Whats the best automotive tip you have?

[IH8HSV]

Im interested in hearing the best single tip you have been given in repairing or servicing your car.

Tips from the forum are preferred, however any other tips are welcome - as we are all here to learn...

My best tip: Putting a hose through the bung in the spare wheel well to fill
up the diff oil in a BA. - AFF

Im sure there are many more invaluable tips : :

[scozzman]

Cool,

My best repair tip was with my ED falcon.

I broke the top timing belt tensioner while changing my head gasket.

A AFF member suggested I screw the tensioner back together with a small metal plate and screws.

40000km later and still going strong. Great tip!!!

[Dezza]

To loosen the center bolt in the harmonic balancer, put a socket on it, then a long breaker bar sitting on the passenger side chassis rail, then quickly turn the car over. As the crank rotates it will crack the nut making it a lot easier to remove. This worked like a charm!

[IH8HSV]

Originally Posted by Dezza!

To loosen the center bolt in the harmonic balancer, put a socket on it, then a long breaker bar sitting on the passenger side chassis rail, then quickly turn the car over. As the crank rotates it will crack the nut making it a lot easier to remove. This worked like a charm!

Great tip Dezza!

[gtfpv]

wear your seatbelt, make sure your headrest is in the right position , dont put children in the front seat ( especially if there are air bags) untill age 14- 15. check your tyres and oil . be insured.
thats it.

[GT0132]

never throw good money at cars that have passed their use by date.....get rid of them

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by GT0132

never throw good money at cars that have passed their use by date.....get rid of them

Learnt that the hard way just recently.......

Very true!

Oh... JOIN A FORUM

[Grunter]

If you're expecting to spending a particular amount on fixing/modifying your car, use the below for reference.

(Estimated Amount x 3) + Lower Your Expectation
------------------------------------------------------------ = The Real Cost
Ramifications (as a measure of grief from Wife/Gilrfriend)

[Iggypoppin']

Don't finance a car under 25. Pay it outright or go without.

[Teflon Turbo]

have full comp insurance, no matter what car coz if you have a stack (knock on wood) and even if it's not your fault, i guarantee you, you will still be out of pocket.

[Dezza]

Originally Posted by Teflon Turbo

have full comp insurance, no matter what car coz if you have a stack (knock on wood) and even if it's not your fault, i guarantee you, you will still be out of pocket.

I doubt it. Have you seen the going rate of an EA Falcon? Full comp for a year is pretty close to what the EA's worth. I've only got 3rd party because it's not my car I'm worried about, it's what I hit.

[Ghiadude]

Stay away from cars and girls, theyre both money pits.

[1LOUDXFUTE]

Originally Posted by Ghiadude

Stay away from cars and girls, theyre both money pits.

x2

[Burnout]

Originally Posted by Ghiadude

Stay away from cars and girls, theyre both money pits.

Originally Posted by 1LOUDXFUTE

x2

You forgot boats - Bring on another Thousand

[LTDterri]

Originally Posted by Ghiadude

Stay away from cars and girls, theyre both money pits.

GOLD

[ILLaViTaR]

Instead of lining up the damn clutch by eye just shove the damn box in, support it and tighten the bolts (if you don't have a spare input shaft).

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by ILLaViTaR

Instead of lining up the damn clutch by eye just shove the damn box in, support it and tighten the bolts (if you don't have a spare input shaft).

Or, buy one of the little plastic dummy input shaft tools from an auto parts store...

[Auslandau]

Put the sump plug back in before filling with new oil ....

& be good to your children ...... one day they are the ones who decide which home

Originally Posted by nugget378

Or, buy one of the little plastic dummy input shaft tools from an auto parts store...

After market wheel and kit $180.00
Super Cheap socket - $12.00
Wheel remover - $9.00 too expensive
Breaking your nose in front of your mates .... priceless



| [/url] |

[geckoGT]

Don't just collect the damn thing, drive it!

[MAD]

Drive like nobody else knows how, always expect that car ahead of you WILL pull in front of you.

[rag top]

Stay away from your local ford dealer for servicing...

[Wally]

If you are wrecking yard whore like me, a cordless rattle gun is invaluable. Even L20b head bolts are no match for 18volts of manly impact powa...

[mafiastafcar]

Originally Posted by rag top

Stay away from your local ford dealer for servicing...

+1

[Streets]

Leave the nut on the bolt when you're going to pull a steering wheel off unless you want a broken nose.

[Bad Bird]

Originally Posted by Streets

Leave the nut on the bolt when you're going to pull a steering wheel off unless you want a broken nose.

Oh god, I did that a few years ago. Except that it was my front teeth. That was not a fun experience.

Tip:

It doesn't matter how good your welding is if the car is now on fire. Just ask me how I know...

[GTPete]

This is not completley safe so dont try this at home.....If you need a magnetic scewdriver and you dont have one grab some insulated electrical wire 3mm or so diameter, you need around 20 cm in length. Wrap it around the scredriver blade, bear each end of the insulation so the wire is exposed touch one end to the posative battery terminal and the other end of the wire to the negative terminal. Instant magnetic srewdriver!

Car wont start cant hear the fuel pump in the tank when ignition is tuned on or cranking, give the bottom of the fuel tank a belt with your hand or a rubber mallett, while cranking the engine.

Same goes for the alternator if it stops charging give it a light tap with a hammer.

If your carby is flooding due to a stuck needle and seat, run the carby completely out of fuel as the float level drops the needle should open enough to let the blockage pass into the fuel bowl.

If your fuel tank leaks and you need a temporary way to seal it get hold of a block of soap, break some off and cover the hole, the soap will act as a sealant.

If your clutch starting your car dont forget to turn the ignition on first.

If you break down on the freeway or a main road, use your hazard lights before you do anything else.

Pump the brake pedal after changing brake pads, before you drive out of the garage.

[1LOUDXFUTE]

Originally Posted by GTPete

This is not completley safe so dont try this at home.....If you need a magnetic scewdriver and you dont have one grab some insulated electrical wire 3mm or so diameter, you need around 20 cm in length. Wrap it around the scredriver blade, bear each end of the insulation so the wire is exposed touch one end to the posative battery terminal and the other end of the wire to the negative terminal. Instant magnetic srewdriver!

Car wont start cant hear the fuel pump in the tank when ignition is tuned on or cranking, give the bottom of the fuel tank a belt with your hand or a rubber mallett, while cranking the engine.

Same goes for the alternator if it stops charging give it a light tap with a hammer.

If your carby is flooding due to a stuck needle and seat, run the carby completely out of fuel as the float level drops the needle should open enough to let the blockage pass into the fuel bowl.

If your fuel tank leaks and you need a temporary way to seal it get hold of a block of soap, break some off and cover the hole, the soap will act as a sealant.

If your clutch starting your car dont forget to turn the ignition on first.

If you break down on the freeway or a main road, use your hazard lights before you do anything else.

Pump the brake pedal after changing brake pads, before you drive out of the garage.

not safe? you got that right!! hahahaha

[xbgs351]

Originally Posted by Bad Bird

Oh god, I did that a few years ago. Except that it was my front teeth. That was not a fun experience.

Tip:

It doesn't matter how good your welding is if the car is now on fire. Just ask me how I know...

Were you just wrenching on it, or were you using a puller?

[Bad Bird]

Originally Posted by xbgs351

Were you just wrenching on it, or were you using a puller?

It wasn't the XB. This was a very long time ago, and on a Torana. I learned my lesson.

[Lost Down Under]

Originally Posted by Streets

Leave the nut on the bolt when you're going to pull a steering wheel off unless you want a broken nose.

That's gold
Have to say that you'll only do it once. I know I did!