Saving about $750 this week - DIY!
#1
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Saving about $750 this week - DIY!
In about 2 1/2 hours this morning, I saved about $300 changing my own oil and cabin air filters.
This Saturday my 6 year old and I are going to change the engine air filters and save about $400 more!
I can't believe how easy it was. You should seriously try it. I got all the necessary parts from Amazon, Pelican, and Walmart for a total of about $250. This includes 10qts oil, oil filter, crush washer, frunk pollen filter, cabin pollen filter, two engine air filters, oil drain container, 8mm hex socket, and a 36mm socket for the oil filter. I already had a jack and stands, torque wrench, and basic socket set.
Getting these done at a dealership would easily cost >$1000, and even an indy would cost about $800, I'm guessing.
The only real pain in the butt was the interior pollen filter, under the passenger side dash board. You kind of have to contort yourself under there upside down to find and remove the screws holding the foam liner in place. But once you get that out, the filter replaces in a snap.
Over the last few years with my 997 and now 991, my wrenching capabilities have gone from complete novice to being able to change out wheels, brake pads, rotors, brake fluid, oil, filters, and on Saturday, engine air filters. Basically the only maintenance items left for the 4yr service are the spark plugs and a bunch of inspections. I'm going to have my indy do the plugs in the spring - that's where I'm currently drawing the line.
Try some DIY projects - you can do it!
This Saturday my 6 year old and I are going to change the engine air filters and save about $400 more!
I can't believe how easy it was. You should seriously try it. I got all the necessary parts from Amazon, Pelican, and Walmart for a total of about $250. This includes 10qts oil, oil filter, crush washer, frunk pollen filter, cabin pollen filter, two engine air filters, oil drain container, 8mm hex socket, and a 36mm socket for the oil filter. I already had a jack and stands, torque wrench, and basic socket set.
Getting these done at a dealership would easily cost >$1000, and even an indy would cost about $800, I'm guessing.
The only real pain in the butt was the interior pollen filter, under the passenger side dash board. You kind of have to contort yourself under there upside down to find and remove the screws holding the foam liner in place. But once you get that out, the filter replaces in a snap.
Over the last few years with my 997 and now 991, my wrenching capabilities have gone from complete novice to being able to change out wheels, brake pads, rotors, brake fluid, oil, filters, and on Saturday, engine air filters. Basically the only maintenance items left for the 4yr service are the spark plugs and a bunch of inspections. I'm going to have my indy do the plugs in the spring - that's where I'm currently drawing the line.
Try some DIY projects - you can do it!
#2
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As 991's get older, we will see more and more owner-wrenching, rather than what color to order your deviated stitching. I'm all about working on your own vehicles, too.
Couple of days ago my wife's Audi SQ5 (2014) which recently came off warranty threw a check engine light. I pulled out my OBD-2 Scanner and plugged it in (you need a scanner if your don't have one), got the fault reading and it was "Cylinder # 6 Misfire". It was due for plugs so I changed all six ($ 47) and bought a new Coil Pack for the # 6 cylinder ($ 27) and did an oil service while I had the hood open (Mobil 1 and Filter $ 58). Cleared the check engine light with the scanner and it ran perfectly. That as $ 132 out of pocket for what would have been a $ 1,000 at the Audi Dealer. Plus I have the satisfaction of working on my own vehicle which helps me know the systems.
Plug change on a 991.1 is not hard, I'll be doing mine this Spring at 24K miles when the garage floor gets a bit warmer. Go for it.
Couple of days ago my wife's Audi SQ5 (2014) which recently came off warranty threw a check engine light. I pulled out my OBD-2 Scanner and plugged it in (you need a scanner if your don't have one), got the fault reading and it was "Cylinder # 6 Misfire". It was due for plugs so I changed all six ($ 47) and bought a new Coil Pack for the # 6 cylinder ($ 27) and did an oil service while I had the hood open (Mobil 1 and Filter $ 58). Cleared the check engine light with the scanner and it ran perfectly. That as $ 132 out of pocket for what would have been a $ 1,000 at the Audi Dealer. Plus I have the satisfaction of working on my own vehicle which helps me know the systems.
Plug change on a 991.1 is not hard, I'll be doing mine this Spring at 24K miles when the garage floor gets a bit warmer. Go for it.
#3
Not only did u save some bucks but more importantly your son will appreciate the ride and not to mention his 529 getting healthier , when can I have you son
do my oil service lol lol
do my oil service lol lol
#4
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Ah... I did forget to mention one other rather expensive item I had to buy as the good Dr. Collie mentioned: the iCarSoft scanner for $150. It let me reset the oil service reminder and will have more uses going forward...
#5
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#6
Nordschleife Master
Not only do you get the satisfaction of doing it yourself, you acquired knowledge and know that you did it right. Lots of times, you pay all this money to the dealer and they don't even do it right, they forget to put something back on, put in too much or too little oil, scratch the car (and don't tell you - you gotta find out yourself) - then you have to drive back and get it fixed and argue with them. I have always said, no one cares more about your car than you.
#7
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I've seen the DIY videos for it and it does look easy. My worry is that I'll get half way through and not be able to get my wrench on that last coil or plug and I'll be SOL. It looks pretty tight in there. But I might get up the guts come springtime.
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#8
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I put a Tubi Cat-Back Exhaust on my 991 and after pulling all the mufflers the plugs were so easy to get to - but them my car only had 2K miles on it so it didn't need them. The trick for accessibility on a 991 is to jack up the rear and pull the back wheels off the car and set them aside, that really opens up the work space for you. Coil packs can be a little stubborn to pull off, but they will come off. Other than that, its just extension lengths for the racket, and its always good to own a wobble extension or two.
#10
The $400 saved aside, what you're doing for your son will pay him for years.
#11
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Power to you, mgordon18. My son was 7 when he helped me install a supercharger on a Mustang. He once had a college internship at a tuner, designing supercharger parts. This year he earned his PhD in mechanical engineering. Those formative years....
#12
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Luckily I have congenital stenosis in my lower back and neck since I hate to get my hands dirty. I gladly pay for service albeit not the dealer, but real good Indy shops.
#13
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The harder they make it to try and force me to the stealership the more I keep doing my own work. When I heard they wanted to program the battery into the car I almost puked. Then went and got a battery and installed the darn thing. Keep up the good work with your son!
#15
Im gona have someone help
me that has more tools that I trust but still a fraction of the cost.