Self service?

[leemarkadams]

Just wondering, does anyone here do their own servicing on a Cerbera or Tuscan? Reason I ask is I resent paying a lot of money for a check over and oil change, when we all know the parts will come to no more than £100.

I would still have the tappets etc done at a specialist, but it is just the service part that is annoying. I know you get a 'specialist' to look at your car, but you are paying a LOT for the privelige of a rubber stamp.

Now I am very handy with a set of spanners etc, so am confident of doing it myself, the only concern I have is regarding re-sale, as I reckon a lot of people would be put off. So, what if I was to get it serviced every few years at a specialist, with me doing the rest?

Sorry for rambling on, just want to get peoples toughts on this.

Many thanks

Lee

[tegwin]

If I was going to buy a car of that type from someone who had been doing their own servicing.... It would not bother me..

Provided that when I talk to the seller he appears to know what he is talking about and has kept a goood record of all work etc..

From experience, these "experts" who charge a small fortune are usually useless spanner monkeys... I do all my work myself... Atleast then I know its been done properly!

[Dave 500]

Go for it I say. Just wish I had the time to do it myself to.

[rev-erend]

So what car do you have ?

[leemarkadams]

rev-erend said:

So what car do you have ?

Do not have one yet......just looking at the moment!

Lee

[nemasis]

leemarkadams said:

Just wondering, does anyone here do their own servicing on a Cerbera or Tuscan? Reason I ask is I resent paying a lot of money for a check over and oil change, when we all know the parts will come to no more than £100.

I would still have the tappets etc done at a specialist, but it is just the service part that is annoying. I know you get a 'specialist' to look at your car, but you are paying a LOT for the privelige of a rubber stamp.

Now I am very handy with a set of spanners etc, so am confident of doing it myself, the only concern I have is regarding re-sale, as I reckon a lot of people would be put off. So, what if I was to get it serviced every few years at a specialist, with me doing the rest?

Sorry for rambling on, just want to get peoples toughts on this.

Many thanks

Lee
A Little Story : A woman asks a trades man to put a picture for her, of course says the man and promptly puts the picture up for her. he then presents the bill" £5.10 my god says the woman i didnt think it was going to be that dear" the tradesman then explains its "5p for the nail,5p for the hook and a fiver to know where to put it" So if your so good and handy with spanners why take the car to a specialist to have the tappets done,i mean its easy if you KNOW HOW all it is is a set if feeler guages,a 5h1t load of shims of varying sizes,and knowing how to time up ,remove the cams correctly,retightening the chains!!!! do it your self??? if you resent paying the money. the crux of it is that this might be too deep for you?? or what if something breaks?? or did i time that up right? or where does this go and why have i got this bolt left?? or why have i no oil pressure all ive done is changed the oil?? or why has the camshaft snapped all i did was tighten it down????? get a grip. and as for "useless spanner monkeys" this i find offensive and comes from a person who drives a 2500 not really up to date motoring is it,dont see many of them being plug into a computer now do you now.its got nothing to do with the bloody rubber stamp it having it done correctly if you cant afford the bills buy a nissan micra.

[Monkeylegend]

Think you have just met your Nemesis!!!!!!!

[rev-erend]

Lee - it's easy to miss judge some one on here..

We have no idea whether you are an ex F1 or Motorcycle mechanic who finds the technical aspects of a car a challenge or is just someone out of his depth and who like the cars because they seem reasonably priced but think 1K / 6K miles is too much much and they must be pretty simple because they are British.

Make no mistake - if you want simple : buy a Griff or Chim..

More hi tech and modern and higher running costs - buy : Tuscan/T350/Saggy?Tamora/Cerb V8/S6..

Sorry but there it is..

[Zippee]

nemasis said:

leemarkadams said:

Just wondering, does anyone here do their own servicing on a Cerbera or Tuscan? Reason I ask is I resent paying a lot of money for a check over and oil change, when we all know the parts will come to no more than £100.

I would still have the tappets etc done at a specialist, but it is just the service part that is annoying. I know you get a 'specialist' to look at your car, but you are paying a LOT for the privelige of a rubber stamp.

Now I am very handy with a set of spanners etc, so am confident of doing it myself, the only concern I have is regarding re-sale, as I reckon a lot of people would be put off. So, what if I was to get it serviced every few years at a specialist, with me doing the rest?

Sorry for rambling on, just want to get peoples toughts on this.

Many thanks

Lee
A Little Story : A woman asks a trades man to put a picture for her, of course says the man and promptly puts the picture up for her. he then presents the bill" £5.10 my god says the woman i didnt think it was going to be that dear" the tradesman then explains its "5p for the nail,5p for the hook and a fiver to know where to put it" So if your so good and handy with spanners why take the car to a specialist to have the tappets done,i mean its easy if you KNOW HOW all it is is a set if feeler guages,a 5h1t load of shims of varying sizes,and knowing how to time up ,remove the cams correctly,retightening the chains!!!! do it your self??? if you resent paying the money. the crux of it is that this might be too deep for you?? or what if something breaks?? or did i time that up right? or where does this go and why have i got this bolt left?? or why have i no oil pressure all ive done is changed the oil?? or why has the camshaft snapped all i did was tighten it down????? get a grip. and as for "useless spanner monkeys" this i find offensive and comes from a person who drives a 2500 not really up to date motoring is it,dont see many of them being plug into a computer now do you now.its got nothing to do with the bloody rubber stamp it having it done correctly if you cant afford the bills buy a nissan micra.

WTF!!! Lees only talking about routine servicing.
Look closely and you'll see he mentions taking it to specialists for tappets etc!
Get off your f**king high horse. Just because someone doesn't work as a mechanic by trade does not mean they don't know what to do!

[justin220]

On a car like a TVR, a full TVR service history would be the first thing i would look for.

Wouldn't buy one without it

[nemasis]

WTF!!! Lees only talking about routine servicing.
Look closely and you'll see he mentions taking it to specialists for tappets etc!
Get off your f**king high horse. Just because someone doesn't work as a mechanic by trade does not mean they don't know what to do!
[/quote] so if he does the routine service as per the service schedule and misses some thing and then loses his brakes on the m62 and kills innocent people just because he RESENTED paying out money for a routine 'check over and oil change'.What then????? the service schedule is not just a check over and oil change it is there for a reason and there is no high horse involved. as i said if you cant afford the bills stay away.and if he knows what to do (because he isnt a mechanic by trade) but he is good with spanners this is ok then is it

[leemarkadams]

Right, stop sodding arguing!!

I only asked a simple question and I am getting the feeling that it would need a full TVR specialist service history to re-sell.

I understand the complexities of the Tuscan and Cerbera, and as said would only look at basic servicing myself.

As for cost, I could easily afford the servicing at a specialist, just resent paying a lot for an oil change!

Anyway, thanks for all the replies.

Regards

Lee

[nemasis]

leemarkadams said:

Right, stop sodding arguing!!

I only asked a simple question and I am getting the feeling that it would need a full TVR specialist service history to re-sell.

I understand the complexities of the Tuscan and Cerbera, and as said would only look at basic servicing myself.

As for cost, I could easily afford the servicing at a specialist, just resent paying a lot for an oil change!

Anyway, thanks for all the replies.

Regards

Lee

this is not an arguement it is basic SAFETY, and if you can easily afford it why bother yourself??????? unless santa is bringing you a haynes manual! If you just want an oil change that is not dear price of filter,oil and 20mins labour and no more.

[heightswitch]

I think nemasis apart from hiding behind a veil in your profile, you should actually re-read lee's post. He actually made no mention of a spanner monkey, another poster did.

I think you have a point about de-valuing skills but you yourself make it offensively! Similarly Lee makes a valid point. Their is nothing remotely specialist about routine engine and mechanical servicing. The shimming of an engines tappets and in an AJP's case the timing of the cams requires more specialist knowledge and tools to do properly so it is entirely appropriate to judge relative levels of competance and choose the route accordingly.

Some specialists are better than others and I can show you some pretty shoddy work carried out by so called specialists in my time. Similarly The all too snobby attitude of "If you can't afford it you shouldn't own it" is another misnomer today usually perpetuated by persons who lack the ability to get hands dirty.

I build and restore cars, Which can mean alot of things but in my case it means Engine, body, welding, fabrication, casting, turning and Milling. I still however get my run around oil changed at kwik Fit because I cannot buy the oil and filter cheaper than the price they charge.

On the other hand some so called specialists are charging well above £100 per hour to actually employ a diluty to do the routine work under the watchful eye of a foreman to have the oil changed and in this case I do resent propping up the MD's pension.

So yes, whilst not wanting to devalue any specialists trade, You do need to get of your high horse.

N.

Edited by heightswitch on Friday 7th November 22:06

Edited by heightswitch on Friday 7th November 22:06

Edited by heightswitch on Friday 7th November 22:07

Edited by heightswitch on Friday 7th November 22:07

[nemasis]

heightswitch said:

nemasis said:

WTF!!! Lees only talking about routine servicing.
Look closely and you'll see he mentions taking it to specialists for tappets etc!
Get off your f**king high horse. Just because someone doesn't work as a mechanic by trade does not mean they don't know what to do!

so if he does the routine service as per the service schedule and misses some thing and then loses his brakes on the m62 and kills innocent people just because he RESENTED paying out money for a routine 'check over and oil change'.What then????? the service schedule is not just a check over and oil change it is there for a reason and there is no high horse involved. as i said if you cant afford the bills stay away.and if he knows what to do (because he isnt a mechanic by trade) but he is good with spanners this is ok then is it

I think nemasis apart from hiding behind a veil in your profile, you should actually re-read lee's post. He actually made no mention of a spanner monkey, another poster did.

I think you have a point about de-valuing skills but you yourself make it offensively! Similarly Lee makes a valid point. Their is nothing remotely specialist about routine engine and mechanical servicing. The shimming of an engines tappets and in an AJP's case the timing of the cams requires more specialist knowledge and tools to do properly so it is entirely appropriate to judge relative levels of competance and choose the route accordingly.

Some specialists are better than others and I can show you some pretty shoddy work carried out by so called specialists in my time. Similarly The all too snobby attitude of "If you can't afford it you shouldn't own it" is another misnomer today usually perpetuated by persons who lack the ability to get hands dirty.

I build and restore cars, Which can mean alot of things but in my case it means Engine, body, welding, fabrication, casting, turning and Milling. I still however get my run around oil changed at kwik Fit because I cannot buy the oil and filter cheaper than the price they charge.

On the other hand some so called specialists are charging well above £100 per hour to actually employ a diluty to do the routine work under the watchful eye of a foreman to have the oil changed and in this case I do resent propping up the MD's pension.

So yes, whilst not wanting to devalue any specialists trade, You do need to get of your high horse.

N.

the 'spanner monkey' was refering to the other poster not lee,as for there is nothing routine about a engine and mechanical service i will disagree there. 4.2 cerbera for example, changing of spark plugs,how easy it is not get the spark plug started correctly especially into no's8 and 7 ,stripped threads!!especially when you havent done one before. you say you build and restore cars yet you go to kwik fit because they can do it cheaper utter bull,i dont go somewhere else to do my own cars because i can do it at the same price. so why cant you???????and as for hiding behind my veil i am part of AUTOMEDON in blackpool, also i actually worked at TVR unlike the specialists who claim they did. and i dont charge £100 per hour, and as for routine again go to tuscan forum and see 'a real Shocker' that should have been picked up on a service or did he do the routine service himself???????

[R TOY]

My 2pence worth.... When i bought my 1st TVR(2nd hand) , a 98 450 Chim it needed a service. So having shelled out some 22k i then discovered that TMS wanted £650 to service it. Local garage had a look and said to change all oils, filters, plugs and leads, grease everything, check out all brakes (Ford stuff anyway), the full works was £150. So local garage it was and the car never saw a specialist/dealer workshop in the 5 1/2 yrs i owned it. Did a fair bit myself as well. We soon found out which parts TVR used and all could be scourced from local motor factors at a fraction of the cost. The saving over 5+years certainly ran into many thousands and the car sold well with a glowing report and the new owner is still i believe v happy. This was however a Chimeara, Rover engine, ford axle and brakes. Doesnt need specialist servicing...(imo)
I now own a Tuscan, once again bought 2nd hand but this is rather more specialised. Local garage (who now do a lot of TVR work) are still not confident to service sp 6 engines. Although the engine is a simple big lump it notoriously 'fickle' and is not something that mechanics come across v often or ideal for DIY servicing. Oil change,brake pads/discs fine but i would personally be cautious to go further and a specialist stamp in the service book does give one confidence both as an owner and a buyer..
If you are worried about high servicing costs then get a Rover V8 model and DIY.
Main thing is...enjoy it

[heightswitch]

Whilst telling Little stories.

This topic reminds me of an entertaining happening at a well known car manufacturing plant. a good friend of my dads, in old engineering speak "a clarty mechanical fitter" was called into said plant because a compressor had broken down. it was a big compressor and the factory full of specialist technicians couldn't fix it.

The technicians were all in dismay since the removal of the compressor would take at least 3 days and then how long would it need to be away before it was repaired, then how long would it take to re-install. oh my god the whole manufacturing plant will be out of action for 2 weeks, what will we do!!

after the head was taken off it was found that a ring had broken dowwn and picked up on the bore. no problem i will strip it and Bore it in situ said Franky.

What! You mean you can repair it without taking it away?

of couse said franky. if a ships engine fails in the atlantic you cannot send it away.

2 days later the engine had been stripped in situ, bored and rebuilt. the plant was on line and the senior plant manager couldn't thank franky enough.

do you want a job he said.

No thanks he said. I am just a clarty fitter and not a specialist technician??

Food for thought perhaps.

Neil.

[nemasis]

R TOY said:

My 2pence worth.... When i bought my 1st TVR(2nd hand) , a 98 450 Chim it needed a service. So having shelled out some 22k i then discovered that TMS wanted £650 to service it. Local garage had a look and said to change all oils, filters, plugs and leads, grease everything, check out all brakes (Ford stuff anyway), the full works was £150. So local garage it was and the car never saw a specialist/dealer workshop in the 5 1/2 yrs i owned it. Did a fair bit myself as well. We soon found out which parts TVR used and all could be scourced from local motor factors at a fraction of the cost. The saving over 5+years certainly ran into many thousands and the car sold well with a glowing report and the new owner is still i believe v happy. This was however a Chimeara, Rover engine, ford axle and brakes. Doesnt need specialist servicing...(imo)
I now own a Tuscan, once again bought 2nd hand but this is rather more specialised. Local garage (who now do a lot of TVR work) are still not confident to service sp 6 engines. Although the engine is a simple big lump it notoriously 'fickle' and is not something that mechanics come across v often or ideal for DIY servicing. Oil change,brake pads/discs fine but i would personally be cautious to go further and a specialist stamp in the service book does give one confidence both as an owner and a buyer..
If you are worried about high servicing costs then get a Rover V8 model and DIY.
Main thing is...enjoy it

at last someone with 2pence worth actually worth reading

[nemasis]

heightswitch said:

Whilst telling Little stories.

This topic reminds me of an entertaining happening at a well known car manufacturing plant. a good friend of my dads, in old engineering speak "a clarty mechanical fitter" was called into said plant because a compressor had broken down. it was a big compressor and the factory full of specialist technicians couldn't fix it.

The technicians were all in dismay since the removal of the compressor would take at least 3 days and then how long would it need to be away before it was repaired, then how long would it take to re-install. oh my god the whole manufacturing plant will be out of action for 2 weeks, what will we do!!

after the head was taken off it was found that a ring had broken dowwn and picked up on the bore. no problem i will strip it and Bore it in situ said Franky.

What! You mean you can repair it without taking it away?

of couse said franky. if a ships engine fails in the atlantic you cannot send it away.

2 days later the engine had been stripped in situ, bored and rebuilt. the plant was on line and the senior plant manager couldn't thank franky enough.

do you want a job he said.

No thanks he said. I am just a clarty fitter and not a specialist technician??

Food for thought perhaps.

Neil.

Not everyone is just a fitter,some of us actually worked in the big bad mechanical world before the servitude, theres the difference,its a 5h1t when you get food lodged in your throat isnt it

[heightswitch]

nemasis said:

heightswitch said:

Whilst telling Little stories.

This topic reminds me of an entertaining happening at a well known car manufacturing plant. a good friend of my dads, in old engineering speak "a clarty mechanical fitter" was called into said plant because a compressor had broken down. it was a big compressor and the factory full of specialist technicians couldn't fix it.

The technicians were all in dismay since the removal of the compressor would take at least 3 days and then how long would it need to be away before it was repaired, then how long would it take to re-install. oh my god the whole manufacturing plant will be out of action for 2 weeks, what will we do!!

after the head was taken off it was found that a ring had broken dowwn and picked up on the bore. no problem i will strip it and Bore it in situ said Franky.

What! You mean you can repair it without taking it away?

of couse said franky. if a ships engine fails in the atlantic you cannot send it away.

2 days later the engine had been stripped in situ, bored and rebuilt. the plant was on line and the senior plant manager couldn't thank franky enough.

do you want a job he said.

No thanks he said. I am just a clarty fitter and not a specialist technician??

Food for thought perhaps.

Neil.

Not everyone is just a fitter,some of us actually worked in the big bad mechanical world before the servitude, theres the difference,its a 5h1t when you get food lodged in your throat isnt it

Thats the point nemasis.

Lee made in my opinion a reasonable post which you unfairly shot down in flames.

Different people have different skill levels, similarly some specialists are special some are better than others and some are terrible?

When I last looked, apart from the AJP and Speed 6 engines. all of the mechanical componantry on any TVR is the same, metal tube chassis, tube wishbones, bushes, coil over springs, simple master cylinders and hydraulic brake system etc etc. In fact you could argue that my adjusted ramp angle 4HU is a lot more specialist to work on in my 60's car than the modern BTR in the later TVR's. Similarly my Quill shafts, crush tubes and bearings are a lot more complex to set up than the ford granada hub on a T350, but I digress.

I could take a TVR to a specialist and potentially have a st job done, I could take a TVR AJP engine to old Uncle franky and I am sure it would be rebuilt to perfection even though he hadn't ever worked on one before.

Some specialists have skills from an old engineering background, some specialists are buggered when the diagnostic computer fails to pick up a fault code. and looking at the Tuscan forum, I wonder how many TVR service stamps are in the book of the tuscan that has a knackered spring platform..Touchee.

All of the above doesn't give you the right to preach to someone you don't know because they choose to do the work within their skill set.

I am a competant amateur, I make no bones about this. but I am pretty sure I have the skills to change spark plugs, swap fluids, adjust brakes and cables and inspect wear items.

Similarly if i need an AJP rebuilt properly with a crank snapped in 8 places I know a lad called Simon that does it in Blackpool.
N.