1st oil change frustration
08-18-2014, 09:41 AM
#16
Rennlist Member
Sorry, can't agree with that. Getting your hands dirty doesn't necessarily make you an enthusiast. I know plenty of car guys who go to the dealer simply for convenience, Most new cars are overly complex and no longer lend themselves to the home mechanic.
You guys crack me up here. All this fuss about an oil change? I guess I grew up in a different era when real car enthusiasts did their own work up to the limits of their tools and capabilities. You get to KNOW your car when you do things yourself, its part of the intimacy of being a true enthusiast. Running the car to the dealer for every little thing - any car - shows you are an owner, but you're not a real car guy. I have never taken any of my vehicles into a dealership for an oil change - EVER (unless it was a freebie). Sure, I can afford to do so and pay someone to do it if I want, but i enjoy getting under the car (or motorcycle) and taking it apart to do things, it leads to a sense of satisfaction. You should try it sometime, start with the easy stuff like an oil change.
Without the do-it-yourselfers, all the good info you get on forums like this would slow to a trickle. The enthusiasts are the ones that really power sites like this, and they're the ones who can tell you that 'this - or that' is how you tweak your car because they have done it in their own garage. There is much fun to be had jacking up a car on a Friday night, having a pal or two come over, pulling out your Snap-On sockets and you swap in an exhaust while having a few beers and some Doritos in the garage. That's good stuff.....that's the true enthusiast.
Unfortunately, right now all my vehicles I own are 2014 models. That means they don't need any work so I'm often looking around for something to go wrench on and that gets me going over to the John Deere Garden Tractor or the Honda SnowBlower I have to play on, but I'd rather work on cars.
Try it. You will get a sense of self-satisfaction of a job you did yourself, and you are not going to screw anything up.
Without the do-it-yourselfers, all the good info you get on forums like this would slow to a trickle. The enthusiasts are the ones that really power sites like this, and they're the ones who can tell you that 'this - or that' is how you tweak your car because they have done it in their own garage. There is much fun to be had jacking up a car on a Friday night, having a pal or two come over, pulling out your Snap-On sockets and you swap in an exhaust while having a few beers and some Doritos in the garage. That's good stuff.....that's the true enthusiast.
Unfortunately, right now all my vehicles I own are 2014 models. That means they don't need any work so I'm often looking around for something to go wrench on and that gets me going over to the John Deere Garden Tractor or the Honda SnowBlower I have to play on, but I'd rather work on cars.
Try it. You will get a sense of self-satisfaction of a job you did yourself, and you are not going to screw anything up.
08-18-2014, 09:52 AM
#18
Drifting
+1 on drcollie. What he said.
However, not everyone has a garage or even a driveway to do maintenance, and some people are understandably intimidated by working on a $100K+ car, especially if they've never done any DIY before. For those folks, sure, just take it to a dealer or a good independent. Do not take it to a tire store or one of those quick lube places.
And as mentioned before, make sure that they don't overfill it. These engines need 45 minutes to drain, and most places won't wait that long. That can lead to overfilling.
Overfilling is bad, 'K?
However, not everyone has a garage or even a driveway to do maintenance, and some people are understandably intimidated by working on a $100K+ car, especially if they've never done any DIY before. For those folks, sure, just take it to a dealer or a good independent. Do not take it to a tire store or one of those quick lube places.
And as mentioned before, make sure that they don't overfill it. These engines need 45 minutes to drain, and most places won't wait that long. That can lead to overfilling.
Overfilling is bad, 'K?
08-18-2014, 10:12 AM
#19
Drifting
I recently bought a 2010 Boxster S from a self-described motorsports enthusiast/"Porsche Guy" who had put 80k miles on it in 4 years, yet when I started asking questions as I fumbled for unfamiliar mechanisms to finish the PPI checklist, admitted that he had never actually seen his engine! Sometimes I wonder about "Porsche Guys" 
You can't ever really know these cars until you wrench on them. I can't blame people for being a bit apprehensive, though; Porsche makes some aspects rather unnecessarily complicated. I mean, would it have killed them to add a friggen dipstick? And the 991 air filter... wow. I'd never pay dealer service rates, though; screw that- go see a specialist indie instead. At the end of the day, you must remember- it may be expensive and from a fancy marque, but it's still just a car you don't have to treat any different than a Ford or Toyota.
You can't ever really know these cars until you wrench on them. I can't blame people for being a bit apprehensive, though; Porsche makes some aspects rather unnecessarily complicated. I mean, would it have killed them to add a friggen dipstick? And the 991 air filter... wow. I'd never pay dealer service rates, though; screw that- go see a specialist indie instead. At the end of the day, you must remember- it may be expensive and from a fancy marque, but it's still just a car you don't have to treat any different than a Ford or Toyota.
08-18-2014, 10:14 AM
#20
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Let me give you two little examples, and for those of you with freshly manicured nails that don't like to get soiled, I fully understand.
I spent all day yesterday painting my garage - and tall ceilings are a bitch with a roller. It's getting fully renovated and will have a Racedeck floor I will install by the end of this week. 14 hours painting I was pooped out by 8 p.m. My son and his buddy, both 21 years old, showed up about 8:30 p.m. and the low beam headlight was out in his buddy's 2004 Nissan Altima. They picked up a bulb at Autozone but couldn't figure out how to install it and then got into the owner's manual where it said it was a Dealer Service Only item that required the removal of the front bumper cover (not kidding!). Long faces, the kid who owns the car is a poor college student and has no spare cash. I pulled myself up off the sofa and said "let's go have a look". Hmmm...no access to the back of the headlight housing - nice design, Nissan! Well, I bet if I pull that coolant tank and just wiggle it out of the way I can get to it. A couple of bolts and its off the mount, pull the windshield washer filler plug for another inch of room and there was the access. 15 minutes to do it, lots of money saved for the kid.
A few months ago my daughter's boyfriend who lives in another state was visiting with his 2003 Acura and it wouldn't start and was dead in the water at the shopping center. He was in a huge panic about it, and called his father who said 'Tow the car back home and we will take it to the dealer'. That's an hour an a half away! Huge tow bill and this kid has no money either paying off $ 80K worth of student loans . It was a Sunday afternoon and I went to the shopping center after pulling the battery out of my truck, tested the car with the extra battery and determined it has to be the starter. I got a new starter at the auto parts store, grabbed a few tools and installed it in the shopping center parking lot in 40 minutes and he was on his way again.
I did get my hands a little dirty on both jobs, though. And the kids are impressed. LOL
P.S Porsches are one of the easiest cars on the planet to change the oil on. You want a challenge, do a full oil service on a an Aston Martin or KTM 990 motorcycle.....
I spent all day yesterday painting my garage - and tall ceilings are a bitch with a roller. It's getting fully renovated and will have a Racedeck floor I will install by the end of this week. 14 hours painting I was pooped out by 8 p.m. My son and his buddy, both 21 years old, showed up about 8:30 p.m. and the low beam headlight was out in his buddy's 2004 Nissan Altima. They picked up a bulb at Autozone but couldn't figure out how to install it and then got into the owner's manual where it said it was a Dealer Service Only item that required the removal of the front bumper cover (not kidding!). Long faces, the kid who owns the car is a poor college student and has no spare cash. I pulled myself up off the sofa and said "let's go have a look". Hmmm...no access to the back of the headlight housing - nice design, Nissan! Well, I bet if I pull that coolant tank and just wiggle it out of the way I can get to it. A couple of bolts and its off the mount, pull the windshield washer filler plug for another inch of room and there was the access. 15 minutes to do it, lots of money saved for the kid.
A few months ago my daughter's boyfriend who lives in another state was visiting with his 2003 Acura and it wouldn't start and was dead in the water at the shopping center. He was in a huge panic about it, and called his father who said 'Tow the car back home and we will take it to the dealer'. That's an hour an a half away! Huge tow bill and this kid has no money either paying off $ 80K worth of student loans . It was a Sunday afternoon and I went to the shopping center after pulling the battery out of my truck, tested the car with the extra battery and determined it has to be the starter. I got a new starter at the auto parts store, grabbed a few tools and installed it in the shopping center parking lot in 40 minutes and he was on his way again.
I did get my hands a little dirty on both jobs, though. And the kids are impressed. LOL
P.S Porsches are one of the easiest cars on the planet to change the oil on. You want a challenge, do a full oil service on a an Aston Martin or KTM 990 motorcycle.....
08-18-2014, 10:24 AM
#21
Drifting
The oil change part is easy. It's the part that I have to idle the car for 10 minutes before the e-dipstick will tell me if I dangerously overfilled or underfilled it that I don't like. My wife and I recently spent 3 evenings changing the front sway bar which required dropping the entire subframe, steering rack and all; all the while I'm cursing because I know full well this is a 1-hr job on a 996 (and 15 minute job on a miata).
Porsche did get some stuff right, though- Porsche brakes are not only some of the best performing brakes, but also, I daresay, the easiest in the industry to change pads on. Well, until 2013 at least. Do you have to remove the caliper now on your 991?
Porsche did get some stuff right, though- Porsche brakes are not only some of the best performing brakes, but also, I daresay, the easiest in the industry to change pads on. Well, until 2013 at least. Do you have to remove the caliper now on your 991?
08-18-2014, 11:56 AM
#23
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IMHO, to each his own. I was initially scared of changing the oil/filter myself. I also considered the fact that it would be nice to have rock solid proof that the oil/filter was changed correctly in case there was a major oil related(burned out bearing, sludge etc) warranty issue with the engine later. Having that invoice from your local Porsche dealer would 100% nail that issue in your favor. Finally, I was concerned because of some internet disinformation about having to remove the spoiler/wing to access the filter.
In the end, I told myself "screw it, I am going to replace the damn oil and filter" rather than spending time groveling with my dealer for a convenient "while you wait" service appointment or waiting weeks for a loaner car. I discovered that the job was easier on the 991 than on my prior vehicles(mostly BMW's). The worst part was wrestling with the cheap plastic engine cover. (Would it kill Porsche to at least have the engine cover attached with some screwed on fittings?) The cool part was that I did not even have to use ramps. I just positioned the car at the top of my steep driveway.
In the end, I told myself "screw it, I am going to replace the damn oil and filter" rather than spending time groveling with my dealer for a convenient "while you wait" service appointment or waiting weeks for a loaner car. I discovered that the job was easier on the 991 than on my prior vehicles(mostly BMW's). The worst part was wrestling with the cheap plastic engine cover. (Would it kill Porsche to at least have the engine cover attached with some screwed on fittings?) The cool part was that I did not even have to use ramps. I just positioned the car at the top of my steep driveway.
08-18-2014, 01:25 PM
#24
Racer
One of the obviously way down the list of deciding factors on law school or medical school was my love of digging weekend grease from under my fingernails until Tuesday or Wednesday of each week.
Doctors need much cleaner hands . . . . hence my career in law
Doctors need much cleaner hands . . . . hence my career in law
08-18-2014, 02:55 PM
#25
Drifting
If you're still not sure, take it (the car) over to drcollie's place in Virginia. Bring beer and cheetos. If you're in NC, you can bring it to my place but I only drink dark beer and I prefer dry roasted peanuts.
Don't even think about showing up with that low salt crap.
08-18-2014, 02:56 PM
#26
Drifting
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08-18-2014, 03:15 PM
#29
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I just spoke with my official local service center and they said I bought the car in March and I don't need to come in until 10,000 miles (only at 3500 now) or March 2015. He mentioned something about how that can be reset at his dealership and he said there is a glitch regarding this in the system. Maybe it has to do with when the computer was first turned on or something. He got my vin # and checked it out.
08-18-2014, 03:23 PM
#30
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My best DIY story (one that is actually true):
32 years ago I'm on the beach in Ft. Lauderdale and there's a striking young woman in a very nicely filled out bikini sitting in a chair in the sand. Like many guys that day, I approach her and am blown off. That's pretty typical for a day at the beach though and I figured I'd get shot down before I even spoke, but what the heck. She was a little outside my league if you know what I mean. After a couple hours she packs up to leave and I head over the parking lot as well to grab a cold brew out of the trunk. She gets into a blue Triumph Spitfire and it won't start. I can hear it cranking but it won't light off. So I approach her again and say:
"Having Car Trouble?"
"Yes, it won' start - do you know where there is a phone around here so I can call my mother?" (this was in the days before there were cell phones)
"Mind if I have a look under the hood? I'm pretty handy with cars."
"Go ahead" she said.
So I pop the bonnet and having owned an MGB before I know its the points - because these Leyland cars are just old tractor engines and thats about all that ever keeps them from running, and I also know I can clean in them in about one minute. I decide to take my time and not rush...get to know this girl a little, she's a captive audience now. I tell her I need some help and have her hold the Distributor Cap while I fuss around in the points and take much longer than need be while we chat, at least 10 minutes. Cleaned the points with a white business card, popped the cap back on and told her to try it. It fired right off and settled into a nice idle. She thanked me very much.
"You know you kind of blew me off out there on the beach when I was just trying to talk to you" I said
"Yes, I didn't mean to be rude but I get tired of guys hitting on me when I just want to read my book on the beach".
"That's cool, I get that. So, would you be up for a dinner out with your hero rescue mechanic?" I asked. She laughed and said 'OK', and I'm still married to that beach babe today.
Years later the conversation came up on why we married one another. She said "You weren't the most handsome guy (I beg to differ!) but I always liked men who can fix things and can make me laugh".
I'd don't think I'd have got that first date if I told her to call the dealer.....lol
32 years ago I'm on the beach in Ft. Lauderdale and there's a striking young woman in a very nicely filled out bikini sitting in a chair in the sand. Like many guys that day, I approach her and am blown off. That's pretty typical for a day at the beach though and I figured I'd get shot down before I even spoke, but what the heck. She was a little outside my league if you know what I mean. After a couple hours she packs up to leave and I head over the parking lot as well to grab a cold brew out of the trunk. She gets into a blue Triumph Spitfire and it won't start. I can hear it cranking but it won't light off. So I approach her again and say:
"Having Car Trouble?"
"Yes, it won' start - do you know where there is a phone around here so I can call my mother?" (this was in the days before there were cell phones)
"Mind if I have a look under the hood? I'm pretty handy with cars."
"Go ahead" she said.
So I pop the bonnet and having owned an MGB before I know its the points - because these Leyland cars are just old tractor engines and thats about all that ever keeps them from running, and I also know I can clean in them in about one minute. I decide to take my time and not rush...get to know this girl a little, she's a captive audience now. I tell her I need some help and have her hold the Distributor Cap while I fuss around in the points and take much longer than need be while we chat, at least 10 minutes. Cleaned the points with a white business card, popped the cap back on and told her to try it. It fired right off and settled into a nice idle. She thanked me very much.
"You know you kind of blew me off out there on the beach when I was just trying to talk to you" I said
"Yes, I didn't mean to be rude but I get tired of guys hitting on me when I just want to read my book on the beach".
"That's cool, I get that. So, would you be up for a dinner out with your hero rescue mechanic?" I asked. She laughed and said 'OK', and I'm still married to that beach babe today.
Years later the conversation came up on why we married one another. She said "You weren't the most handsome guy (I beg to differ!) but I always liked men who can fix things and can make me laugh".
I'd don't think I'd have got that first date if I told her to call the dealer.....lol