Home servicing / maintenance - How many here?

[hyperviper]

I do pretty much everything on my Evora from servicing to maintenance and repairs, with just the odd job here and there, that i'm not equipped or have the space to tackle (yet).

I'm also in the "photograph and log everything for prosperity" camp too - and have a nice chubby file of paperwork and a memory stick full of images etc..

Just curious if anyone else is handy with the spanners and does the same to their car...

I appreciate that I might be in a minority, but I really do enjoy it - very therapeutic, and I find it a great way to distance myself from programming..

[Bruss]

Since moving to France 10 years ago I have rekindled my spannering techniques.  I now have the time and the space to do most things that don't require two people.

 

 

[agentdr8]

I'm a grease monkey too, and find it quite relaxing, assuming all things are going right. Having space, proper tools, and a lift make it much more enjoyable and efficient than it was previously for me. 

[Spinney]

I’ve always carried out maintenance, servicing, repairs and mods  to all my cars, having started out by rebuilding the engine in my old man’s Cortina 1200 when I was just 15.

However I no longer have the physique of a racing snake and whilst I can get down on the ground, it’s a bloody struggle to get up again so I now leave it to guys much younger than me. I thought I would hate letting somebody else work on my various prides & joy but finally accepted the inevitable. The mind is still willing but the body says bugger off, no chance I’m getting under there again! 😁

[au-yt]

I have capability and tooling and get things like  TPS units sorted locally.

However I get the 400 serviced by SSC, mainly for resale reasons, and I like visiting the dealer to catch up with what’s happening. 

[Phaeton91]

I built a Dutton kit car in my early twenties including fully stripping and rebuilding a Ford Pinto SOHC engine and also had handy side Line whilst studying changing clutches on escort rs2000s (b***h of a job!).  Since then though my spannering has been limited to changing brake discs/pads by lack of a suitable space and cars under warranty. My recent addition of the Evora has rekindled the enjoyment and I’m finding the car to be very logically put together, if a little cramped to work on.  I do yearn for a garage though.  As mentioned by others it’s a great distraction from the day job (accountant).

[EvoraBob]

I have worked on and build lots of cars from minis to Lamborghinis, from lawnmowers to 50ton excavators on spanners and management around the world. So doing work on the Evora is a walk in the park as I have a kitted out garage and access to almost anything if needed. I enjoy working on Lotus cars as I get as much fun out tinkering about and helping mates as driving them. 

[jep]

I really admire those who can spanner. 

I struggle to fill the screen wash container on Evora. 

Justin

 

[NAC63]

10 hours ago, EvoraBob said:

I have worked on and build lots of cars from minis to Lamborghinis, from lawnmowers to 50ton excavators on spanners and management around the world. So doing work on the Evora is a walk in the park as I have a kitted out garage and access to almost anything if needed. I enjoy working on Lotus cars as I get as much fun out tinkering about and helping mates as driving them. 

Me too Bob , and I've always believed the money saved on dealer servicing over the year outweighs and money reduced on resale just because it has no dealer service history. My old Aston martin vantage dealer basic service with oil and filer change was over £600 REALLY  .I document and keep all service part receipts for new owner.

 

[Cdm2018]

I do really take my hats to you guys who have clearly talented when it comes to mechanical matters

for those I like me who are dyslexic mechanically I rely on a garage and Hope I don’t get overcharged or subject to bad service 🤔

However if your looking at blessing me with some of your time and effort (& I will pay ) to sort out the various issues I be eternally grateful 

[EvoraBob]

8 hours ago, NAC63 said:

Me too Bob , and I've always believed the money saved on dealer servicing over the year outweighs and money reduced on resale just because it has no dealer service history. My old Aston martin vantage dealer basic service with oil and filer change was over £600 REALLY  .I document and keep all service part receipts for new owner.

 

I seen services done by garages and some are very frightening in costs and what's been overlooked, and a second-hand car thats been serviced by its owner with the full detailed history with receipts of purchased parts is worth more to me as usually been over serviced as the pride of ownership.

[NAC63]

Totally agree Bob being in the trade for many years I just don't trust garages to do the work to what I call my standard. 

[hyperviper]

Interesting comments and viewpoints..- All valid depending on your perspective and skill / bravery levels of course - and let's not forget the passage of time on the body (Thank goodness for a floor creeper!)

I appreciate that some would run away from an owner-maintained car just as much as some would embrace it.

I'd be quite happy buying from an owner-maintainer.. I would be delighted to hear about and see all the things that the owner knows has been done - and has the info to prove it..

I suspect it would be a drawn out process though as we'd probably be chatting for hours...

What I do find, particularly with enthusiast O-M cars is the attention to detail is better - you're not adhering to the clock or any sort of schedule to make money pushing cars through on some sort of weird conveyor - so the little things get noticed and replaced instead of reused.

Corroded parts are repaired sooner or replaced with higher quality items, just because, well - "because... OK?...!"

If something looks like it's better routed a different way - even though it's invariably longer and more £, then so be it..

Manufacturing my own "pattern" brackets and suchlike from superior materials instead of those used in a baked bean tin..

When the clam comes off - oooh, - now that's a opportunity not to be missed... (yeah - sad, I know - I know)

When I do eventually sell (many moons from now) it'll likely be one of the longest and most tedious adverts ever, and from experience buyers seem to love that sort of thing..

(I recall my Elise "Auction" ran to something like 6 pages - but it was worth it, just under 300 watchers and 3 buyers queuing up 1/2 a day later..)

 

[EvoraBob]

12 hours ago, hyperviper said:

Interesting comments and viewpoints..- All valid depending on your perspective and skill / bravery levels of course - and let's not forget the passage of time on the body (Thank goodness for a floor creeper!)

I appreciate that some would run away from an owner-maintained car just as much as some would embrace it.

I'd be quite happy buying from an owner-maintainer.. I would be delighted to hear about and see all the things that the owner knows has been done - and has the info to prove it..

I suspect it would be a drawn out process though as we'd probably be chatting for hours...

What I do find, particularly with enthusiast O-M cars is the attention to detail is better - you're not adhering to the clock or any sort of schedule to make money pushing cars through on some sort of weird conveyor - so the little things get noticed and replaced instead of reused.

Corroded parts are repaired sooner or replaced with higher quality items, just because, well - "because... OK?...!"

If something looks like it's better routed a different way - even though it's invariably longer and more £, then so be it..

Manufacturing my own "pattern" brackets and suchlike from superior materials instead of those used in a baked bean tin..

When the clam comes off - oooh, - now that's a opportunity not to be missed... (yeah - sad, I know - I know)

When I do eventually sell (many moons from now) it'll likely be one of the longest and most tedious adverts ever, and from experience buyers seem to love that sort of thing..

(I recall my Elise "Auction" ran to something like 6 pages - but it was worth it, just under 300 watchers and 3 buyers queuing up 1/2 a day later..)

 

I have sold all my previous VX220,s and Lotus cars without the buyers seeing the cars until they arrived at there new homes.

[C8RKH]

2 hours ago, EvoraBob said:

I have sold all my previous VX220,s and Lotus cars without the buyers seeing the cars until they arrived at there new homes.

I bought one of those VX220's of yours Bob and still have it.

When I came to supercharge it, through Batman and Vocky (VX220 legends) they could not believe how well it came apart, and more importantly, how well it went back together.

In my 5 odd years of ownership she has been fettled and meticulously looked after by Specialist Craig Moncrieff. Updates have included nitrons, spitfire toe links, brace and variable steering arms and a full new Tullett 2.5" manifold to exhaust system. 

Recent jobs have been a full headlight refurb (amazing) and a whole new interior by Hogg-R.

She's an amazing car!

[Timbotucker]

Going with the home mechanic theme, it’s always good to have a good MOT mechanic, a friendly helpful person, who will point future possible failings.

I fully rebuilt my 73 Escort Mexico, from having the shell dipped to totally road going track car. I have an excellent local garage MOT guy, and even though the car doesn’t legally require an MOT I still take it, we have a competition to see if he can find anything that needs attention and he often does, even though I know my car inside out.

[ADF]

I couldn't  agree with @Timbotucker more, Ive known my MOT chap since I worked for him as a kid in his car bodyshop. Usually everything passes as a matter of pride but we have a good look while it's up in the air and he'll point out anything that might need attention (outside of the MOT rules).

As for home mechanic'ing I can relate to the taking photos I must have hundreds if not thousands by now. As I get older I am defiantly less motivated but I take it a little bit beyond the standard spannering though. Standard maintenance gets a bit boring, the design & build projects are a lot more fun/challenging and I really enjoyed the suspension work I did on my Elise, it is a pleasure to work on now that's everything's been renewed.

I would encourage people to have a go, it's a great way to learn a lot about your car and I think you somehow end up being more connected with your car, especially If your making small mods/improvements along the way.

I am not a trained mechanic but started out with a Haynes manual, no budget and a knackered old mg metro, rather than pay to fix it I would buy the tools and do it myself. First time I took a sparkplug out I snapped it.  Since then I just kept on buying tools and learning as I went.  Shear Bloody mindedness has got me through most of the difficult jobs.  I have also gained many skills outside of cars that I use such as electronics and mechanical engineering design, CAD,  also have a plan before starting. So I have had a go at most things now and are pretty good at diagnosing problems without dismantling anything which saves a lot of grief.

It can be incredibly satisfying and frustrating but I know I've saved thousands over the years.  The best thing I have found, Is the knowledge I have I use to help others and have fixed many a friend or neighbours car.

 

[ramjet]

I service all my own cars, rebuilt engines etc. Helped my old man convert his Landie from a petrol to a diesel when I was 14.

Love it. I still service my Esprit as I don't trust anyone else. I did get Steve Taylor to do the suspension work when I had to get some work done as I just am not set up to do that. Steve I trust.

[Doug Ashley]

Coming from a mechanical family, I do the routine servicing on my MX5 & enjoy playing about with upgrades like DRLs. The bigger jobs e.g. suspension/brakes I don't have the equipment (or the time) and leave this to the local garage.

On the Evora I swapped out the exhaust (decat pipe back) & done a couple of other minor things, but other than that I've left it to the professionals at Allon White.  It's my first 'proper' car and I want the service history to remain pristine!

[eeyoreish]

I do pretty much whatever I can on my Esprit, as well as the other cars in our household, family members' cars and the few other classics that pass through my hands each year. Usually I'm only limited by not (yet) having a lift in the garage for better underside access or lacking specialist equipment for certain jobs like tracking etc.

I'll even do a bit of localised paintwork if I have to but generally I don't have the right conditions for bigger paintwork jobs and I'm a perfectionist so obvious rattle can finish isn't going to cut it...

Mostly it's enjoyable (I think) and I'm saving money at the same time as knowing a job is getting done right.

[GavinT]

I do everything myself. I think looking after these cars mechanically is equally as rewarding ( and totally frustrating) as driving them. Sure it can be time consuming to get down and dirty with the spanners but when the job is done it gives you a great sense of achievement. The very first timing belt I ever did on any engine was on my 77 S1 and I’ve just finished a complete rebuild on my 88 Stevens 910 Turbo engine, my first engine rebuild. He Who Dares Wins and all that.

[snowrx]

I honestly don't know where I could take my Esprit to get work done. For my cars I'd rather buy the tools and learn than trust an unknown shop. 

I outsource the tire mounting, alignment and paint. I do feel spoiled when a dealer does some recall work on the newer car.

[series_one]

Living in Hungary I self maintained my Evora for 9 years, the first 2 I used to drive to the factory to watch and learn from Lotus Motorsport. 
 

For an Evora you really need a lift, which I am grateful to have use of at a friends house. The lift did break one with the Evora up, which was a bit of a horror lol

 

the 340R is much easier as no lift required. I dont mind maintaining as I / Hypo and I do a much better job than mist garages, but I do it out of necessity really. In the Uk I would more likely send it to HPE/Seriously Lotus/BOT. 

 

The older I get the harder it gets to motivate myself to build / maintain. Driving is my hobby. Having a great mate who really enjoys working on the cars is a godsend. Wrenching together is much more enjoyable. Very grateful for that. 

[hyperviper]

I agree with other comments about building experience to help others...
Last year a mate's bike-engined kit car blew a head gasket and warped the head - he sourced the bits i told him that he needed... and he kept me fed and watered while i stripped and rebuilt the top end.

It started on the button - very satisfying...
..Still haven't had a ride in it though... seats too narrow for my frame!

Edited February 1, 2023 by hyperviper
spelling errorrrr

[Ginettaman]

I do most of my own work as I don’t trust dealers really. I’ve a good Mot man who lets me fix anything he finds and I’ve now owned and restored to different degrees 6 Ginetta, 1 TVR, a Westfield and built a Lotus Seven kit from plans and an old cortina GT1600. I’ve built some full length wooden ramps by recycling our garden deck but hanker for a garage lift. My garage isn’t big enough for the cars and bikes I have but I fancy an Evora for my old age. I do dread some of the jobs I’ve read about on the Evora however.