Af'noon all. I knew this service was going to have some corkers, but looking at the list I'd really appreciate some experience re what I'm going to have to pay for, and what's DIYable for someone with no driveway, no level surface (though may have found a place you can hire to work, which has a lift) and has limited size/strength, though plenty of ingenuity. Thanks in advance 😁

Car is Fabia Mk2 combi/estate 1.2tsi 2011

- "major oil leak, needs cleaning off and further investigation"
It's been using more oil than usual so not a big surprise, except scale of it. What are you go-to spots to check/find a leak, and what are my chances of getting at them / fixing? 

Photo by garage 👇 though there's a video that shows other views up into the engine, that might be more help. Will screen grab if I can.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- "sign of coolant leak from coolant flange/thermostat housing". I was expecting this, but I've looked up the posts on here re changing the flange and it sounds feasible but requires other things to be dismantled. Does this need muscle-mass and axle stands? The quote is over £400, which may include time to be sure of the location of the leak, but perhaps also the labour for the faff involved?

Photo by garage 👇

 

 

- "Front lower arm bushes worn". Again, seen threads on here that suggest it's not hard, but needs chocks/car lift, and strength, and possibly three hands..?

 

- there are several things under the £130ish diagnostic charge. Is it worth it? Some don't need dx as I know exactly what's wrong with the passenger door window (switch needs replacing), but I don't know why the exhaust warning light is sometimes on and sometimes not, or why the timing chain is noisy. (I've been looking at buying a dx device but dithering)

- "rear axle heavily corroded and thin at shock absorber mounting point" OMflippinG. £1200 apparently, but that's a dealership. I know the answer is 'no of course you can't do that on your own, pillock' but anyone have a good experience of getting the whole axle replaced by a (non-dealership) garage and it all be fine and worth the money?! 

Photo by garage 👇 which I think is the underside of the OSR shock mounting point. 

 

 

 

Bumping for the next-week crowd...