Just an idea

Inspired by Al's comments elsewhere about not being able to do basic maintenance and a bunch of guys on another forum who actually rent a unit together. Is there any mileage in having an occasional Saturday morning workshop arrangement where the clueless and feeble can be guided through doing basic stuff like oil changes by those who do that kind of thing anyway.

No idea how or where (I've got the tools but not much space) but I thought I'd float the idea.

[steveisfrowning]

i can teach anybody to replace a stat


on a 1.8 156 2004 twinny




in grey

Originally Posted by steveisfrowning

i can teach anybody to replace a stat


on a 1.8 156 2004 twinny




in grey

It's the same on red ones I've heard!

[steveisfrowning]

not risking it

[GhostyDog]

Originally Posted by steveisfrowning

not risking it

silly bugger

[steveisfrowning]

seriously it's a good idea



we could all chip in and buy a couple of new stats and have a "stat off" contest in a car park



me in one corner, assisted by Roswell

Smaky, supported by David c in the other

Originally Posted by steveisfrowning

seriously it's a good idea



we could all chip in and buy a couple of new stats and have a "stat off" contest in a car park



me in one corner, assisted by Roswell

Smaky, supported by David c in the other

And the rest of us chucking water balloons and stuff.

[Gaz]

i can teach anyone to do a V6 clutch change in more time over a weekend than is strictly necessary

[ACAPULCO AL]

i think it's a cracking idea. i'm not REALLY that cack-handed, it's i've just never been shown how to do stuff. i'd love to be able to do simple stuff like oil changes, changing brake pads, air filter etc

[Rikster74]

Cracking idea as I have no clue on anything mechanical. Maf replacement would be useful, replacing break discs and pads etc... But that's coz I am a numpty

[Gaz]

i can talk through/show people how to do most of the simpler things

[1of1]

Great idea - I liked the one of hiring a 'lift' but the cost of doing so made it unfeasible

[steveisfrowning]

Originally Posted by Gaz

i can talk through/show people how to do most of the simpler things

like breathing and eating

Originally Posted by steveisfrowning

like breathing and eating

As long as it involves cake!

[Gaz]

Swines

[Mr Dunamis]

Sounds good. I find the biggest disadvantage with an Alfa is that you cant get Haynes manual; the only jobs I do are ones I know that I can do without a workshop manual eg oil change ie basic servicing, discs and pads etc. I would like to have the confidence to do driveshafts, cam belt etc but am afraid of having to abandon the job halfway through and be left with a pile of bits and pieces

[steveisfrowning]

I'm going to do my wiper motor soon - will take pics of the long hard slog and eventual failure

[wayne-dear]

Originally Posted by steveisfrowning

I'm going to do my wiper motor soon - will take pics of the long hard slog and eventual failure

I have done wiper motors on GTV/146/155
Not to hard at all, while you are in there check that the central drain is clear..
Remove wiper arms, mark the positions first, remove plastic covers, then it should be 4 bolts (ish) and motor/linkages are out..

[steveisfrowning]

Originally Posted by wayne-dear

I have done wiper motors on GTV/146/155
Not to hard at all, while you are in there check that the central drain is clear..
Remove wiper arms, mark the positions first, remove plastic covers, then it should be 4 bolts (ish) and motor/linkages are out..

quite looking forward at it - will be careful and slow.....don't want the wipers fitted wrong and when i switch them on send them through the bonnet

[Chuffy]

I replaced the wiper motor and mechanism on my 147 last year after the standard drivers side joint failure. It's honestly dead easy.

[159_kid]

i'd be up for this? Not sure we could make it economically viable thought? Unless somebody knows a garage owner with a couple of ramps he wouldnt mind renting out for a day....

My trolley jack and axle stands on a sloping driveway arn't what you'd call a safe set-up

[coyotes_uk]

This is a great idea, other than the basic keeping levels topped up im a bit of a dunce mechanically! So you can put me down as intrested!

[Chuffy]

It would be ideal if somebody has access to facilities that are not used at the weekend. Otherwise I'm not sure how sustainable it would be.

It's a great idea though to have group servicing sessions where people can come along and learn the ropes, or service their own car with like minded people able to provide support.

A few months ago, 1 guy from a landrover club i'm in wanted to strip & scrap his discovery and swap the transfer box and gear box into another members range rover. Another member worked in a workshop that was extremely well fitted out. It's amazing what you can achieve in a weekend, when there are 6 of you, everybody brings their tools and you have a warehouse workshop with a gas cutter, air impact tools, a fork lift, ceiling hoist and hot water pressure washer!

[rgwm]

There is a firm in Darwen, near Blackburn who've emailed me a few times...

Autopia Service Centre / North Wests First DIY Workshop

which offer the hire of service bays with or without lifts..

Could be worth a try.....

For most Alfa maintenance I'm always happy to offer advice based on my totally unqualified experience of 50+ years messing with motors, including 13 years running a general car breakers and the last five years as an Alfa specialist breaker...and occasional mender!

[Happy Man]

I work round the corner from you and I've not been invited for a brew and a chat yet