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I just went and got my oil change (since I dont know how to do this stuff) and they say I have more things that need changing now. I know they will try to charge like 50 bucks a piece or more, so screw that. I havent found many DIY's for any of this. What my probs are and I need some DIYs for are:

Air Filter - I can do this one
Brake Fluid - Dirty, needs flush (maybe with DIY)
Coolant - Dirty, needs flush (maybe with DIY)
Transmission Fluid (manual) - dirty, needs flush (maybe DIY, but only 1 jack for tire changes)
Belts - Radiator belt, and hoses need replacing (I think I could do this one)
Power Steering Fluid - Flush Maintenance, dirty

I know I would get charged up the a** at Midas for this. I might be able to get charged just parts at a Midas, but not sure, and is inconvenient.

Does anybody have some DIYs for this. Im in the hole like 500 bucks right now as is, and I dont need all this! Thank you

 
Rep Power: 811

Brake fluid is only $30 let dealer fool with it unless you really know about brakes.

Coolant, pull plastic drain plug under radiator, drain, squeeze upper hose to pump remaining fluid out, close, add new coolant to radiator until full, then coolant reserve tank until full. Start car with rad cap open, let warm up, turn on ac for 5-10 mins, let bubbles come out, turn car off and close cap. Done.

Tranny fluid. Easy for autos, maybe harder for manual. Shop for $40?

didn't know we had to do radiator belt? hoses easy, just do when coolant is drained.

power steering never seen maintenance for that.

 
Rep Power: 337

dirty brake fluid? never heard of it. it will take two guys to properly change it. youwill need to bleed the brake system. if you have to ask what this is, take it somewhere.

coolant...you can change the fluid yourself easy but its a messy job, you will need a large container to catch all the coolant. keep animals away cause antifreeze tastes sweet and will kill them. you "flush" the system with a hose and a kit from auto zone for like $7

tranny fluid. i would have a tranny flush done somewhere. they are always advertised for about $90 at most car wash places. you can change it yourself but again its messy, (probly 5 quarts), tranny fluid is expensive, you will need a pump to fill it and you will be under the car for a while...sounds like you dont realy have the tools for the job. pay the $90 and have them do the power flush....gets all the crap out.

hoses are easy like he said above..do it yourself

belts are a pain in the ***. look at how much room is between the belts and the driver side fenderwell but can be done with the right tools and some help...think about correct belt tension, wether you have the tools for it and then weigh that on the price.

power steering is easy...take the hose off the bottom of the pump...let it all drain, then fill it up. dont know about a power flush on that though..i never did anything like that.


side note: when i fill the radiator, i fill the rad up, let it run till the thermostat opens ( you will see the level drop) then fill it the rest of the way up, wait till the bubbles are gone and pu the cap on.

 
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Thanks a lot! I figure with the hoses, I will be able to just look at the others and hook em up the same way. Ill just go to autozone or checker and buy the hoses from them.

They said my radiator hoses and belts were all dried and starting to crack? I wasnt aware of that, I need to go check on what their talkin about.

I was thinking after reading about brakes I didnt want to mess with those, and they are like one of the most important parts on a car. I guess everything is dirty, even though I was supposed to have had a tuneup like 5,000 miles ago. they didnt do a damn thing apparently.

thanks a lot though!!

 
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Thanks a lot Alex! I should buy a bunch of beer and have some people help me out. this would take a week or two, still paying X-Mas off.

 
Rep Power: 274

How many miles on the car? Your brake fluid most likely doesn't need to be flushed. Coolant is very easy. Just do what that other guy said. Tranny fluid is very easy as well. There is 1 plug at the bottom of the tranny, usually you need a torx bit for this. Theres a similar plug on the top of the tranny too. Just drain all the old oil (usually just motor oil, refer to manual for oil weight) than fill her back up. The manual will tell you how high to fill. The belts are a sinch but might give you a pinch trying to squeeze your hands in there to get to the tensioner. Your p/s fluid shouldn't need to be changed. Depends on the miles. Good luck

 
Rep Power: 282

good luck

 
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I have 88,000 Miles, I decided the belt would not be one I would want to do. Sorry its so east for you. I never took an Auto class, nor did my parents ever even tell me to get an oil change at 3,000. I was never told anything about cars, and am learning now. Im auto mechanically challenged if you want to call it. Im trying to learn now, so I dont have to waste a grip of $$ on stuff that wont cost nearly as much myself. I have searched for DIYs on all the stuff as well. I posted this in the AZ forum, not auto probs, or maintenance. Thank you everybody but Sickboy! You were all helpful!

 
Rep Power: 274

If you need help let me know. I'd be willing to lend a hand.

 
Rep Power: 305

Most of these items appear to be changed/checked at 3 years.

Brake fluid, clutch fluid, change at 3 years due to air/water contaminating the fluid.

Hoses, and belts around this time to be sure they don't break at a bad moment. Better to change in your drive way than have them break somewhere else.

Power steering fluid is easiest when you get another piece of hose and a fitting. Take off the line returning to the res. and put the other end in a bucket. Start car, all the fluid will be pushed out, then fill with some to flush. When the fluid is clear again, then put the hose back on and fill to mark on tank. Turn wheels to the left and right to purge from steering rack.

Brake fluid is one man job if you buy speed bleeders (check valves that replace bleeder screws). Raceshopper.com has them both. For a good upgrade you can replace the fluid with some Super Blue ATE. Only 10 dollars a liter and it will do the whole car and clutch. Will help, won't hurt, cheap upgrade. Plus BMW's use the stuff stock. Blue color will let you know when the old is pushed out.

Hoses do at same time as coolant. Same as belts. Prestone has a new coolant that is green and extended life.

 
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Im thinking after all this is done, I should bring my car somewhere for the timing belt to get replaced. Since im almost 90,000, and am constantly in stop-go traffic, and I mean constantly. Power steering does look easiest for sure. Im gonna have a friend help me that has a 00si. He knows his sh**, so Ill feel more comfortable. He also has a 800+HP mustang 5.0 very very sweet. thanks for your input. see yall later

 
Rep Power: 282

If you have the $ definetly do the timing belt, but you should also have them do the water pump and accessory belts done while they're right there. I just had Honda do that and a valve adjustment on our accord for $450 (expect $450-$600). Use the turkey baster method for the ps fluid, if someone does your water pump they should do the coolant for you, and if you don't feel comfortable doing the brakes then let someone else do it.

ps. I didn't notice it was in the AZ forum, just trying relay how easy this stuff is and not to be worried.

 
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Sorry, I was in a bad mood, had to go to couples therapy yesterday right after I posted. I think Ill bring my car to a shop that is trustworthy. Honda is way too much money for me to pay right now. My sons grandfather works at Midas, and he does everything like he would on his own car. and hes the only one who works on it when its there. If his manager is gone, I get charged 4 parts, but get free labor. Labor is whats gonna get really expensive, but some of the belts may be??

 
Rep Power: 282

I'll check the invoice tonight when I get home from work. Belts are relatively cheap though.

 
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thanks a lot!

 
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Ill let you know if I need some help with it, thank you very much!



Have you all gotten your Pimp name yet?
http://www.playerappreciate.com/pimphandle.asp

 
Rep Power: 379

I just replaced a P/S pump belt for $10 at Checker

 
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thanks, I might go buy some shi* this week and get some of it knocked out of the way.