuse' or the 'weakest link' rather than the problem.
(Experience from repairing lots of stuff)
The plastic top gave out on a hot day towing a load and the thermal fan does not work as I find out on the side of the road waiting for it to cool down before adding water. It does have a fan on the water pump too that has kept it going I guess. I'm told the plastic gives up after a time and its not worth gluing at $120 for new unit.
Thanks though,I will check out the rest while I'm there.
Radiator's easy, just be sure to use demineralized water if you refill with concentrate. Normal water will rust out the inside of your engine.
I've replaced brake rotors, pads, wheel bearings, idler pulley bearing, belts, clutch master cylinder seals etc, stuff that's easy to do if you do a bit of research first.
However recently I had to get the harmonic balancer replaced, I took it to the workshop for that... it's important not to bite off more than you can chew!
Car servicing is a big waste of money as far as I can tell.
I change my oil and filter every 10,000 and that is it for car maintenance as far as I'm concerned. Takes about 15 minutes, and most of that time is changing into a set of grubby clothes to slide under the car. I always use fully synthetic oil, and 350,000 km later it's still running like brand new. That's Toyota for you. Given the average cost of a service, I think I've paid for my next car already.
Did a set of rings, big-end bearings and cam chains on a bike once, but that wasn't so bad 'cause I could lift the alloy block onto the workbench with my bare hands. Was under $200 for parts at the time, but I imagine the labour cost would have been huge if it was done by a mechanic.
Fitted a tow bar myself to save $80 a couple years ago. Ended up I only had to do up 4 bolts into existing holes!!!
Brake pads, rotors, starter motors, water pumps, belts, gearbox filters and general oil services on my Mitsubishi Magna. Radiator, water pump and belts on our old Falcon. CV joints and brakes on a Audi A4, Drum Brakes on an old Bug, and now the rocker cover gasket and oil change on my Jackaroo. Love getting dirty under a car.
Watch out with some radiators if they have a transmission cooler built in to them like our EL Falcon had, had to top up the transmission after doing a radiator change.
I think I have saved a few $$$$ in the years.
I've done a bit of DIY over the years on my wrx and taxi. Replaced or changed the usual stuff you blow money on to make a car faster, only to fix it when it breaks.. Turbo's, fuel pumps, intercooler, radiator, clutch, suspension parts, fluids etc. have a couple of mechanic mates who'll help out after work.
Cars a such a WOFTAM lol
Never yet spent money on a Jap car, apart from upgrades I wanted to spend.
Since we got a VY Commodore for the missus, fark me it is a $500+ problem every 6mths. POS.
Agree with Harrow, servicing is a waste of money. There is no such thing as tuning an EFI car.
If you change fluids yourself it is $60 every 6mths, then do a a preventative tranny service, squirt of grease in driveline nipples and cooling system every 3yrs.
Cannot believe those who spend $150 for an oil change and 100 point "safety" check often, and $2K (plus!!) on a service once a year. Unless one owns a Holden or Ford made in Australia, in which case it seems that the $2K every year is a necessity just to keep the bugger rolling.
But if I don't get a 100 point check how can I be sure my tyres are still round and my door handles have been functionally checked?
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
Never yet spent money on a Jap car, apart from upgrades I wanted to spend.
Since we got a VY Commodore for the missus, fark me it is a $500+ problem every 6mths. POS.
Agree with Harrow, servicing is a waste of money. There is no such thing as tuning an EFI car.
If you change fluids yourself it is $60 every 6mths, then do a a preventative tranny service, squirt of grease in driveline nipples and cooling system every 3yrs.
Cannot believe those who spend $150 for an oil change and 100 point "safety" check often, and $2K (plus!!) on a service once a year. Unless one owns a Holden or Ford made in Australia, in which case it seems that the $2K every year is a necessity just to keep the bugger rolling.
Once you've had Jap, you'll never go back.
On new vehicles the dealers have you by the nuts, you gotta pay for regular servicing or your warranty is useless. Plus dealer servicing may be more expensive but the resale value of a 5 year old vehicle with full service history will be way more than the same vehicle with backyard servicing.
Select to expand quoteCraig66 said..
All I can say is........
Fully maintained company car 
Join the club.
^^^ In my case - self employed, so paying for someone (that knows more about cars than I will ever do) to service my (aherm) 'work vehicle' makes more sense than me stuffing it up.
Select to expand quoteorynoco said..
On new vehicles the dealers have you by the nuts, you gotta pay for regular servicing or your warranty is useless. Plus dealer servicing may be more expensive but the resale value of a 5 year old vehicle with full service history will be way more than the same vehicle with backyard servicing.
And ironically when I have had cars with stripped out sump plug, bits glued together rather then replaced, shonky wiring, snapped wheel studs from rattle gun, crossthreaded bits everywhere..... always was the result of dealer servicing.
At least the local mechanic gives a sh!t cos it is his business on the line. Find a owner-operator mechanic fella who can do logbook servicing.
This is off the car topic but the original question did ask for any DIY jobs that saved money...
My toilet got blocked and we didnt have much money at all. Wife pregnant and off work. It was either unblock it or wait until pay day and get plumber... Well I manned up and pushed my hand down there and pushed it through...
I used to get a bit queezy gutting fish but now I rip them apart like it is nothing because that experience changed me. Saved a lot if cash though!!
Select to expand quotePaddlePig said...
This is off the car topic but the original question did ask for any DIY jobs that saved money...
My toilet got blocked and we didnt have much money at all. Wife pregnant and off work. It was either unblock it or wait until pay day and get plumber... Well I manned up and pushed my hand down there and pushed it through...
I used to get a bit queezy gutting fish but now I rip them apart like it is nothing because that experience changed me. Saved a lot if cash though!!
Years ago my old boy had a boat with a macerator toilet (chops it up). Worst invention ever. Said boat in marina in town. We lived in sticks. So whenever young myusernam pulled, it was off to the boat we went(too young to bring home anyway) Anyhoo chick decides to use the toilet before we progress. Later on I noticed toilet backed up. Had a sleep and then had to stifle my need to spew as I scooped toilet contents into bucket with hands (dissasembled jammed macerator unit) to tip over side so old man would not find out. Took the glean of the girl I can tell u
I changed a blown light bulb the other day. Certainly beat paying a sparky $90 call out to do it.
Then I changed a tap washer (that is illegal isn't it??) and saved another $90 on a plumber call out.
I am on my fifth house renovation. I reckon I have saved $50,000 with DIY and made about $300,000 profit.
Sold a property couple of years ago, person to person. No agent, no solicitors and no contract. Saved my self about $1,500 and saved the buyer about $3,500.
Mowed the yard myself the other day. Saved myself $50 by not paying somebody else to do it.
Did the grocery shopping myself today and only spent half as much as my wife does.
I reckon you can make a fortune with all these savings from DIY.
Select to expand quotecisco said..
Did the grocery shopping myself today and only spent half as much as my wife does.
I know about that one!!
I walk to the train station, while I watch my neighbours drive their car (and get to the platform the same time as me after searching for a car parking spot). Then later I see them drive to the gym to pay for the exercise I got for free walking to the train.
A couple of times I have bought a 2 year old car with 200,000 km on the clock. Nobody will go near them, so you get yourself an almost new car for next to nothing. Kept them both with no troubles until the family outgrew them. Ha, once this guy was begging me to buy his car because no one would even ring him about it. I stood there silently (the best negotiating technique, sales people hate a customer who won't say a word) while he bidded against himself reducing his price until I felt embarrassed for him and pulled out my wallet.
Select to expand quoteSailhack said..
^^^ In my case - self employed, so paying for someone (that knows more about cars than I will ever do) to service my (aherm) 'work vehicle' makes more sense than me stuffing it up.
I service my car, the missus's car, my sisters car, my brothers car, my twins car, my road bike, 2 dirtbikes and my twin's dirt bike.
Why?
It's cheaper to do it yourself using the best oil (you know, the $90 a bottle stuff) available and knowing the job is done correctly.
Select to expand quotePaddlePig said..
This is off the car topic but the original question did ask for any DIY jobs that saved money...
My toilet got blocked and we didnt have much money at all. Wife pregnant and off work. It was either unblock it or wait until pay day and get plumber... Well I manned up and pushed my hand down there and pushed it through...
I used to get a bit queezy gutting fish but now I rip them apart like it is nothing because that experience changed me. Saved a lot if cash though!!
Gee, I thought you would have been as happy as a pig in shi...... 
just fixed kitchen oven that failed a while ago. my wife threatened me that she would get a brand new one + new hubby too.
that was easy fix thanks to utube and eby.
had to order a part from u.k. for $80 incl. shipping, because in oz same part is $170, wtf ?
as for "diy car fixing", imo falcons are the best.
fordforums is great source of tech and "how to" info + in melbourne the Indian students crash taxi falcons on regular basis making sure there is no shortage of as new cheap parts from wreckers.
Select to expand quoteToph said..Dawn Patrol said..
I replaced my radiator a few years back and it was a pretty quick and easy job!
Saved a heap of coin as well, pretty pricey to get it done at the garage.
A not so pleasant job was unblocking the septic tanks that had been infiltrated by tree roots...
Yep, that's another job I'm due for... Might be paying for that one though.
If you have a few slaves (aka Children, aka what i was) it'll make the job easier.
It isn't too bad to be honest. The smell isnt bad, it kinda just a thick compost. It is amazing the size hole a root will squeeze through and expand on the other side. We're talking like 2-3 mm hole letting roots in, filling a 150 mm pipe like a packed cigarette.
^^^How the heck would you convince the missus to let you send the kids down into the septic tank? 
