Servicing costs

[workshopmanualman]

OK perhaps I was ripped off... Guess the question is: would I be happy to take it back to them tomorrow for more work? The answer is "no" so I was ripped off. Already been down to Halfords to check on parts. Let a garage do the wet work, and I'll do the dry bits. I've turned into a Surrey wuss since moving south.

[Speedy88]

I live in a "nice" street (albeit the estate is a bit council housey). I do my own work on my drive and neighbours often come up and ask me about car stuff. My swedish neighbour actually donated all his oil, tools and car bits to me the other day (yep, he's got a Volvo) because he's a bit old now. Got talking and apparently he had a Daf 66 once, I remember his old 240 and 740, awesome cars. Now when I had the gearbox changed there was oil everywhere because it was raining (the water/oil runs over the street to the drain about 10 feet away). I was ready to accept if someone was going to have a go but nobody batted an eyelid. Infact many said "Nice that you're able to do that". Made sure the road was hosed down properly before finishing.

I really really wish I had a lockup/garage/unit to work in though. Then I could get some serious car stuff done

[MCHUDD]

Hi speedy.
Lock ups are great but only for storage. My GLS lives in a lock up across the road from my house.
There is know electricity.When i need to work on the car,i bring it over to the driveway.
What would you do if you were half way through a job and you suddenly needed a dump
Cheers Mark.

[workshopmanualman]

There's nothing wrong with living on a council estate! And I don't think that because you live on one, or similar, that you are council. There's a house in the next town here that must be worth £1.5m - very nice house, very nice spot. He's got a good 6 cars rotting on his front garden / wasteland. It's more about attitude isn't it? The guy who repaired his gearbox has the correct one, and sounds like a good guy. Does the job, has a friendly chat with his neighbours and shows interest in what they do, then clears up after himself. It's the ones who start a job, get stuck, and have enough money to abandon the project, pushing the car / washing machine / bicycle onto the lawn that cause the trouble. And they could live anywhere, not just on a council estate.

As for a lock-up. Unless you have power and access to a toilet they're a bit useless. Better to club together with some mates and rent an industrial unit for non-commercial use.

[SteveP]

Yup my GLS is also in a lockup... not enough room for work, no electricity and it only just fits lengthways! (Towbar touching the wall!)

[volvosneverdie]

+1.

power + toilet FTW!


We sound like a support group for the elderly now.

[workshopmanualman]

Support group for the elderly? Thought it was? This isn't a Volvo forum then?

Ha ha! Back-at-you!

[volvosneverdie]

Support group for the elderly? Thought it was? This isn't a Volvo forum then?

Touche sir.

[Ian Mac]

The muppet next door has just attempted to replace the sump gasket on his Astra without draining the oil first....

Like I said earlier, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Guess who gets to clean-up the oil - not him I'll bet...

[Speedy88]

Don't take it as a personal insult Ian, if he doesn't clean it up he's probably a cock but then that's what reporting him to authorities is for.

[SteveP]

I changed the oil on my girlfriends car at the weekend, cleaned up any mess immediately and will dispose of it at the local tip. Us home servicers aren't all bad! But totally agree if he doesn't clean up - report him!

Alternatively, I did consider feeding the used engine oil to a baby dolphin

[Speedy88]

Why try, we'll all be using this in 1000 years anyway:

[trabitom99]

I kind of forgot to mention the A/C fitting experience on Andy's parents' drive on a Sunday morning including sporadic use of angle grinders and air compressors. Andy's parents were pretty cool about the whole thing, but I know a few who wouldn't have been...

Tom

[workshopmanualman]

Got the car back today. Fuel sender had gone; to get it towed and fixed cost £125. I am not made of money! I am tired of this game! Didn't help that on the drive back the car was making horrid rattling noises from underneath, and the exhaust is banging against something over speedhumps. Yeuk.

Also, and this is the killer, noticed some rust underneath. Had a poke around, as you do; key went through the sill. Now, do I get it fixed or do I just let the car die a death over the next year? I'm tempted - and I do realise that this is a 300 forum - to let it slowly die a natural death, or move the car on to somebody that would love it a bit more. It does after all have a lovely engine [red block], gearbox and that leather interior. However, as has been pointed out, the better the devil you know... So I may go get a quote to save the sill and rear wheel arch . The sill is a hole about the size of a 50p piece, so not alarming at the moment, but my last 340 had a hole the size of a 50p... until I delved a bit more and managed to increase it's size to that of a footlong from Subway with nothing more than a pencil as a tool.

Buggeration!

[Chris_C]

Get some pics up mate. The chap on here putting a V8 in his 340 used to advertise welding jobs on retro rides, not sure if he still does, I'd suggest you'd do a lot better driving it to someone like him whilst you still have MOT and getting it done properly rather than taking it to a garage.

Dan had his 300 welded by him from memory and he's not a million miles away (if he is still keen obviously!)