Fisherking Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 (edited) I have done very little in the way of car mechanics before but with buying the Zed I thought it was a good time to learn, hoping it would save me a few pounds and better understand the car. But I am an idiot and this is my guide: Changing the oil So I have just bought a loverly new Zed but unsure of the oil that has been put in by the garage who serviced it, alarm bells have rung when they advise the Zed is fine to run on 95RON unleaded. So Saturdays here and Fuchs oil 5-30W purchased along with new oil filter from Opie Oils, car on jacks it's time to drain the oil. Part one done. Now it's time to change the filter but hey what's this it just doesn't turn to come off by hand . Looks like I need some sort of clamp. Or why not hammer a screw driver into the old filter and get it off this way? Nope no joy here - so much pushing and pulling later and the filter is holier than the Pope and the bloody thing still wont come off and I'm covered in oil. So forced to concede defeat it's a trip to Halfords. But hold on a sec. How am I going to get there idiot, the car has no oil in and the wife's at work? Ah, but there's the bus right! This would be a good idea if I hadn't have jacked the car up so bloody close to the open garage that I can't leave the house cos I can't close the garage door. Going to have to wait till the wife gets back from work but guess what she's gone round to her friends straight from work and has her phone off. She arrived home at 7pm by which time said Halfords is shut. Bugger. Time taken for oil change - 1 weekend Idiot lesson 1 - Make sure you have the correct tools for the job before you start Idiot lesson 2 - Don't park too close to your garage Air-Filter change and stubby aerial Even I can do this. Stubby aerial from Redline Steve - screw off with the old and on with the new and done. Replacing OEM filter with Pop Charger from Tarmac. No problems. Until I dropped the screws into the engine bay which managed to settle out of reach on the engine undertray. So car on jacks again whilst I had the ball-aching pleasure of removing the undertray - twice. Idiot lesson 3 - Don't loose your screws Idiot lesson 4 - If removing the engine tray do not re-attach until you are sure there is zero possibility of having to remove it again. Drive belt change Buoyed by the success of the stubby aerial and air filter I thought I would give this a go the following weekend as I noticed the belts seemed to be cracking. I purchsed the belts from Zmanalex and followed a guide on the forum which I am sure was very spot on but unfortunately I only got to part 2 (un-doing the pulley nuts). Unfortunately whilst one of the pulley nuts loosened with a fair bit of pressure the 2nd one was pretty solid. Putting all my He-Man strength behind the ratchett it slipped and my right hand collided with the engine block. In true "man" fashion I carried on with my efforts to undo to no avail. A trip to Halfords was called for again for a different tool (they must have something that will help). I took the wifes car and drove to Halfords but the wrench I bought did not help. By now my hand was getting pretty black and felt "weird" so it was off to casualty to have it checked out. Turned out I had broken the Metacarpal of my right hand which was a bit of a bummer. Mr and Mrs Keyser came to my rescue with the drive belt http://www.350z-uk.c...renewing-belts/ A few days later I came home from work to find a penalty notice waiting for me for that wasted trip to Halfords. In my urgency I had taken my often used short-cut around the back of Asda, but unbeknownst to me this was now a camera enforced "bus only" road and I owed the Council £60 for my naughtyness. The " Bus...bla..bla..Tw*t " I heard must have been shouts from the driver of the parked bus I overtook. Idiot lesson 5 - Multipoint sockets can round off nuts. 6 points are preferable, especially with stiff nuts Idiot lesson 6 - Don't use bus lanes Idiot lesson 7 - Halfords is not the answer, Halfords is not the answer Spark plugs Now you'd think the drive belt experience would have put me off but if nothing else I am determined. I purchased said plugs from Zmanalex at the same time as the belts but had to wait for my hand to improve before attempting. This was extremely fiddly but all things considered I think it went well. The only issue I had was the socket getting stuck in the cylinder at which point I started having a few flash backs. However a quick trip to Motorbitz (see learnt my lesson no Halfords) and I purchased a different socket. The fact the different socket gave me exactly the same problem I wont dwell on but I did manage to sort eventually. All was good in the world until the next day on the way home from work when the engine management light came on . My previous DIY mechanic experience being what it is I did panic a little when I looked under the bonnet and was sure I could hear hissing where I couldnt before. I thought maybe I had damaged a vacuum/breather pipe when doing the plugs and went to Halfords (I regressed) to see if I could get a similar replacement. Like the idiot I am I thought the pipe was the same size as it did seem to fit but on later inspection it was narrower than the OEM one and was useless really for that reason and the fact I could still hear a hissing noise. As I had now cut the pipe I couldnt take back to Halfords for a refund. At this point I seemed to be hearing all sorts of weird sounds and was going a bit mental. Some sage advise from Zmanalex helped and another trip to the Z-shed sorted me out. I was just being a paranoid idiot. Idiot lesson 8 - Make the hole in the internal rubber of the spark plug socket a little bigger with a screwdrive to ensure the plug comes away ok from the socket when you want. Idiot lesson 9 - Put a bit of tape on the joins of the socket and ratchet/extension so they are a tighter fit. Idiot lesson 10 - Don't panic Idiot lesson 11 - when replacing anything check it fits 1st Wheel spacers After the Vine meet I felt inspired. I hated the look of my wheels after this meet and seeing so many cars with Spacers I just had to get some. Now in theory this is not a hard install. Back ones done easy, all tightend up nicely. Front ones were a little tricky as the wheels kept turning as I was tightening the spacer nuts but sorted none the less. At the back of my mind I did think surely there's something more I should be doing. Went to work next day great no problemo. Bank hol wknd so me and the wife were going out for the day in the Zed. After a short while I started to hear a rubbing noise. This got louder. I pulled over and checked the wheel nuts, whether the arches were rubbing but everything looked okay. Carried on but really getting concerned as it seemed to be getting worse so we turned back. On the way back the steering wheel was vibrating slightly and there was a "clicking" noise coming from the front. TBH I was sh*tting myself. Once home, jacked car up and removed front wheels to find spacers were "just" holding on, they weren't even finger tight . I obviously had not tightened them enough and they had worked loose. Idiot lesson 12 - When fitting spacers to the fronts DO get somebody to hold the brake pedal when you are tightening the nuts. Idiot lesson 13 - Check all spacers after your 1st drive Idiot lesson 14 - Instinct is your friend, if your instinct says you should check something then do Hope you have found this entertaining and please forgive me if I continue to ask stupid questions or ask for help. I am eager to learn and will make mistakes along the way but above all I am an idiot and this is my guide. Cheers Matt Edited May 9, 2013 by Fisherking 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Nice Guide Whats next Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiingsi Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 (edited) Ha good guide I can also relate to this on numerous times. Edited May 9, 2013 by kiingsi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watshot Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 I hope you mean that you had the car on stands, not jacks, when you were rolling around underneath it, or you really are an idiot. Seriously though kids, the supplied jack is for changing a wheel in an emergency, other jacks are for raising the car to get axle stands underneath. I know a guy who has spent several decades in a wheelchair because a car that was only supported by a jack came down on him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Trouser Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Brilliant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherking Posted May 9, 2013 Author Share Posted May 9, 2013 I hope you mean that you had the car on stands, not jacks, when you were rolling around underneath it, or you really are an idiot. Seriously though kids, the supplied jack is for changing a wheel in an emergency, other jacks are for raising the car to get axle stands underneath. I know a guy who has spent several decades in a wheelchair because a car that was only supported by a jack came down on him. Yes I not that much of an idiot that I would think about getting under a car unless on Jacks Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14N Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Thanks for sharing And fair play for attempting some jobs that many would be afraid of even contemplating. It's "having a go" with the help from forums like this and its members that teach us all valuable maintenance lessons. Good luck with your next DIY mod (supercharger is it ) and as the belts lesson showed, don't be afraid to sk for help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Are you related to Ricey / Husky or both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Keep up the good work - if we learn by our mistakes your going to be a genius soon No really it was a great write up and well done for not giving up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinyflier Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 As a founder member of the "Ambition exceeds Ability" club I empathise, sympathise and PMSL at your exploits. David 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cs2000 Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 As a founder member of the "Ambition exceeds Ability" club I empathise, sympathise and PMSL at your exploits. David I think im a member of this too Made me laugh this morning anyway so thanks and at least nothing was permanently damaged in the end ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saihaynes Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 haha quality read, made me chuckle especially the advice about not parking too close to your garage..........been there done that haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobPhoboS Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Just to recap Idiot lesson 1 - Make sure you have the correct tools for the job before you start Idiot lesson 2 - Don't park too close to your garage Idiot lesson 3 - Don't loose your screws Idiot lesson 4 - If removing the engine tray do not re-attach until you are sure there is zero possibility of having to remove it again. Idiot lesson 5 - Multipoint sockets can round off nuts. 6 points are preferable, especially with stiff nuts Idiot lesson 6 - Don't use bus lanes Idiot lesson 7 - Halfords is not the answer, Halfords is not the answer Idiot lesson 8 - Make the hole in the internal rubber of the spark plug socket a little bigger with a screwdrive to ensure the plug comes away ok from the socket when you want. Idiot lesson 9 - Put a bit of tape on the joins of the socket and ratchet/extension so they are a tighter fit. Idiot lesson 10 - Don't panic Idiot lesson 11 - when replacing anything check it fits 1st Idiot lesson 12 - When fitting spacers to the fronts DO get somebody to hold the brake pedal when you are tightening the nuts. Idiot lesson 13 - Check all spacers after your 1st drive Idiot lesson 14 - Instinct is your friend, if your instinct says you should check something then do + see my thread here for some other bits n pieces: http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/69313-handy-tools/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dErZ Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Great reading! top work mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Brilliant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 1. Pay someone else to do anything mechanical, know what you are good at and stick to it.... I am not good mechanically 2. If in doubt see point 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bems Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Brilliant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aliensurfer Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Agreed with SMD. You've just convinced me to never touch my car and become best of friends with Dave at Lockwood and Greenwood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Agreed with SMD. I need to sit down after reading that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 My last three mechanical efforts have resulted in (this was all on a 200SX BTW): Had to get a temp sensor on an inlet manifold, unfortunately it was two weeks from taking off to refitting so forgot what pipe went where. RESULT: Blew head gasket without actually moving car Relocated wiring on inner wing to stop it rubbing against tyre RESULT: Having forgotten to disconnect battery, set fire to wiring loom Decided to tear down subframes from car I was breaking myself. RESULT: After 2.5 hours of struggling managed to remove one spacer, one camber arm and one steering arm. Oh, and broke the other steering arm, one of my shed walls, two screwdrivers, most of my knuckles ........ MORAL: After getting hold of an impact gun and doing it in about 10 minutes, Id support idiot lesson 1 Ive previously changed engines, gearboxes and allsorts but think Im going to leave it to the pros these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csscallum Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Great read whilst sat at my desk at work. You are my hero and inspiration. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke0549 Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 I didn't tighten my spacers correctly..... my wheel came off. I now have to buy a new wing. Fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
370Ad Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Brilliant read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattross1313 Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Good write up, good tip on the wheel spacers and having a friend press the brakes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flex Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Another top tip, if you need to, seek advice/refuge in the zedshed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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