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Thread ID: 135184	2013-10-05 07:14:00	How much car servicing is really essential?	Nomad (952)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1355188	2013-10-08 17:43:00	That's what I liked about my old Austin A40 Somerset......... We had an A60 for ages. Around every 6 months the thing needed work. When we finally sold it it had had every single part replaced except the diff. Motor twice, gearbox twice...everything - springs, shocks, panels, the lot.....the motors would only do around 100,000miles.....have to say, while I liked it's body, I prefer Japanese motors.	pctek (84)
1355189	2013-10-08 23:21:00	If sir you are suggesting that English cars compare with Japanese cars, then you are deluded. As a lad I had one of these English cars, as a result my weekends were taken up with repairing said instrument of torture, so sir, think again before you speak such with deference of such an un- princely heap. It's called character building, Cic, think of the experience you gained.	Whenu (9358)
1355190	2013-10-08 23:29:00	Complete waste of time and money servicing a vehicle you are not going to keep for a very long time. The idea is to flick the car just before any major problems are likely to appear and let the next owner fix them. Last car bought new got 3 years warranty and free servicing kept it for a another 3 years did zero maintenance on it other than tyre pressure check. Traded it in on another new one this one has a 4 year free servicing. The WOF dude did say the front brake pads were a bit thin but would let them thru this time so there was the hint to ditch the car. The trick with the BMC Austin was to get the SU mixture correct and drive them carefully.	prefect (6291)
1355191	2013-10-08 23:32:00	That's what I liked about my old Austin A40 Somerset.........grease nipples everywhere, just everywhere.....and ball joints that could be adjusted, they never wore out as long as the play was taken out and the grease gun applied frequently, it was 24 years old when I sold it to come here, and despite what R2 may say, I never had any Lucas parts fail, everything was original except for replacing trafficators with flashing indicators :) Even an expert has difficulty differentiating between failure and the normal modus operandi when it comes to Lucas. ;)	R2x1 (4628)
1355192	2013-10-08 23:42:00	It isn't about money. The theory is that a slightly dirty filter will actually become more efficient. Look at your car's manual, chances are you will see the recommendation is every second oil change. Or ask any unbiased mechanic. They bypass if blocked anyway. Ford Model A and E93A standard did not even have an oil filter just a screen on the bottom of the pump looks close to white bait netting size. Those engines lasted for like ever.	prefect (6291)
1355193	2013-10-09 00:06:00	Since the the early 90s our cars has had hardly any maintance . We've had our mechanic for many years, just never done them not have we been advised . Prior to the 90s it was the Hillman Hunter and a Triumph . From the 90s . Ford Telstar (probably a 1986) 1992-2007 at the end was just worth too little, the alternator issue didn't fix it . We did the belts when required, sparks, an electrical issue, CV joint etc . . never even done a air filter thou . Oil and filter 6 monthly . Did have ignition issues from the first few weeks but they delayed it then saying we didn't pay Ford to do the regular service schedules it voided our warranty . The rest all from Turners - and interestingly we had less issues too with them . Mazda Familia (1992) 1995-2010 . A repair of muffler noise, CV joints, sparks etc like the above, freq oil/filter, belts including the timing one, did some rust repair on the boot but came back, water pumped leaked so ditched and sold it . No fuel / air filters haha . Camry (1998) 2007-Present . One suspension done and the drive pulley and belts . Oil/filter . First time air filter ever we had cars :p VW Bora / Jetta (2004) 2010-Present . Oil/filter, just put in an air filter and fuel filter out of curiosity from research . No other issues whatsoever . The fuel filter was very clean when we tipped the gas onto a disposable cup . The extra filters probably make sense from a fuel efficiency point of view but given we this does half weekly use and the Camry does daily everyday driving, we don't do long drives really . They could be delayed to double the service intervals . 2yr or 4yr for the air filter and not even sure about the fuel filter, when it came out so clean . That was a car from 2004 which it may not had it swapped ever, VW list it as a lifetime part not part of schedule and we had it for 3yrs ourselves . Above all we got some new pads, wipers etc as advised, we never done a coolant change or a brake fluid change . The Telstar did need a new radiator from the wreckers yeah a coolant flush might prevented that but over the yrs still pretty cheap if not cheaper . It might not be that great for it for really long term or it may had been a tad smoother quieter but we got many yrs out of it . . . . there wasn't any issues . Just sounded normal . When we see our mechanic we may pass a fuel filter when the WOF is done for the Camry since it has done 200,000 for a piece of mind .	Nomad (952)
1355194	2013-10-09 00:47:00	I cant be bothered to read back all thats been posted But regards servicing we just picked up a Mitsi Galant with 390,000 kms on the clock full service history and it runs like a dream. So far covered 2,000kms and no significant loses of fluids which to be honest mitsis are known to do an oil change between oil changes with the amount oil they lose/burn. So what does that say about servicing? Pretty much can say a car thats not had the basics of Oil changes and coolant replaced according to the servicing manuals is more likely to die an early age. Attitude gets its an old car does not need servicing oddly enough they dont last long after that. None of our cars have less than 200,000kms on the clock and the ones that go the best are the ones that have been looked after not necessarily by a stealer paid mechanics but by regular fluid changes. Our diesels done 200,000 miles (its a UK import) Oil changes done every 5,000 miles dont even smoke like a diesel of that mileage. Those 5,000km oil changes/servicing date back to the days when NZ and Australia had more dirt roads! Now days unless you travel a gravel road most the time you donr need a service any more than 10k.	coldfront (15814)
1355195	2013-10-09 01:56:00	With my Bedford it gets an annual/1 year service. Oil and filter change Drain sediment from fueltank, sedimentor and filter bowl Blow out air filter Check valve clearances Dump power steering oil and change Suck out both brake master cylinder reservoirs and bleed through new fluid Check sg of coolant and adjust it 50 50 Check gearbox and diff oil level Take off brake drums and hose out dust and re adjust brakes Clean the water strainer for domestic water and check pressure on water pump accumulator Grease bus with weight off axles and springs adjust cardon shaft brake Inspect fan belt as best as possible in place for cracks	prefect (6291)
1355196	2013-10-09 02:15:00	Pretty much can say a car thats not had the basics of Oil changes and coolant replaced according to the servicing manuals is more likely to die an early age. Attitude gets its an old car does not need servicing oddly enough they dont last long after that. The real world experience proves this wrong. Totally wrong 330000km, last 1/2 of its life had poor service history. last 150000km , when I owned it, almost no servicing, to the extent the oil would sometimes look quite nasty. Cars this old dont get $$ spent on servicing, yet keep chugging along if you get the brands/models known for reliabilty My previous more expensive lower milage car, was not that reliable, despite often going to the garage for repairs & servicing. $$$$$$$$$$$$$	1101 (13337)
1355197	2013-10-09 20:10:00	A tip from a NZ garage mechanic. Never buy a European car older than 5 years or over 100k. The Germans lost two wars in a row and I guess it was something to do with the reliability and cost of parts of their vehicles. They then never had enough money left over to buy enough bullets and bombs etc. I have seen people go into a state of shock when told how much to fix their heap of **** euro car.	prefect (6291)
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