[dhanushs]

This thread is dedicated to all DIY'ers and guys who love to get their hands greasy working on their beauties. .


This thread will cover most the DIY's one can do on your car, from your home/elsewhere, with a simple toolkit. The below mentioned DIY's will be covered in the coming posts. Do let me know if I'm missing anything.

• Oil change
• Oil filter change
• Airfilter change/cleaning
• Fuel Filter change
• Headlight bulb change (Including indicator, parklights)
• Tail/brake lights change
• DIY in the event of a puncture
• Windsheild wiper change
• Fuse change, position with relevance, and symptoms
• OBD port, and plugging in.

I will start off with the car I own now. A Ford IKON Flair (Petrol). 2007 Model, with odo @~1.1lac kms.

P.S - These are the methods followed by me/others successfully. Try this at your own risk.

Direct Links to the DIYs:

• Replacing the Headlight bulbs
• How to check if fuel pump not working/clogged or fuel filter clogged
• Detailed animation about the Ford ROCAM internals and its working
• How to tackle AC Diverter Valve Issue in a Ford IKON (All models)
• Locations of the OBD Port, Fuel Cut off Switch, and the Fuse box
• How to clean/replace Air Filter
• Cleaning/Replacing your Fuel(Petrol) Filter
• Replacing the Tail Lamps
• How to remove and replace your windshield wiper
• Adding An Additional Brake Light for Ford IKON Flair!
• Honda Civic Fuse and Relevance

Know your Engine Bay

• Ford IKON Flair
• Honda Civic
• Alto 800cc

[amitwlele]

@dhanushs - Thanks for starting this thread. Would be following this thread for expert inputs and hope to do some DIY stuff on my car and save on some garage expenses.

[dhanushs]

I'm going to start off with the most useful and pretty simple DIY. Replacing the Headlight bulbs. This knowledge can be particularly useful for those going on long night drives, as the HL bulbs can be replaced from the road side with the help of just a screw driver and a torch light.

CAR: Ford IKON Flair (Petrol)

DIY: Replacing the Headlight bulbs

Tools Required: A simple screw driver. Preferably star.



Step 1: Pop the hood.



Step 2: Remove the Grille.

For removing the Grille, you have to simply remove the clips that hold it on both sides. As shown in the figure.




Step 3: Unscrew the assembly.

There are three screws to be unscrewed.



Step 4: Pull the HL Assembly out.

Now, might be tricky for the 1st time. You have to move the HL Assembly slightly towards the right, then towards you and then again towards the right+towards you.



Step 5: Unpin the connectors

For removing the connectors, you have to press the clip that holds it in place and pull it out.





The HL Assembly



Step 6: Remove the Headlight bulb cover:

Removing the bulb cover is pretty easy. You just have to push the clip and pull the cover up.




Step 7: Removing the bulb

After removing the cover, for removing the bulb, you have to press and unlock the clips that hold the bulb secure. Clips are marked in the picture.




Step 8: Change the bulb

Pretty simple. Pull from the holder.




After that repeat the steps 7,6 and 5 backwards.

Step 9: Replacing the HL assembly.

Now, again this might be tricky for the 1st time. While replacing the HL Assembly back, you have to make sure that its locked correctly. ie, as shown in the picture, the projected part slots correctly into the slot provided.





After which repeat steps 3,2 and 1. There; you are good to go. Practice it once from your home and you can change your bulbs in 10 mins by the road side.

[blackasta]

Nice thread dhanushs.
One small addition from my end - for Hyundai i10 - ones does not need to remove the grill. Only undo the screws and the headlight should come out. Also - for the drivers' side headlight, a screw that keeps the air intake in place also holds the headlamp. That screw must be undone and the air intake be tucked aside to take out the DR side headlamp in i10 (1.2 Kappa).

[vigsom]

Originally Posted by dhanushs

Do let me know if I'm missing anything.

• Oil change
• Oil filter change
• Airfilter change/cleaning
• Fuel Filter change
• Headlight bulb change (Including indicator, parklights)
• Tail/brake lights change
• DIY in the event of a puncture
• Windsheild wiper change
• Fuse change, position with relevance, and symptoms
• OBD port, and plugging in.

Great start Dhanushs

Please add these too

• how to repair a puncture in a tubeless tyre
• side view mirror change
• Door side panels opening and fixing
• HU installation
• Coolant change(much simpler than an oil change)
• Brake fluid replacement(this one is a tad tricky)

[alto99]

Although I like the idea of this thread, making it car specific will be better in terms of searcing for info in a thread for a specific model.
For example for changing head lamp bulb in Alto, one does not need any tools/ headlamp itself need not be removed and its literally a 2 min job whereas for ikon as shown above the process is a bit elaborate...

[Fordmanchau]

Awesome thread Dhanush, awesome start to it. The pictorial explanation is very nicely done and what a time for this thread.
My indicators and horns were not working for last two days, I checked the fuse box, read the symbols, searched for the appropriate fuse, found it fused and replaced it.Nothing happened.
Took it to service centre today, where they just replaced a another fused fuse just below the one I replaced and everything is fine.

Therefore, my humble suggestion, please do add a litte pictorial about the fuse placements and it's replacement. Most basic thing but often we people are really ignorant about this. If I would just had the patience to look for all the fuses, my trip to service centre and back would have been saved.

Originally Posted by vigsom

Please add these too

Originally Posted by alto99

Although I like the idea of this thread, making it car specific will be better in terms of searcing for info in a thread for a specific model.

Boy, looking at the above quoted posts, you have a big job in hand!!
All the best.

[ravi_23]

Very nice thread, will be really useful for many Will be keenly following this thread for more updates on DIY things

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by vigsom

• how to repair a puncture in a tubeless tyre
• side view mirror change
• Door side panels opening and fixing
• HU installation
• Coolant change(much simpler than an oil change)
• Brake fluid replacement(this one is a tad tricky)

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. The above DIY's are those which I have done. I will also include the Door side panel opening and fixing, side mirror change. I'm not sure if Brake fluid replacement as a DIY is a good idea. You know, if some inexperienced DIY'er does it and something goes wrong... IMO, better to leave that to professional hands.

Originally Posted by alto99

... making it car specific will be better in terms of searcing for info in a thread for a specific model....

Initially, even I thought of making it like that, but upon experienced opinion, decided to post it like this.

Originally Posted by Fordmanchau

Therefore, my humble suggestion, please do add a litte pictorial about the fuse placements and it's replacement. Most basic thing but often we people are really ignorant about this. If I would just had the patience to look for all the fuses, my trip to service centre and back would have been saved.

Yes, fuse replacements will definitely be covered. but then, I still have to figure out some of them.. Will wring out some time, and post it. Will PM you more about it.

Originally Posted by Fordmanchau

Boy, looking at the above quoted posts, you have a big job in hand!!
All the best.

[vina]

Originally Posted by dhanushs

This thread is dedicated to all DIY'ers and guys who love to get their hands greasy working on their beauties. .


This thread will cover most the DIY's one can do on your car, from your home/elsewhere, with a simple toolkit. The below mentioned DIY's will be covered in the coming posts. Do let me know if I'm missing anything.

• Oil change
• Oil filter change
• Airfilter change/cleaning
• Fuel Filter change
• Headlight bulb change (Including indicator, parklights)
• Tail/brake lights change
• DIY in the event of a puncture
• Windsheild wiper change
• Fuse change, position with relevance, and symptoms
• OBD port, and plugging in.

I will start off with the car I own now. A Ford IKON Flair (Petrol). 2007 Model, with odo @~1.1lac kms.


P.S - These are the methods followed by me/others successfully. Try this at your own risk.

Originally Posted by vigsom

[/list]Great start Dhanushs

Please add these too

• how to repair a puncture in a tubeless tyre
• side view mirror change
• Door side panels opening and fixing
• HU installation
• Coolant change(much simpler than an oil change)
• Brake fluid replacement(this one is a tad tricky)

While I'm sure future tutorials will be extremely helpful - even this list of stuff is helpful to tell newbies like me what are some of the easiest DIYs that can be safely done on one's car.

I'm one of those guys who take pleasure in DIY (sometimes at great expense e.g. when I break stuff and actually have to call in professionals) and I'm sure I'm not alone - on the other hand there is always the fear of the unknown, the insurance and the warranty-cheats called dealers.

this list itself is a great encouragement.



EDIT: One suggestion - why not post videos for at least the tricky bits (e.g. the headlight assembly removal) rather than merely the pictures?

[dhanushs]

Know your engine bay:

1. Wiper Washer Reservoir.
2. Engine Coolant Reservoir
3. One of the famed parts of the IKON. The hot coolant inlet to the AC diverted valve.
4. Brake Fluid Reservoir
5. Battery
6. Air Filter Element
7. Engine oil dipstick
8. Power Steering Oil Reservoir
9. Oil Filler Cap, opening which, you can have a peek at the timing chain et al..
10. Exhaust Gas Recirculation
11. Fuel Overflow pipe
12. Fuel supply pipe
13. Throttle body.
14. AC Plumbing
15. This is where you have to modify if you are planning for a forced induction.
16. Not sure - Would like some help.
17. Engine Coolant Temperature sensor (I was told)
18. Spark Plugs
19. Induction coil
20. Fuel Injectors.
21. Intake Manifold
22. Below which is the exhaust.

I believe I have covered almost all the relevant parts. If not, let me know.

P.S - I hope my dirty engine bay doesn't catch attention of the detailing experts. :P

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by vina

... why not post videos for at least the tricky bits (e.g. the headlight assembly removal) rather than merely the pictures?

I'm thinking of including a video for more detailed DIY's like Oil, Oil filter change etc.. The HL Assembly removal is pretty simple, you know. I just mentioned the same so that one would give attention, and not just give up.

However, thanks for the suggestion.

[Mr.Boss]

Good initiative dude, Congrats. Awaiting more DYIs

Originally Posted by vigsom

...
Coolant change(much simpler than an oil change)
Brake fluid replacement(this one is a tad tricky)

Coolant change is simpler but to be more cautious than Engine oil change.
*Condition of drained coolant can tell you the history of engine. Believe me, if the drained coolant is without much impurities, don't be happy about it. It says that there is a salt (or what ever we call technically, no idea) deposition on the coolant passage, which affects the cooling performance
*Any blockage in coolant piping to be checked while filling
*Blockage in vent holes result in air bubbles in coolant. This lead to improper cooling (to be more precise, less cooling) and also corrosion.
*Coolant+water mixing ratio is again a care point

*I would say not to take risk in Brake fluid change. Improper brake bleeding may take you to the door steps on heaven. Better to be safe than to be sorry.

[vina]

Originally Posted by Fordmanchau

Boy, looking at the above quoted posts, you have a big job in hand!!
All the best.

So let's give him a hand - if not by doing it ourselves then by finding stuff on the internet and putting it here.

Here's a video on air filter:

How To Change Your Air Filter (Routine Maintenance For Cars)

Here's a video on using jumper cables to start a car with dead batteries:

YouTube - ‪How To Start a Car With Jumper Cables‬‏

Here's a wikipedia article on it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jump_st...#Jumper_cables

[vina]

Here's on cleaning radiators - works for both the radiators (engine/AC) as well as for your home AC.

Instead of bug-cleaner you can use toilet cleaners

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66e5TurrbVI