Work On Your Own 205?

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

You have to accept that everybody has to start somewhere so you can't expect them to be the same standard as you, when you've been doing it for many many years. I do see where you're coming from though, there are certainly people out there who just shouldn't be allowed to work on their own cars!

 

I absolutely accept that everyone has to start somewhere, but when it is work carried out by supposedly experienced and knowledgable folk, it is a bit worrying!!

[ade 4wd 11]

Top thread Tom.

Some of the work on cars i have seen that have been done by "specialists" and "main dealers" has been shocking. I am an electronics engineer, not a trained mechanic, but have worked on cars for over twenty years. I do all the work on my own cars as i dont trust anybody else to it. For example when i changed the rear brake pads on a 206 gti i found that both brake pads with the locating pin where fitted on one side!!! It also had the wrong spark plugs fittted which where way too short causing an occasional missfire and non starter!!! and dont talk to me about electrics.

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

The internet is prime for people to read something and have a go, hence a lot of projects developing on here. Part of the reason is that there are a lot of people who have a go and then decide to set up a business, still having a go but with other peoples cars! I got stung once where someone ran out of talent on the turbo conversion on my CTI and I could have probably done the same work. However you do have to bear in mind that some people go to garages with bits off ebay and ask them to fit them. Others mix up parts such as hubs and trailing arms which generally look the same. Some people make temporary fixes to get you through (particularly if someone is selling a car) and other owners pay more to have more resilience.

 

The one fundamental thing to remember though, and I am sure Tom will agree, is there should be no wood in a 205 GTI, even if the guy on eBay called it special engineering wood!!

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

Timber and 205s are a definite NO NO!!!

 

Matthew Evans please take note!!!

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

I have to agree, It's not just DIY but I've had cars from I think 99% of so called experts which have been bodged in some way or another, I guess I have them to thank thou for all the work I get from them to put right, But at the price they charge is day light robery

[Stevo309 0]

I think this is a great thread.

 

There's no right answer to it though is there? I take great pride in everything I do and will attempt most jobs (increasing) as time goes on and always seem to need a new tool for everything I try. Problem is on occasions when I have realised my limitations and called up experts it has gone wrong.

 

Very very few professionals in my opinion treat a customer's car as their own or actually take a great deal of pride in their work. Some years ago I took a new Magnex system to a local (national) exhaust centre once to be fitted to my 309 gti. Having explained to them that they would need to lean the engine forward to fit the manifold etc they said it was all fine. Several hours later after what they said would be a 1 hour job i got the car back. The manifold was blowing, the system knocking, a water hose melted through on the manifold and there were only 7 visible studs. They offered to fix it for free which they did but less than a week later the "new" stud fell out, they had Araldited half a stud in the hole!

 

I know this is extreme but there's no excuse for professionals to be taking money and not doing a good job (especially specialists) when they should have all the tools and experience necessary but I can't help thinking it also forces people to take on more than they should.

[yeti-dj 7]

My personal hate on cars i have bought is when someone has had "a go" at doing some wiring, those scotchlocks things should be banned!!!

[M@tt 77]

bodge, moi? never!! you're both (H+T) just jealous of my wood working skills that is all!

 

now i have a milling machine on the way an upgrade may be in order

[Batfink 201]

I think this is a good opportunity to ask everyone local to come round and wire up my 205 as I have a fear of electronics and might do something wrong..

Save it from my own lack of experience.

[Baz 421]

I think this is a good opportunity to ask everyone local to come round and wire up my 205 as I have a fear of electronics and might do something wrong..

Save it from my own lack of experience.

 

Kev, as said before i'll happily come over and give you a hand some time!

 

We could make an afternoon/evening of it and get a few of us over & grab some chinese or something...

 

Montage!!!!

[Batfink 201]

Kev, as said before i'll happily come over and give you a hand some time!

 

We could make an afternoon/evening of it and get a few of us over & grab some chinese or something...

 

Montage!!!!

 

cool I'll give you a ring next couple of days and we can work a date into the diary

[Stevo309 0]

Kev, as said before i'll happily come over and give you a hand some time!

 

We could make an afternoon/evening of it and get a few of us over & grab some chinese or something...

 

Montage!!!!

 

I think i'm pretty local to you guys. If you're making it a group meeting kind of thing id' be up for it. Can't promise to be much help with wiring though unless it's stereo related

Edited September 9, 2010 by Stevo309

[maturin23 10]

I used to fiddle with my 205, including most of the engine swap, but I never had the patience or the time to really finish jobs properly.

 

I used to be the same with DIY round the house, rushing things, not fixing mistakes and stopping at 80%, but I've got a whole lot better over the last two or three years and now I'm careful enough to do things to a standard I'd be happy to pay for.

 

When it comes to my cars I just don't get my hands dirty any more. It's much easier/safer/effective to get an expert in who's seen all the problems before and doesn't have to start from base camp every time, plus the job will be done to a higher standard than I would.

 

Know your limits

[GLPoomobile 958]

Know your limits

 

No no,

no no no no,

no no no no,

no no there's....

 

no limits

[large 33]

Anita Doth

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

Kev, as said before i'll happily come over and give you a hand some time!

 

We could make an afternoon/evening of it and get a few of us over & grab some chinese or something...

 

Montage!!!!

This is a really good idea and a good way of picking up tips of people with more experience as well as usually being a good laugh

[maturin23 10]

No no,

no no no no,

no no no no,

no no there's....

 

no limits

 

 

Not only is that bloody annoying song going through my head now, it's being sung by that old bloke from Vicar of Dibley.

 

Thanks Steve...

Edited September 10, 2010 by maturin23