Why dosen't everybody work on their car?

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: wonderwrench

Originally posted by: steppinthrax

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: steppinthrax
As far as the AC system goes you can do some basic things such as charge a low system with the charging tube and cans of R-134a they sell at Wal-mart.

If you want to do it wrong, you can do it this way, yes. An A/C system is a closed system. If it gets low, it is BROKEN and needs to have the leak repaired. Just charging it again is the wrong way to fix things.

ZV

It's a closed system however it does leak over time (just undetectable). And if it's not too low it can be recharged in the method I suggested before. However, if it keeps comming down then yeah you need to find the leak and fix it.

Unless the system has a sight glass there is no way to know exactly how much refrigerant needs to be added. Sure you can guess but the only way to be sure is to recover, evacuate and then charge the system with the correct amount or refrigerant. I'd say 20% of the cars I see that have poor ac performance was because some dumb ass overcharged it. Cars now days use such a small amount of refrigerant in the first place accuracy really matters.

Or you can just use a quality pressure gauge. No need to recover to charge it properly.

ZV

 

[thomsbrain]

Many apartment complexes have strict rules in the leases prohibiting any kind of vehicle maintenance on the property. It's also difficult to store and recycle fluids when you have no garage and there is no "curb-side" service like you get from single-family homes.

 

[Imdmn04]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
Kind of a stupid question. The same thing could be said about 95% of everything that people do. I assume the OP does the following:

• 
  * Grows/raises/processes his own food. All you need is some land and some knowledge & time.
  
  * Assembles his own computers. All you need a a screwdriver and some knowledge & time.
  
  * Makes his own clothes. All you need is some inexpensive material, thread, a needle and some knowledge & time.
  
  * Home-schools his children. All you need is some books, a curriculum, and some knowledge & time.
  
  * Never eats out. All you need is some food, cooking utensils, and some knowledge & time.
  
  * Doesn't buy furniture. All you need is some tools, a workspace, and some knowledge & time.

See how easy it is to break everything down this way? At what point do you realize you have no time for work/leisure because you are attempting be completely self-sufficient to save money and "have a rewarding experience?"

You have to pick-and-choose your battles. We live in a society for a reason.

Quoted for the motherfucking truth.

OP needs to take an intro to micro-economics class.

 

[Zee]

cuz it's fucking annoying that's why. the time and effort has to really outweigh the cost.

 

[Mayfriday0529]

I don't do my own work on except for little things. I have changed headlight bulbs, air filter and refill some fluids thats about it.
I don't have the tools to do anything serious. I don't have a garage, I park on the street what ever spot I can get. I also don't find it safe to being doing work on the actual street. I also live in NY and I could probably do work in spring/summer but in Winter time its way too cold. I couldn't even change a front headlight bulb recently. It was too cold like 17f. and also the location was extremely tight. I took it to a car place and they had to remove the coolant fluid holder because it was blocking the headlight entrace.