SWalker said:

Go for it. I always do my own work. One time I didn't- I got myself an 87 quattro with full history so I left it in to get the stamp. Feck that, the main dealer used the wrong oil, only changed 1 oil filter , there's 2, didn't have the other one, broke a fog light fixing a bulb that wasn't blown...never again.

Click to expand...

Henry_b said:

You might want to work out how axle stands work before going anywhere near your car


Anyway!

As said above if you want a job done right, do it yourself!!

Click to expand...

4Bee4Bee said:

The Heinz Manwell and downloading a copy of RAVE are good reference points, then look through the threads on here to see how others have tackled things.

There is something rewarding about doing these things yourself and learning along the way. Even when you are stuck underneath the vehicle loosing skin off your knuckles trying to get a 15 year old rusted nut to shift!

Click to expand...

Novice_27 said:

i love my 2004 Freelander TD4 3dr sport auto. 78,000 miles. I have It serviced every year with a local mechanic who I’ve trusted for years with the little steed.. However I am beginning to have doubts.

This weekend the TD4 started billowing black smoke. My world was ending ahhh my baby was dying. I had a look on this forum and it turns out to be a intercooler hose. Had a look and sure enough it was the first hose and it was a 3 inch gash. By the power of the internet I recon I can get a bit of hose and tackle this problem.

HOWEVER in reasearching the TD4 there seems to be quite a few things I could tackle. I watched a video of a chap in Greece servicing his 06 TD4. I then had a look at my engine bay and it is a right mess. The screws are missing all over the place. The intercooler pipes are not secured and I am doubting that hardly ANY of the filters have been done. I wonder if the oil has been changed as there is a big pan to remove and they would have just sodded it probably

I recon I could do a lot more little jobs and sod the mechanics. I can mend the intercooler hose just for now but there is so much rust underneath.... The bar things that go to the front wheels are very very rusted. My anti roll bar rubber bits at the back are grumbling and I am missing so many screws and stuff I don’t know where to start. Especially with this new MOT all these bits need sorting with love.

I got tools and I’m reasonably handy but I don’t even know how to use axle stands. One major problem is knowing what things are called. I cannot lookup help if I don’t know what it’s called hehe

ITS NOT ABOUT THE MONEY it about giving the love. It is such a great little car even though there is no diff lock it gets me everywhere I aught to be and some places I shouldn’t.

So hello to you all I might fire the odd question? Or post the odd photo asking what’s this called etc. I think it might be fun

Thank you all

Click to expand...

GrumpyGel said:

Yeh, go for it. When I was young I did bits and pieces on my car, but then just put them into a garage after that. Then got fed up with garages doing a poor job, so decided to do all maintenance myself. I've had my Freelander for 8 years and done all the maintenance on it apart from changing the timing belts. I'm no ninja mechanic, but have kept the old girl reliable and in decent condition. Most jobs on a car don't require an awful lot of knowledge, especially when there's help on the forum, but they do usually require care which you'll give it if you're doing you're own car. Freelanders are very easy cars to work on. You get a bit more space to work in as its a bit bigger than a 'normal' car, but all the bits are 'car' bits rather than big heavy cumbersome 4WD truck type bits. Its a good combo for working on them.

As for the axle stands, like most things, nobody knows what to do with them when they first need to use them in anger. Just ask around for advice. I've had my car up on axle stands on numerous occasions and it still scares me a bit. I won't get under the car if its on axle stands if I can help it - I will either drive (or jack) the car onto blocks (I use paving blocks but search hippo ramps!) or use my inspection pit (I'm lucky to have one). I try to only use axle stands when doing stuff like brakes when I'm working side on to the car. Even then, I'll still have both my trolly jacks supporting bits and the wheels below the sills

As said, you'll get a great deal of satisfaction from it, even if getting to that point may be fraught at times, and you'll save yourself a load of cash. I think of it as one of my hobbies - which it is.

Click to expand...

Stuart hall said:

But G, weren't cars made out of canvas when you were young ( sorry )

Click to expand...