Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Jimbob on 05 October 2007, 19:51:53

Title: Work completed today
Post by: Jimbob on 05 October 2007, 19:51:53
Had some time, so got my hands dirty

Some of you know how new this is to me, trusted a mechanic friend until recently do keep our cars right, now trying to learn myself, all thanks to this place.

All on the 2.2, so nice and roomy...
Oil change ( I know, so what, but it was my 1st one !)
made a bit of a mess but I got there!

Coolant flush and header tank replace, old blue coolant gone, flushed with water, red coolant, then filled with red, looks nicer, and seems to run a few degrees cooler as well!

Tomorrow I'm going to do the Spark Plugs.

Like I say, this will sound like nothing to most of you, but is an achievement to me!
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Baron Von Spongebob on 05 October 2007, 19:53:40
Well done. :y

It is a pleasure when you do the things yourself.. :y
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Jimbob on 05 October 2007, 19:59:35
Aye, real sense of acheivement

Right tool for the job helps too...

Started with the old halfords 150 piece jobby

After a mammoth job on my HBV earlier in the year, bought some laser hoseclip pliers from halfords, made the job a lot easier, highly recommended.

Bought a torque wrench as well today!

Need a better oil filter wrench though, my pound shop one just about did the job, but not very easily.
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Dazzler on 05 October 2007, 20:00:21
Well done Jimbob, job well done indeed :y
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: razzo on 05 October 2007, 20:04:21
nice one Jimbob, makes you feel good  :y
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Auto Addict on 05 October 2007, 20:16:49
Well done, now have a go at the throttle body and breathers.

Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Jimbob on 05 October 2007, 20:20:52
Throttle body and breathers were done earlier in the year, made a hell of a difference.

Would have tackled the job, but lack of a torque wrench has put me off a lot, now remedied :)

Ohh, did the air filter as well.

Sorry to say the car was that desperate for a service (been promising for about 2 months) that there is a noticable difference in the car!

Oil was very dirty, so I think 500 miles tops and I'll do that again.

Tunnies Oil & Coolant guides gave me the knowledge to try
down to AA's guide tomorrow for the plugs!
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Golfbuddy on 05 October 2007, 20:24:28
Well done Jimbob.  :y
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: hotel21 on 05 October 2007, 21:12:53
Good stuff, Jimbob.  Even the longest of journeys have to start with the first few steps....  Well done   :y

[size=10]'Kin 'Ell - thats a bit heavy for a Friday night and a few Bacardi's!![/size]   ;D
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 05 October 2007, 21:13:31
Well done  :y :y

Tho you've just reminded me I havent changed my plugs yet.....5k over due imo.
I usually change mine every 10k.....coz im on lpg.....it has been missing a bit more than usual lately   :(

Oh and theres a brand new air filter sitting by the plugs that i havent changed either.....one in the car is the same as the plugs....done 15k  :-[

Oh and a point.....recommended torque for the plugs is 25NM iirc.....which imo is bloody tight for them.....i was worried about snapping them or stripping the thread.....so i usually set mine to 20NM or slightly lower......but its upto you....too loose and they can vibrate loose....tho be interested to hear what others set their plugs to.....if you use a torque wrench  ;D
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: TheBoy on 05 October 2007, 22:42:06
Cracking job, glad it went well with no hitches :)

We all started somewhere, so an oil change and coolant change is an achievement :y

Nobody on this forum will laugh at you for having a go, and if something goes wrong, there is lots of help.  Plus Mrs Jimbob has a permenent communication channel with the DTM household :y
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 05 October 2007, 22:52:24
Quote
Cracking job, glad it went well with no hitches :)

We all started somewhere, so an oil change and coolant change is an achievement :y

Nobody on this forum will laugh at you for having a go, and if something goes wrong, there is lots of help.  Plus Mrs Jimbob has a permenent communication channel with the DTM household :y

Fair do's for doing that.....i wont do mine myself.......its a tad difficult where i live....plus i thinks its a messy job.....so i bung my local garage £20 for doing it for me.....so you've saved yourself at least £20....just for that job  :y :y
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 05 October 2007, 23:14:15
Quote
be interested to hear what others set their plugs to.....if you use a torque wrench  ;D

25nm, with a v thin smear of grease on the thread...
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 05 October 2007, 23:27:59
Quote
Quote
be interested to hear what others set their plugs to.....if you use a torque wrench  ;D

25nm, with a v thin smear of grease on the thread...

I dont believe you James......you dont use a torque wrench  ;D
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 05 October 2007, 23:28:58
Quote
Quote
Quote
be interested to hear what others set their plugs to.....if you use a torque wrench  ;D

25nm, with a v thin smear of grease on the thread...

I dont believe you James......you dont use a torque wrench  ;D

Unless its mine, which i have back now   ;)
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Elite Pete on 06 October 2007, 08:08:38
Well done Jimbob :y If theres anything you need give me a shout  :y
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Jimbob on 06 October 2007, 10:19:37
Cheers all, Spark plugs now done as well, car running beautifully  :y
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 06 October 2007, 10:23:10
Excellent job....

What does Mrs Jimbob think to Mr Jimbob cutting his teeth on mechanics on her car.....
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Jimbob on 06 October 2007, 11:03:08
She is quite impressed!
Suprised she let me, after the axle stand incident at the lakes  ::)

Torque wrench storage....

Should these ideally be kept a max / min / inbetween when not in use?
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Kevin Wood on 06 October 2007, 12:27:12
Quote
Should these ideally be kept a max / min / inbetween when not in use?

Turn them down to the minimum torque. This reduces the stress on the spring and stops them going out of calibration. :y

Kevin

Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 06 October 2007, 12:31:42
Yep, minimum.....although I suspect in reality it makes little difference...
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Jimbob on 06 October 2007, 12:47:44
Cheers, thats where I left it!  good guess :)
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Paul M on 07 October 2007, 17:20:03
Quote
Need a better oil filter wrench though, my pound shop one just about did the job, but not very easily.

I just use a hammer and screwdriver when it won't come off by hand, it's going in the bin anyway. I have one of those strap and socket type wrenches but it's more bother than it's worth to use.
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Crazydad on 07 October 2007, 17:33:06
a good bit of work well done  :y :y
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: TheBoy on 07 October 2007, 19:56:37
I tend to use those plier type filter tools - quick, easy, and ideal for V6 canister types, and diesel fuel filters....
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: x25xe on 07 October 2007, 20:08:12
Quote
Quote
Need a better oil filter wrench though, my pound shop one just about did the job, but not very easily.

I just use a hammer and screwdriver when it won't come off by hand, it's going in the bin anyway. I have one of those strap and socket type wrenches but it's more bother than it's worth to use.

And if you only tighten the filter up by hand from now on, you won't need a filter wrench / strap!
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: MikeDundee on 07 October 2007, 20:18:00
Good job Jimbob :y....................Is AA also giving you advice on how to clean the engine bay ::)
Title: Re: Work completed today
Post by: Dazzler on 07 October 2007, 21:49:44
Keep up the good work Jimbob :y