Service my own car?

[ando]

Hi Guys,

I have a Cupra R that needs a service but money is extremely short this month, has anyone serviced their own car here, whats involved? Is it worth trying to do myself? I top up on engine oil a good bit but thats as advanced as I get Would it be worth the hassle or wait another month to get it properly serviced?

 

[lordgibbness]

Depends on the service. If it's just oil and filters then it's do-able if you can get under the car. If it's brake fluid and sparks etc. you might prefer a garage to do it.

 

[Jimski]

Oil filter, oil and sump plug is a 30 - 35 quid job using SEAT parts and Mobil 1 Super S oil.



Jimski

 

[Hilla LCR]

Hmm I really need to do this too, but the oil filter looks quite hard to get to. Any decent guides knocking about?

 

[Jimski]

I always attack it from underneath with a big set of grips and then do the rest from above, not too hard really,


Jimski

 

[Hilla LCR]

Thanks for the advice dude!

 

[dave_ph]

the oil filter looks harder than it is. I managed to get to it pretty easily from above, i had a proper tool for removing oil filters, but even without it was pretty straight forward

 

[JimCupra]

Going to do the oil and filter on my Cupra on Friday, is a new sump plug required?
On previous cars Ive just put it back in after....??

 

[Hamzilla]

How do you get to the spark plugs as they are under the coil packs?

 

[Jimski]

I change the sump plug on every other service, however this is just personal preference, they are "stretch" bolts though.


Jimski

 

[james walker]

How do you get to the spark plugs as they are under the coil packs?

take the coilpacks out?????

 

[JimCupra]

Cheers Jimski, but what do you mean by Stretch bolts? Is this something to do with the expansion etc with heat?

 

[Jimski]

Basically, these bolts like others, are supposed to be "torqued" up, under this tension, they flex/stretch if you follow, to remain tight.

All in tiny amounts and its all SEAT recommendation stuff, but for the sake of £1.50 you dont want half a sump bolt left in there, so every other service has always done me fine. I know some that dont even bother!

The dog bone mount bolts are stretch bolts, but iv never changed mine.


Jimski

 

[james walker]

stretch are 1 time use only bolts

dont think the sump plug is actually a stretch bolt though. recommended to change, due to heat of oil on the threads.

can be used again if its it good nick.

but as said for 1.50 just change it.

 

[JimCupra]

Right, with you....cheers. If I get the chance I shall take a trip to the dealer then.
Just gotta get my oil filter now...Halfrauds didnt have any, but did get 6l of Mobil 1 for £38...result.

 

[Jimski]

Stealers will have stock of filters, think its like 9 quid for a filter and plug mate.


Jimski

 

[james walker]

should have just ordered it all form gsf online, free delivery aswell.

but as said, dealers will stock all service parts.

 

[Hamzilla]

take the coilpacks out?????

Haha but do you just pull on the coil packs to lift them up and out or is a special tool needed?

 

[nutter_engineer]

Haha but do you just pull on the coil packs to lift them up and out or is a special tool needed?

just pull them out, no special tool is needed. I just did this the other day, it takes a bit of time as there a few bits in the way that you'll need to undo to get access to two of them.

 

[LEE69]

or is a special tool needed?

Yes, your hand.