who services their own Esprit?

[arbell9]

Another benefit off have a trained person do your car is that they fiddle and poke with other things and can notice if something doesnt look right. Every time I look at the engine, I think is that normally corrded that way, is that grime normal??

[OwenGT3]

There is another side to this, of course. Re-sale value.

I'm not too fussed about the Esprit because values are fairly static for 4 cyl cars. On something as depreciation happy as my Range Rover, a Full LR Service History is an absolute must if you want it to be worth much more than a bag of empty baked bean tins when trading it in.

Despite the mechanical bits not being anything too complicated on the current Range Rover (the software for fixing the electwonic twickerwy is available too) in about 3k miles it's due a glorified oilchange.

I'm fully capable of carrying out this procedure. (I've just nailed it back together after performing the statutory annual front diff/propshaft repair) However, I'm going to be forced to spend around

Edited March 3, 2008 by OwenGT3

[red vtec]

well been out and bought the bits to do the oil, plugs and filter

[Gasman GT3]

I generally try and do most things myself. 1. because I enjoy finding more out about my car and 2. because I haven't got unlimited funds at my disposal to pay

[Kimbers]

What determines the resale value is the market.

Owen

Owen, this is true to a point. I know you were a mechanic for a while but I've been in Automotive Management for along time and I can tell you here and now that a dealer serviced vehicle is worth more than a home serviced vehicle. Infact I'd go as far to say that we classify a home serviced vehicle as not serviced. You mustn't forget that neither the dealer nor the person buying the car off him knows your competancy level, so we are better off tar'ing everyone with the "useless" brush and removing

[Advantage]

As much as I agree with your sentiments, Owen, I have to side with Kimbers here. (Blehhh...I have a feeling he's going to store that away somewhere and use it against me in the future)

A FSH to Joe Public is what car buying is all about. Adrians idea of keeping a dossier of work you've done yourself is a good one for our type of cars, but a fully traceable history of the oily bits of the car can be the crucial factor in finding a buyer.

Two identical cars, one with FSH, one with a wad of invoices for parts sourced from various suppliers. The FSH car may not be worth any more cash, but it will be the one that sells.

[davegtst]

Chris what oil, plugs and filter did you buy for

[andydclements]

I'd have thought

[rens914]

another one here who does all the work himself

i don't have anybody in the neighborehood whom i trust with the lotus

my son is a mecanic and he allways helps (but he's sloppy)

gr rens

Edited March 4, 2008 by rens914

[red vtec]

Bought the parts at a trade counter, the mark up on parts is horrendous when you see what they are trade. The oil was around a tenner for 10litres its RRP is

[davegtst]

Yeah i know what you mean about mark up on parts. Halfords do a good trade car that has saved me and AA members loads of money over the years. For example if they are selling a battery for

[Kimbers]

Holy crap Chris, is that oil reclaim from deep fat fryers?

[red vtec]

My mistook!!! it was a

[davegtst]

I asked about 10w40 a while ago and was told its not in spec and i should go for a 15w50 or 20w50. Just because Comma made it doesn't mean its the same oil.

Edited March 4, 2008 by davegtst

[Quicker]

wouldn

[Kimbers]

The ONLY oils Lotus recommend are 15/50, 20/50 and 10/60. And these from only 3 manufacturers, Mobil 1, valvolene and Castrol. All fully Synthetic.

When I discussed this with Brian at the factory he told me they are the only oils with the viscosity to coat the parts and protect them direct from re-start and prevent excessive wear, especially on the Turbo etc.

Frankly, for the sake of saving

[Splashout]

Agree with Tony on this one stay in spec on the oil as its the one place that I feel you will truely get what you pay for and is like blood to your engine to thick, or sticky etc and you wont have protection.

Although I am disapointed that Tony didnt give us a sound for the turbo as well as the brooooom bit

[red vtec]

whooooosh

[red vtec]

Right Ive been out and bought 10 litres of Valvoline VR1 20w/50 F/Syn racing oil for

[Kimbers]

Tell me about it, I went with the Mobil 1, that was over

[red vtec]

is Valvoline any good? The mobil always seems mega money

[Autocross7]

Another benefit off have a trained person do your car is that they fiddle and poke with other things and can notice if something doesnt look right. Every time I look at the engine, I think is that normally corrded that way, is that grime normal??

Around here they fiddle and poke about until they break something, then call you up and tell you the cost is climbing. Then the work "trained people" do is shoddy and often things like torque settings, washers, and gaskets get ignored and left out. Also, they apparently make double sure they have the filthiest hands possible when climbing in or out of the car... I learned to do my own work because the people that were supposed to do the right job never did and treat cars like crap...

I am quite certain the reason is that most average folks here don't give a rip about their cars anyway.

Cameron

Edited March 11, 2008 by Autocross7

[Chemical7]

I will do an "A" service at the base Auto Shop that has lifts and any tools you might need. For a "B" service with the belts and such, I will take to dealer. B)

[USAndretti42]

Always do my own servicing on the Esprit. Had to change the water pump when I bought it which meant removing and thus changing the cam belt. Also neede oil and filter changes, new brake seals, fluid and lines and a bunch of other stuff. Wasn't in a position to get it trailered to a shop even if I could find one locally that would agree to work on it and that I could trust.

Car had been in use for 25 years without having any service stamps in the handbook (well, actually, it didn't have a handbook) so I don't think having them now would add to the value.

[dodgy]

I always do my own servicing, at least i know it is done correctly !

I have seen the quality of some of the work done by 'Specialists' (or lack of it)

most of you know on here, that i am a little fanatical when it comes to servicing

Valvoline 20/50 is the oil i use as it is recomemended in the manual,the engine is a old one so the tolerances are bigger, if a too thiner oil is used the oil pressure will drop IMO (i may be wrong to think that, but its just the way i see it) but i do change it every 1500 miles