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View Poll Results: Which one would you choose for your Vehicle?
I’m all about DIY Videos 72 30.00%
I’d rather go to the Mechanic 168 70.00%
Voters: 240. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 1st July 2020, 21:45   #46
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Re: DIY vs Mechanic: Your preference, pros & cons

Voted for DIY, not sure I follow relevance of DIY videos in this poll.

If you want to get things done correctly, the only person who can be entrusted with the job is yourself (provided you possess the right set of skills, tooling).

To this end, I am planning to build my own workshop during the lockdown so that none of my cars ever need a visit to a third party operated workshop.
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Old 1st July 2020, 23:39   #47
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Re: DIY vs Mechanic: Your preference, pros & cons

Voted for Mechanic.

Mechanic is a skilled worker who is specialized in its field. DIY especially for beginners is a complex scenario where they might caught up in tricky situation or rather make things worse which are beyond repairable. If you are calling DIY as washing, cleaning, general maintenance, etc. then it is still doable but complex jobs definitely require a trained professional. Now finding a competent professional is another challenge hence avoid random people to touch your vehicle rather go by suggestions from friends or acquaintance.
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Old 2nd July 2020, 01:42   #48
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Re: DIY vs Mechanic: Your preference, pros & cons

As my username suggests I am a proper DIY guy. Have not visited a service center in 5 years, So far I have done the following on my Gypsy replaced oil/air/fuel filter, Brake pads, brake cylinder, brake master cylinder, coolant pump, shocks, timing belt, Silencer, steering wheel,adjusted Timing, complete rebuild of carburetor, replaced contact breaker point etc

I do less DIY on regular sedan/hatchback because unlike the gypsy there is very little room in the engine bay, (I hate front wheel drive vehicle engine bay) and you cannot get to work below the chassis due to low ground clearance. Even a oil change is tricky due to the low ground clearance.

I have all the tools that most workshops have including torque wrench, specialized tools to remove certain things, lots of power tools/Pneumatic tools along with 3hp air compressor and have parts stockpiled inside my car garage.
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Old 2nd July 2020, 08:10   #49
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Re: DIY vs Mechanic: Your preference, pros & cons

Voted for the mechanic. I'm a greasemonkey but modern cars have very less that you can do without specialized tools. Add to the fact that I'd rather spend time driving my car than servicing it myself.
That being said, one of my favourite ways to spend time on a weekend is cleaning my three cars, two bikes, two scooters and three bicycles all by myself. Takes away an entire day, allows one to meditate and some time away for myself.
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Old 2nd July 2020, 08:49   #50
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Re: DIY vs Mechanic: Your preference, pros & cons

I believe it depends on one's confidence level, kind of work undertaken and availability of the right tools. Online videos only guide you with the happy flow perspective. You run into a stripped bolt and that's it - A whole new DIY project to start.

Personally, I would not want to do anything with the essentials of a vehicle. No brake work except bleeding/flushing brake oil, no engine work. I've done radiator flush, steering oil flush, engine/cabin air filters, AC fluid top up. Even if things don't work out, car is still drivable to the nearest shop.

Secondly some of the nuts/bolts are torqued to spec and unless you have the right tool that is out of bounds as well. I also stay away from any electrical work other than replacing bulbs or batteries.
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Old 2nd July 2020, 22:47   #51
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Re: DIY vs Mechanic: Your preference, pros & cons

Voted for DIY. Lucky to be born in the family of diesel mechanics and family business of break down recovery (in the past), had natural interest on automobiles which later became profession. Vehicles go to dealership only for periodical maintenance to keep the history clean (for better resale value) and all the other running repair are done at home with no compromise. Even engine overhaul was done at home couple of times. Clutch, suspension, wheel bearing replacement would usually be a weekend activity.

But yes, parking gets messy & all the ladies in the house including our dog (not joking) are unhappy about the grease and oil smell.

Prime advantages are keeping the maintenance cost down, I'll know my car better than dealer so they cannot rip me with unnecessary repairs.
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Old 3rd July 2020, 13:34   #52
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Re: DIY vs Mechanic: Your preference, pros & cons

I voted mechanic. My college car was a premier 118 NE many, many moons ago. I changed batteries, oil filters, air filters - with a locally procured tool kit.

During the ongoing covid lock down, I attempted to change my Volvo’s battery. This is perhaps the most mundane DIY activity, surpassed by only the tire change in terms of simplicity ?? Right ?? Wrong !! The specialised tools and the sheer number of unrelated parts that needed to be removed to just gain access to the battery, not to mention the software and hardware interface needed to reset all the warnings, made it abundantly clear that in 2020 a trained professional is indispensable.

Much like CAs love complex tax filing systems, professional mechanics love our current state of affairs

DIY vs Mechanic: Your preference, pros & cons-62d2f4d7351e4179a85fd2ea6026c9a2.jpeg
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Old 6th July 2020, 04:35   #53
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Re: DIY vs Mechanic: Your preference, pros & cons

Opted for visiting a Mechanic.

Till the time the warranty is in effect I would refrain from doing any DIY when it comes to the mechanicals or electricals.

Despite being a DIY person its best to know your limits especially while venturing a new domain.
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Old 30th September 2020, 22:30   #54
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Re: DIY vs Mechanic: Your preference, pros & cons

It may helps you to figure out some issues but it'll affect our peace of mind, if you knew the technical stuff, while driving everything comes to our mind, let say if u hit a potholes the suspension parts will comes to our mind and it'll exactly simulate the parts involvements. That's why ignorance is a bliss !!!
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Old 4th October 2020, 12:01   #55
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Re: DIY vs Mechanic: Your preference, pros & cons

To answer on the Fly, I would take service of ASC preferably on current generation cars having Auto tranny, ABS, EPS, Air bags, mild hybrid, Integrated Infotainment etc

I used to do certain maintenance activities on my own, till quite recently, on my 4 and 2 wheeler.
I have kept screw driver set of Taparia, Hex socket with extension bar, Stanley wrench, spanners, Grease, various viscosity oils, Quick fix, Araldite, WD 40/Zorrik

I used to do
1. Spark plug cleaning 2. Air filter and Throttle body clean, clutch cable lubrication and adjust, Gear lever pit cleaning, hand brake cable adjust, headlamp alignment, horn tuning, engine oil and filter changes, gear oil change, Brake bleeding, cleaning caliper, lubricating sliding pins, clean and adjust brake pad, drums, cleaning battery terminals, coolant top up, cleaning bike carburetor chain lube front and rear bike axle and brake cleaning etc

[quote=R2D2;4834297]Voted for a DIY, if and only if three things are in place:
a) Workshop manual
b) Parts and consumables
c) Tools and fixtures
That said, in the past few years, I have developed a lower back problem which is now an overarching issue and restricts the type of repairs I can perform. Therefore, I depend the ASC,

Beware folks, even if you have tools and Idea ( thru You tube) its quite likely you may not accomplish in the Task !!
1. Lot of Nut&Bolts are in constricted space, you will not even be able to reach or fix your spanner on them
2. you may not have required physical strength and skill to apply force in Screw driver, spanners, in due process you may hurt yourself or may Damage the Head of Nut or Bolt !! some times they require two persons to grip from both nut and bolt side
3. many fasteners require heating by gas torch flame to loosen
4. Multiple jacks or jack stand are often required. Using the OEM Tyre change jack damages them and is risky to use for elongated time !!
5. most of sub systems are electronically controlled and have multiple sensors and electrical contacts associated. It further adds to the need your car being serviced and maintained by ASC mechanic
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