Jump to content

General Maintenance Advice


Recommended Posts

Hi All,

 

Having had a few issues with my Fabia recently I've been wondering about picking up a OBD reader on Ebay to try and diagnose any faults/issues that occur - does anyone have any recommendations on what to look for? I'd also like to get a bit more hands-on and do some basic servicing etc myself (I'm reasonably handy but never really got into car maintenance being more of a computer geek!) What would people recommend as a beginners car tool kit and a good source of info on basic car maintenance? (don't worry - I'm not about to start attempting an engine rebuild or anything major! - just enough maintenance to keep things tickety boo)

The only Haynes manual I can find online seems to cover up to 2006 models - mine is a 2007 56 reg 5 door petrol manual Fabia 1.4 - would that manual still be useful?

 

Mikey

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You can pick up handy scanners on eBay for OBD, and also but a app for Android and i would of thought apple as well (don't quote me on that though) which enables use to scan for fault codes on your mobile. Always handy when you can be arsed to go and get a laptop :) I use mine all the time and can honestly say it was the best £8 all in ive spent in a long long time.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You can pick up handy scanners on eBay for OBD, and also but a app for Android and i would of thought apple as well (don't quote me on that though) which enables use to scan for fault codes on your mobile. Always handy when you can be arsed to go and get a laptop :) I use mine all the time and can honestly say it was the best £8 all in ive spent in a long long time.

got a link for the android stuff you have?
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

The Haynes manual will still be relevent.

+1

Buy the Haynes manual, 9/10ths of the content will still be relevant and good information. All of the trim, components mechanical and non mechanical parts will still be the same.

JRJG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You need some basic tools obviously.

 

For an oil service it really depends which way you intend to do it.

 

I personally use a Pela oil extractor to avoid having to remove the under tray and scrambling around under the car.

 

That way I just need a socket to get the oil filter off and that's it.

 

You then just need some screwdrivers etc to do the air filter and pollen filter.

 

You can reset the service indicator very easily too.

 

I'm mainly a computer geek but I've self-taught myself car maintenance. I did my last oil and filter change, DSG oil change and brake fluid change.

 

I also managed to change the timing chain on my old Felicia 1.3.

 

Did a full brake pad and disc change on my old Cordoba PD130 too.

 

There are loads of videos on Youtube either about general car maintenance or how to perform specific tasks.

 

Phil

Edited by Phil-E
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is it a 16V?.& which bhp?...................if it's a 100bhp then run it on Shell nitro & use Mobil 1 0w40 oil..................also only use the NGK (6KBRT????) spark plugs for this engine..........also drain the gearbox as this gets forgotten about!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Phil-E - that's exactly the info I was looking for - speaking as a fellow IT geek it's good to know someone's broken the car maintenance trail so to speak :-) Was the brake pad & disc change difficult/expensive & what tools did you need ? just had the garage do mine (plus new battery) & cost me £300 (also inc new Baro sensor)

 

@fabdavrav - it's a 16v 84bhp (from memory - will double check). What would you recommend as a bi-annual service procedure to keep it in good nick ? I'm keen to cut down on costs and learn to do what a garage would do for a 6 monthly service so : oil change, air & oil filters, spark plugs , gear box oil (how often?), check tyres, wipers etc. Average milage should be ~7000 from now on but for previous two years was ~12000 as I managed to cut my commute by getting a better paid and more local job :-)

 

Have now picked up a cheap OBD2 on ebay and the Torque Android app - my inner geek is loving the data that combo gives me :-) - only bug bear is the obd2 scanner (£6.99) keeps dropping connection - buy cheap, buy twice I guess :-(

 

Now keeping my eyes peeled on ebay/freecycle etc for the Haynes manual going cheap plus a socket set etc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You need some basic tools obviously.

 

For an oil service it really depends which way you intend to do it.

 

I personally use a Pela oil extractor to avoid having to remove the under tray and scrambling around under the car.

 

That way I just need a socket to get the oil filter off and that's it.

 

You then just need some screwdrivers etc to do the air filter and pollen filter.

 

You can reset the service indicator very easily too.

 

I'm mainly a computer geek but I've self-taught myself car maintenance. I did my last oil and filter change, DSG oil change and brake fluid change.

 

I also managed to change the timing chain on my old Felicia 1.3.

 

Did a full brake pad and disc change on my old Cordoba PD130 too.

 

There are loads of videos on Youtube either about general car maintenance or how to perform specific tasks.

 

Phil

 I also use a pump, just because ive got a freezing drive way and not a nice warm garage... how ever ive read that its much better to drain from sump as the sludge gets drawn out as it sits on the bottom .. how true and to what degree i have no idea.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Phil-E - that's exactly the info I was looking for - speaking as a fellow IT geek it's good to know someone's broken the car maintenance trail so to speak :-) Was the brake pad & disc change difficult/expensive & what tools did you need ? just had the garage do mine (plus new battery) & cost me £300 (also inc new Baro sensor)

 

@fabdavrav - it's a 16v 84bhp (from memory - will double check). What would you recommend as a bi-annual service procedure to keep it in good nick ? I'm keen to cut down on costs and learn to do what a garage would do for a 6 monthly service so : oil change, air & oil filters, spark plugs , gear box oil (how often?), check tyres, wipers etc. Average milage should be ~7000 from now on but for previous two years was ~12000 as I managed to cut my commute by getting a better paid and more local job :-)

 

 

Brakes are pretty easy to be honest.

 

You need a good socket set. The main sizes are usually between 8 and 24mm for stuff around the car. If you can get the Halfords ones on sale they are actually really good quality!

 

You will also need a brake rewind tool to wind the callipers back in. Also some wire brushes to clean everything up and copper grease.

 

A small start screwdriver is also required to remove the screw for the disc.

 

The 84 bhp is the 8v MPi pushrod engine I believe. Basically the old 1.3 Favourite and Felicia engine different pistons to increase CC to 1.4. As well as some other changes too.

 

Keep an eye on the timing chain. If it's rattling it's best to change.

 

Phil

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 10 months later...

To avoid starting another thread -

What is the socket size for the oil filter 'housing'? I read online that it's 24mm, but there's no way, it must be 30+mm?

I assume there is a specific 'oil filter socket' ?

I don't want to attack it with mole grips with it being plastic.

JRJG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To avoid starting another thread -

What is the socket size for the oil filter 'housing'? I read online that it's 24mm, but there's no way, it must be 30+mm?

I assume there is a specific 'oil filter socket' ?

I don't want to attack it with mole grips with it being plastic.

JRJG

There are short and not extra strong cheapish sockets sold for getting these plastic filter covers off, just take a look at the laser tools website, they tend to list which engines these things fit.

 

Edit:- the "not extra strong" bit was not meant to be disparaging, a socket for that job does not need to be super strong, at least not as strong as a normal socket for that size of nut/bolt needs to be.

 

Another Edit!:-  one tool that can be very handy is a digital calliper, they can be bought from places like Maplin - Machine Mart quite cheaply and will stop you wondering what size things are!  I bought one years ago for about £15 > £30 and it has earned its keep many times over, and not just for car jobs.

Edited by rum4mo
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are short and not extra strong cheapish sockets sold for getting these plastic filter covers off, just take a look at the laser tools website, they tend to list which engines these things fit.

Edit:- the "not extra strong" bit was not meant to be disparaging, a socket for that job does not need to be super strong, at least not as strong as a normal socket for that size of nut/bolt needs to be.

Another Edit!:- one tool that can be very handy is a digital calliper, they can be bought from places like Maplin - Machine Mart quite cheaply and will stop you wondering what size things are! I bought one years ago for about £15 > £30 and it has earned its keep many times over, and not just for car jobs.

I bought one this afternoon, took all three off the shelf to see which one was the correct fit. Thanks for the advice, the only ones available were metal 'chrome' ones, I don't mind paying the extra couple of pound of whatever the difference over a plastic one would of been. Picked an oil filter up too, just need to wait for my oil to arrive and I'll drop it/new filter/new oil. Sorted.

I should invest in one of the digital calliper/micrometer, it's just the lack of use it would get that holds me back.

JRJG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 I also use a pump, just because ive got a freezing drive way and not a nice warm garage... how ever ive read that its much better to drain from sump as the sludge gets drawn out as it sits on the bottom .. how true and to what degree i have no idea.

I always remove the drain plug and do it that way but if I had a pump I would change the oil more often which reduces the creation of sludge = better outcome ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I always remove the drain plug and do it that way but if I had a pump I would change the oil more often which reduces the creation of sludge = better outcome ?

As long as you changed the oil filter as well.

It is only worth doing every 8-10k in my opinion. I don't see why you would do it anymore often than that.

I have been told a pump doesn't drain as much oil as taking the sump plug out, I may have been told false information. Just what I have heard. Definitely easier with a pump though.

JRJG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Depends how far down you push the pipe into the sump. I use both methods personally.

The pipe pushes down the dipstick tube untill it hits the bottom of the sump. The usually curl slightly anyway so do it in the direct of the sump plug and you'll get 95% of what you would anyway.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have been told a pump doesn't drain as much oil as taking the sump plug out, I may have been told false information. Just what I have heard. Definitely easier with a pump though.

JRJG

 

Depends on the car and sump, I've been unable to recover as much as a few litres before but in general you get enough out.

 

It wouldn't hurt to alternate and drain the oil fully every other oil change just to make sure your getting everything

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Community Partner

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to BRISKODA. Please note the following important links Terms of Use. We have a comprehensive Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.