Service - How To

[vn_calais]

Hi All,

Its time for a service again (done 15,000kms since last service...).
I've always taken my cars to a mechanic to do the services, however this time, with cash being extremely tight, am wanting to do it myself (I am building a house, for anyone that has done that before, you will understand...).

Can anyone please give some advice on how to do a simple service that will keep me running until I can get the cash to do a major with a mechanic.

I am assuming I will need to:

* Change oil
* Change oil filter
* Change spark plugs
* Clean/replace air filter (simple job)
* anything else?

I just changed the spark plug leads about 5,000 kms ago, and have just put in a new radiator, so coolent etc is all good. I also changed the brake pads about 4 months ago.

I am fairly competent with simple mechanics (after having done all that myself), its just I have never actually done a service!

Any advice and pointers to keep my running for the next 6 months would be highly appreciated.

[Mr_Thoughtfull]

if its a v8 change the dissy cap and rotor button. for 30$ makes a big diff
if the car hasdone a few k's perhaps run a 0.1mm less gap on your plugs that they recommend.

[BR377]

Fuel filter is a good idea.

[CLE]

I thought that you would:

1. Change oil
2. Change oil filter
3. Check air filter
4. Check diff oil
5. Check tranny oil
6. Check brake fluid
7. Check battery (unscrew all of the caps and ensure all of the levels are correct)
8. Check power steering fluid
9. Check all the essentials - lights, indicators etc are working....

That's all I can think of at the moment.

[Mark]

um changin engine oil.... drop sump plug.. let it drain... if your going to do oil filter aswell get a filter remover.. or do wat i do stab a screw driver into the side and twist it off like that... put new filter. just run a film of oil around metal seal on the filter then reattach.. fill her up... im guessin u have a v6 so 3.8 litres is required (yes it is the same!! cowincidence aye)
um wat else.. plugs out plugs in simple.. unless u ahve k & n u will need new filter..

[hako]

I agree with CLE - I'm a tight bugger and all I do for a service is change the oil and filter. That costs about $12 for oil and $6 for filter. Check all the vitals but only change/replace if worn badly. Good luck with your house - the pain you go thru to pay it off is all worth it in the end.

[vn_calais]

Thanks guys for your pointers.
When it comes to oil, what do people recommend? I was looking at Castrol GTX-2 and GTX-3. GTX-3 has a rating of 15w-40. is this okay for an 89 vn? or is it too thin of an oil. I was after an oil which would lubricate fast on cold mornings, as I start work in the wee hours of the day when its bloody cold, and the old calais don't like it much....

[Mark]

semi synthetic.. and aslong as the viscosity is good then u should be right,

[vn_calais]

what rating whould i use (ie viscosity)

[Boonz]

10-40 or 15-40 is suitable

[na3point8]

dont bother with cheap kmart oils i use penrite hpr 15 its 15w60 costs 30buks semi synthetic great stuff definately change oil filter 15,000 is abit over due just give it a good check over top up fliuds etc spark plusg air filte fuel mite not be necessary if u have a history check when they were done spark plugs good for 20k i think fuel filter 40k air filter is easy to check yourself