Very Skint - How do I service my car???

Question

I know my way around an engine slightly ( well I can find things!!) and have a Daewoo Lanos S Reg which I think needs a service - I can't afford to pay to have it done and am having problems at the moment getting it to start when its wet - always have to bump start it.
Could someone give me an idea on what the problem could be and also some instructions on how to service it
I have plenty of time to do this on the weekends and the car isnt needed desperatly but would really enjoy having a go at it.
Thank you very much

Answer 1

Poor or not starting when wet is normally caused by one of two things.

Poorly charged battery / low power - most 'garages' or even Halfords do 'free battery testing' at this time of year.

Moisture affecting spark plug leads.

Best thing to do before covering it on 'damp start' or WD40 is to pop off each HT lead from the spark plugs & clean & dry them. A LIGHT spray of water dispersant will help keep the moisture out.
If you can reach it - do the same to the distributer pack / cap end ot the leads.

There are other, less common sources of problems - but start with these - they are practically free to do.

For a basic service - go to a national chain for an oil & filter change - will only be about £20 / £25. It's less messy & then no problems with getting rid of litres of used oil.
Also - go to a motor factor - not 'halfords' and buy a new air filter.

Answer 2

Strickly speaking a service is mostly safety checking , an engine service is the absolute esential part , it is not rocket sience, step one drain oil , do not do it when engine red hot the oil will scald you the engine should be warm undo drain plug at lowest point on engine oil pan have a drain bowl to catch oil when drained replace drain plug and tighten then place drain bowl under oil filter remove oil filter be unscrewing anticlockwise there is a tool for that but as your on a budget you will have to get by without , if you cannot unsrew the oil filter drive a heavy screwdriver through the centre of the filter (oil will run out) Then unscrew anticlockwise screw on new filter by hand tight, then fill engine with oil up to mark , then start car run on tick over untill oil light goes out ,then recheck oil level , top up. check there are no oil leaks from filter ,next, remove spark plugs one at a time each time fitting a new one that way you will not mix up your ht leads , pull out each ht lead from distriutor cap, check that the metel connectors are not corroded if they are clean with an abrasive replace one at a time as you go , then spray all ht leads and distributor with damp start . That is a very basic engine service the other more technical operations you are not skilled in and best left alone . it should than run ok , if it doesn,t there are other proplems and would most likley need skilled help

Answer 3

If you want my advice - put it in to your local garage and tell them your car wont start, just what you said on here. Ask them to identify the problem and quote a price to repair. They will then come back to you, tell you whats wrong with the car, and you can fix it yourself - saves you time diagnosing whats wrong - and the garage isnt likely to charge you for diagnosis. Alternatively the price they give you may be so cheap you cant refuse!

As far as servicing is concerned, go to any motor factor and ask for a service kit for your car - should include things like oil, oil filter, fuel filter, air filter etc. Replace all of these (according to manufacturers guidelines) and make sure you dispose of the used oil in an eco-friendly manner. Check all other fluid levels such as brake fluid, screen wash, power steering fluid etc etc and top up where necessary. Check tyres for wear and thats pretty much the most basic service you can give your car without taking wheels of to inspect brake pads, wheel bearings etc etc.

Best advice if you are serious about maintaining your own vehicle is to purchase a haynes manual.

Answer 4

You can change some of the basic bits yourself which can help the car run better. change the air filter, spark plugs and ht leads. also change the oil by draining the old oil out, normally there is a plug underneat the car at the front and then change the oil filter and fill with new oil. This wont replace a proper service form a garage but it will certainly help.

Answer 5

Keith i'm of the technology whilst, in case you have been a standard working bloke and have been fortunate sufficient to have a automobile, you the two did it your self or it did no longer get accomplished. somebody as quickly as suggested - and there is diverse reality in it - that the main distinction between a Mechanic and a diy guy with a Haynes instruction manual is time. What the diy guy will take an afternoon to do the mechanic will do in 2 hours. yet that grew to become into in the days whilst automobiles have been lots easier than they are actually. some jobs on a widespread automobile require particular approaches and diagnostic kit etc. you may actually do the oil and filters exchange incredibly, you will desire to very probable do a brake pad and shoe exchange. as quickly as previous that it starts off getting extra complicated. some jobs look ordinary in print yet are a nightmare in prepare. The starter motor on a mk3 astra with the Isuzu diesel is a robust occasion. In concept it is purely ondo the wiring, and undo 2 conserving bolts. nicely, in case you attempt doing that with the motor vehicle purely supported with the standard automobile jack or with the nearside wheels up on a intense kerb, you will quickly discover out the real meaning of the word 'frustration'!

Answer 6

you can first take your car to have battery checked at hq tyreservises or ats thay will check battery and to see if the car is charging the battery then take it from there. parts needed for service oil,air and petrol filters oil,plugs plus ht leads before changing the oil take the car for a run this will make the oil thinner and emty easyer you will need something to catch the oil when draining replace oil filter refit sump plug and fill with oil to the mark on the dip stick. advise you to change the plugs one at a time and ht leads as for the rest just take your time and enjoy the money you will be saving best of luck

Answer 7

I always start with the coil, check the coil-> wires-> plugs. Find out if any are cracked or leaking in any way. I am not sure the year of your car but if you have a distributor(unlikely but possible) then I would look at the cap and rotor on it(the spark plug wires attact to it, opposite end of plugs)

Answer 8

Check the Distributor leads and cap first for dampness Spray the leads with wd40 and the cap with the same. Also check the rotor arm for wear or corrosion.

Answer 9

Where are you , I could service your car for you and teach you how to do it for yourself next time , I'm in North East Scotland but travel south regularly to Glasgow area. I could email you and am very good at describing what needs to be done in laymans terms.

Answer 10

if u have a car manual ,all well and good. if not, join your local libery. [hard starter?], use w d 40. spray over plug leads, distributer&enything electic .car maual will help with servicing.