I changed my own engine oil for the first time.

[6730b]

11 hours ago, kojack said:

Any car/truck/SUV that I have owned and was driven in the winter here had it's windshield replaced before it gets any swirls.  They use boulders here for ice control, so sure as there is S*@T in a cat, my glass gets cracked, chipped, stoneshot every winter. 

:O) that is what I have been hoping to happen!! for years!,

A big stone (greatetst chances in winter\snow\salt\grit times) and a real crack \ serious dent then I'd only have to pay a few %'s and the insurance would give me a shiny new screen. But nope, passes all tech inspections, never any real damage, just matted\dulled by wiper wear (van is 19 years! but low mileage and well maintained\reliable\practical so I keep it). And as mentinonned could have throwed a stone and called the insurance, but such activity no (longer lol) part of my lifestyle.

[6730b]

Windscreen report for anyone interested. Have driven today in different low sun front\sides conditions, outstanding improvement.

Sun ahead & could now see the road ...and  the cyclists + someone walking, instead of blinded by a million sun reflection stripes. Cannot see or find any glass degradation at all after the machining, just everything clearer. & an easy, inexpensive, relaxing job. So far 5 x 20 minutes polishing rounds with a good dose of compound each time.

So this Mirka Polarshine bottle does what it says on the label (at least on my specific screen, my way of working, my time spent etc). Vague estimation of how it works, it (well, the polishing machine) will remove some µ mm's thickness of glass. The harder-than-glass polishing particles in the compound will during that of course make 'new stripes', but with a size of 0,003 mm = invisible for driver (and sun), polishing\grinding off the wiper induced stripes which were maybe something like (guessing) 0,1 or 0,05 mm.

On top of now seeing the road ahead, got the dead airconditioning fixed today (currently in south europe, 35 degrees midday) = a great car day 🤩

[Jarhead]

I've finally got around to joining the DIY club

 

[6730b]

...and changed brakepads, front :O)  For the n'th time. Doing such things oneself, the amount of saved money over many, many years = a small fortune not leaving one's bank account.
 

 

[TreeTopsRanch]

Getting ready to change the cabin air filter for the Lexus. Ordered one on Amazon. It goes behind the glove box.

[kojack]

17 hours ago, 6730b said:

...and changed brakepads, front :O)  For the n'th time. Doing such things oneself, the amount of saved money over many, many years = a small fortune not leaving one's bank account.

 

Agreed, I am expanding my workshop this spring and putting a lift for doing my own work.  I have most every tool needed for anything automotive related. Just need a shop high enough to install the lift.  Even the 2500 dollar expensive of the lift will be recouped in no time with 4 vehicles to maintain. 

[Eban]

@6730b I'm glad to see in the picture you put the tyre you just removed under the frame as a backup to the jack. This is how I learnt to do it and it makes me cringe to see idiots put limbs or even heads under a vehicle without this. .....but then again.

I'm not saying we should kill stupid people, but if we just remove every warning sign and let nature take its course 

 

 

 

I had an ignition coil in my car die on the way to work Friday morning. I diagnosed at lunch time with OBD2 dongle I keep in my glovebox and smartphone. I swapped the coil to another cylinder and the error followed it. Ordered a new set from Amazon and will install them tomorrow. 

[6730b]

7 hours ago, Eban said:

but then again.

I'm not saying we should kill stupid people, but if we just remove every warning sign and let nature take its course 

lol++
 

10 hours ago, kojack said:

I am expanding my workshop this spring and putting a lift for doing my own work.

Got a friend who did that, had to 1st build a new garage to get the height ! But therafter immense usefullness.
So much better than destroying back and body wrigling under a car... I give him a hand with stuff now and and he lets me use the lift when needed.

 

7 hours ago, Eban said:

I swapped the coil to another cylinder and the error followed it

The easy & great method for fault finding.
 

7 hours ago, Eban said:

I'm glad to see in the picture you put the tyre you just removed under the frame as a backup to the jack.

Yes, if going to die in a car accident, at least won't be the car falling down on me! Always at least 2 supports, flat surface, park brake on, in 1st gear. Even if not killed or maimed, can (will) do damage to car parts > lots of xtra work. So what an easy and free insurance.

After preparing mentally... am in the process of giving the trusted old van a rejuvenance job, as it overall works very well and still very good regarding rust, just some cosmetics (after 20 years!).
Stabilisator stags, steering rod. More to come...
 

 

[6730b]

Inner steering rod removal and fitting, a few $$ for the tool, makes the impossible possible.

Getting closer to a finish line, rear brakes. Calipers operation fine, everything else nearly completely shot  (but quite normal after 5 winters on salted muddy roads).

Satisfying to know one at the end have a safer car, and saved a lot by doing the work oneself. Parts are very cheap, garage hourly fees not.

All in all, some homework now and then vs garage saved me approx what I paid for the Pixel 8 Pro + the Precision laptop :O)