Hi all!

My gf and I have a new-to-us Roomster 3 ('08, 1.6 petrol) with about 100k miles and 1 previous owner before private reseller. She uses it to commute and we use it on the weekend as our Weekend Warrior vehicle. We're climbers and surfers and we sleep in the back one or two nights practically every week, to maximize our time away from London.  Mind you, I have no tools, and am hoping to keep what tools I do buy to a minimum, as I'll be moving house in about 10 months, and the less stuff I have the better. So, if I can do a job with a non-speciliast tool I'm glad to do that, even if it means I have to be extra careful. But if the risk to reward ratio is high, I will buy the specialist tool if I can afford it. I'm not quite living hand to mouth, but one bad month and I would be.

 

Some things I've noticed and want to change or investigate.

1. EPC Light/Engine Light randomly comes on, ABS and TPS randomly comes on, INSP signal randomly comes on, air bag light randomly comes on (get OBDII to learn/clear)
   1. previous owner thinks it's likely due to new battery he put in? dunno what that would have to do with all these things.
2. Engine misfire/struggles to accelerate, especially getting on to motorway (spark plugs?)
3. AC/Fan barely does anything on 1-3, and goes full blast loud AF on setting 4 (air cabin filter-engine air filter?)
4. Passenger windows glitches and stops sometimes, have to keep clicking button to get it to go up all the way (take door panel off and grease or something?)
5. strange creaking/popping sound when hard brake/hard turn (suspension? new brake pads and discs from previous owner and new shocks from previous owner)
6. When I unlock the car with fob and open a door after a few minutes all the doors lock and then if I move in the car or close the door or open a new one the alarm goes off, but this stops if I just put the key in the ignition, even if I don't turn it to electrics or turn it on (I have no clue)
7. Just need to learn how to change the oil and oil filter, tbh. The previous owner changed both just before purchase. Any other basic maintenance like this that I should know? Feel free to recommend.

 

The first thing I want to do is buy a OBDII scanner. But most of the ones I seem to find on Amazon say they'll only give basic readings, but I think I found two that will give the advanced readings on my Roomster. I'm hoping someone can either confirm or deny this, and/or recommend me a cheaper or more reliable option.
1. OBD2 Scanner Bluetooth F600 Auto Code Reader for VW/Audi/Skoda/Seat Full-System Diagnostic Tool with ABS/Engine/Transmission/Oil Reset for iPhone & Android

2. NCEL VD500 Pro OBD2 Reader for Volkswagen VW Audi Skoda Seat Diagnosis Check Engine Light EPB ABS SRS Code Reader Oil Throttle Position Adaption Service Due Reset Tool

 

 

Second, I want to replace the spark plugs. The car has been struggling on accelerations, especially getting on to the motorway, and it feels like there's a misfire (based on google and reading about these symptoms).  I know I first need to get the VIN number and find out what plugs to buy.  But then I also need a torque wrench, and I think a 30 size?

 

 

Third, I want to change the engine air filter and the cabin air filter. I don't know when or if this was done, and the service book is with my GF currently. But I just imagine these aren't something changed very often. So, I think the tools I'll need are a hose clamp tool for the engine air fitler and a panel popper for inside, as well as a screw driver, correct? Is the panel popper actually needed?

 

#4, 5, & 6 I have no clue about or where even to start and they seem, at this stage a little out of my wheelhouse.

 

#7+ Oil and oil filter change seems like a basic thing I should learn, even if it's not needed right away (driven 3k miles so far since last oil change). What are other basic maintenance that I can do that will help us stay out of the mechanics shop?

 

Thanks in advance!

Welcome to the forum.

 

Lots you have listed like issues with doors / locks (windows)  will come up in this forum if you look through a few pages.

Wiring loom at door.

 

I am all for DIY and getting to know the car, going to evening classes on car maintenance when there is no pandemic etc,

but when Money is tight enough to mention it can sometimes be worth getting a professional before buying tools.

 

What i am suggesting is finding a Local Mechanic,

maybe best a Man / Woman with a van, and see what they charge.

 

So they can do a Mobile Service Person job and maybe you an ask can you watch.

 

They will know how to read fault codes. You can see what they see, they can print the codes logged.

You will see a little of how to do a diagnosis.

They will know if an Ignition Coil is the issue.

The plug change will be quick. The Air & Pollen Filter will be quick for them to do.

 

Ask them if they want you to buy the Spark Plugs, pollen / cabin filter / Air & Oil Filter and the OIl, or if they want to provide them.

 

You can get the car serviced, watch what they are doing, get told what more needs doing and what you can do yourself.

Next time you might have all the gear and a bit of an idea.

 

They will be jacking the car up as you would need to, be checking the bearing, brakes, steering etc at least with an inspection.

 

Edited 17 June, 20214 yr by e-Roottoot

THanks e-Roottoot for the response.

I have looked up here everything I've mentioned, that's why I joined the forum.

I guess the list is as much for me as for anyone who wants to provide suggestions, such as yourself.

Interesting suggestion you have here. I might just do that, but I wanted to spend the money on beginning to build up my kit first, rather than go straight to a mechanic and spend that money there, if that makes sense, and I was just planning to do these little by little, rather than all at once.  I ordered them for what I think is priority and possible. For instance, I figured with an OBDII and codes, I can use the forum/google to understand them, and the spark plug change, based on other posts, seemed like something I could do myself without getting a mechanic involved.

 

That being said, would you still recommend going with the Order-A-Mechanic route?

 

 

Spark plugs are cheap enough and changing them on the engine you have is easy enough, but you need to know if it is the coils that can be the issue.

You do not want to clear fault codes that actually are relevant to issues still ongoing.

 

Lots of codes might be from past flat battery periods of time and following then.

 

You want to know what is causing warning lights now. Is it just a bad earth or lose terminal type thing.

 

If there is a Earth / Connection issue giving the ABS / TPMS warnings then you need to know or you need to know if there is more to it and work needing doing.

Maybe worth a scan, clear and scan again after a week of driving and vehicle use.

 

issue #3 - fan resistor?

29 minutes ago, bspman said:

Maybe worth a scan, clear and scan again after a week of driving and vehicle use.

 Might be worth it indeed! I'll respond to your PM momentarilly.

 

30 minutes ago, bspman said:

issue #3 - fan resistor?

I've found this video on YouTube and based on the comments from people under the video it sounds like that's my issue.  I'll add soldering kit to my to-purchase list.

You don't necessarily need the soldering iron - A replacement resistor will be fine.  They're like £8.

 

Edited 17 June, 20214 yr by bspman

I consider myself just a basic diyer mechanic. My thinking is know your limits, what you think you can succefully complete yourself or pay someone else to do.

Basic service , changing oil and air , pollen , oil filters should be achievable.

Buy yourself a basic metric socket set that starts at 10mm and goes up to 21mm , make sure your only buying a metric set not AF.

Any other socket you need can be bought separately as and when you need it. 

Go to any petrol station on main routes, see if they've got  any old ad blue containers around the commercial pumps, cut top off and you've got a container for oil changes. 

I've never bothered with oil filter wrenches, just hammered a stubby flat blade screw driver through it and wound it off.

Be careful with sump plug, don't overtighten.

Don't use Halfords for your parts, find your local independent factors. I can get VW 507 grade oil for ,£22 ish for 5 litres. If you're lucky like me and have several make a list of service parts you need and see if you can play one off against the other on price.

Have you tried silicone spray on the window runners? Use it on our cars to ease windows. 

Good luck !