5 DIY Car Repair Mistakes to Avoid
Some do-it-yourself car repair can seem like a worthy task, but if you aren't prepared for the work, it can do more damage than good. There are many blunders that a beginner can make which can not only be hazardous, but will cost you money.
DIY car repair is a hobby for many people,
but if you aren't careful it can quickly turn into a disaster. Before plunging into the depths of your engine, crack open a book and start studying. It will also be helpful if you can avoid these five common blunders.
1. Losing Parts
Car repair is not the same as assembling flat packed furniture. Leftover parts are a definite bad sign, and losing them completely is even worse. If you have a poor memory when it comes to putting parts back together correctly, a good method is to use a digital camera. Take shots of each stage of the disassembly or even record a short video so you can double check or figure out where you went wrong. Also, buy yourself a magnetic catch pan and a decent, movable light source. You don't want to accidentally leak gas and fry your vehicle, and possibly your garage, to bits.
2. Loose Parts
Almost as bad as losing a component is not ensuring that it is tightened correctly. Sloppy work will be your downfall if you don't have the patience or physical strength to tighten bolts and caps properly. That donut you just put on to replace a flat? You might see it rolling down the highway in a matter of minutes if you didn't get those lug nuts nice and secured.
3. Wrong Tools
So you don't have the right wrench or screwdriver, what's so wrong about improvising? Using the wrong tools for car repair can damage the parts, which will ultimately cost you more to fix later on. Stripping the head of a screw can be a nightmare for a mechanic if the component is delicate or expensive to replace. If you can't afford the tools either rent them, borrow them, or bring it in to the shop.
4. Creative Materials
Don't be that guy who thinks duct tape and plastic ties can hold together half of his ride. While sometimes you have to be a bit creative and buy a door panel from a different color vehicle until you can afford a paint job to blend it in, there's no excuse for using a garbage bag as an impromptu back window or a compact lipstick mirror glued in place of the rearview mirror. These "fixes" can be dangerous. If the damage affects drivability or safety in any form, it is necessary to use the proper materials. Cosmetic car repair such as dents and scratches can be left.
5. Over Budget
How much did it cost you to change your oil at home? Was it the same or more expensive than if you had used a coupon at your local oil change shop? Too often DIY car repair ends up costing more than just bringing it in. While some people do it for pure satisfaction and enjoyment, if you are doing this solely to save money use some caution. Many routine tasks are actually cheaper if you let the pros deal with it. If you really want to save money, always find replacement parts on your own.
