Servicing e.t.c.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chedawan
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Chedawan

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As some of you wil have seen in my intro post, I've just bought a 53 plate Almera S, and it's due for a service.

My question is twofold:

Firstly, I've found a garage to service the car, but is there anything specific I could do with asking them to check? (I know you'll probably say that the garage will do the full shebang, but I'm a little wary after my last garage helped my last car on its way to Scrapyard-heaven by failing to do some pretty basic things on its last - ever - service.) From a fairly thorough reading of the forums I've picked up that I should probably ask them to have a good look at the timing chain for stretching and wear, and that there's a known problem with a bearing in the gearbox. Anything else that I should be watching for?


Secondly, as is probably obvious to most of you, my knowledge of mechanical things as concerns cars could pretty well be written out longhand on a cigarette paper. However I'd like to learn a bit, don't think I'll ever get to the level of servicing my own car (give me a computer and I'll happily take it to pieces, solder points to increase the voltage, the list goes on... looking under the bonnet of my car currently brings me out in cold sweats.) However I think knowing the basics would be advantageous to me, and to be honest, what with the new car and all, I've become quite interested - would like to get to the car servicing level but seriously doubt I would.

Anyhow, the question is, what's the best place to learn (I know the answer's 'hand's on' but I'd need a clue before I actually picked up a wrench), I understand there's no Hayne's manual for the 'mera, but is there anything similar? I've searched the forums for an answer but can't find anything that answers the question, but if there is please yell at me and I'll go and find it, I'm not looking to be spoonfed here. Likewise if there's a brilliant guide or the like in the paid members area please let me know as I've sent my cheque off and hopefully should have access soon.
Otherwise, I've noticed a few places found via a google search are selling service guides for download, as are loads of ebay auctions (but on CD), just wondered if anyone has any experience of these... can't help but think the ebay ones are probably not that great.

Anyhow, thanks for reading and many thanks in advance for any help you can offer me,

Adam.
 
53 plate? ask them to check to see if the pollen filter has been changed, its located behind the glove box, also by now the brake fluid should of been changed if not it would be worth getting it changed same goes for the anti freeze (coolant)
also fuel filter, but on the n16 almera's like yours i cant remember if they have the type that needs changing or if its the type thats in the tank.

other wise a normal service will do, oil filter, oil, plugs air filter and a general check over including brakes

as for learning, either a basic course at a night school or haynes manual if they make them for the N16 yet
 
ive recently learnt quite a bit about my gti. in my case the best way to learn is when something goes wrong. had the top and bottom off my engine this week. tops easy enough but the bottom was a bit of a bitch. looking for a knock. eventually found it and now know a lot more about my car. ;)
 
I reckon doing stuff is the best way to learn rather than reading about it, when i got my first car i didnt know how to service it, so I got a haynes manual and just did it. same goes for most other car things i've done!
 
thing that really annoys me is that i seriously lack hands on experience at the moment with anything more than a service and a few other things, definately is the best way to learn without a doubt. get the parts and maybe get someone you know to help you with it, if you can work on computers then a service will be really simple
 
tbh, i think you'd learn alot of stuff by sticking around on this forum, i've learned so much and have probably saved hundreds of euros by doing services and small jobs myself..

as for an n16 service manual, i think there is one available on the net for it, i cant remember the link or anything but i'll try find it for you
 
my n15 GTi is due for service now, what price should I be looking at??? sorry to interupt mate lol.. any 1 guide me to a decent price so I know im not being ripped off, il barter them anyways haha
 
Myself?? Ahh id rather have the stamp in the book though mate, I did a mini service a few months ago, but need it fully serviced now lol and want to keep the FSH up to date lol.... any price guides??
 
I dont think the stamp means much when our cars are as old as they are, and I'd rather do it myself knowing its done properly than take it to a garage and for all i know pay them to do nothing. I understand what you're sayin though but for the price you'd pay to do a full service yourself i'd do it lol, id also rather buy a car of someone who'd serviced it themselves as it shows the rest of the car is probably looked after, perhaps if it was new a FSH would be nice like!
 
haha yeah true... ahh stuff it, I'll probs do it myself then lol didnt really realise that, just wanted to make it official and have the stamps in right places....ahh well lol :P
 
Just a thought, i always makea note in the service history when i've done one, saying what i did and what oil went in etc, partly so i can remember, but also to impress any future buyers! lol
 
£150???? Jesus I wasnt thinking that much lol, looks like ill do it meself, aye Kelv thats a good idea jotting down the service lol I'll give it a go this weekend, any specific things I should be looking out for or making sure I change/clean etc??
 
K33 ELV said:
Just a thought, i always makea note in the service history when i've done one, saying what i did and what oil went in etc, partly so i can remember, but also to impress any future buyers! lol
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It's definitely a good idea, my new GTi was serviced privately after 46,000 miles and theres nothing written in the log book after that!
 
Cheers for the advice guys. Booked her in for a service today, so when I drop her off I'll make sure they know I want all those things looking at.

Again, thanks for the help.
 
Managed to get it all sorted, thanks for the advice, apparently the bearing in the gear box shows no signs of wear, other than you would normally see in a three year old car, and everything else checked out fine (with obvious changes like the pollen filter, oil and so on), apart from needing two new front tires due to tire tread depth being very close to legal limit, so had them done.
Just one querstion, someone suggested I should have my Air Conditioning serviced, is this worthwhile? I've been quoted £55 to have it done, and all seals replaced, just wondering if this needs doing or are they fairly reliable?
 
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