Skills and tallents.

[Envoy CDX]

Well, I sat down and got to thinking about what I am actually able to do when it comes to working on car's and in general.. the list below isn't very extensive but is as follows

Basic servicing (oil and filter, brakes, plugs and leads and so on)
Timing belts
Head gaskets
Basic bodywork and paint
But it seems my main area is the electricals, loom making / adapting.


What about everyone else?

[steven240374]

mine seems to be basic servicing
changing suspension
changing interior (seats and stuff)
fixing fuel leaks (which i seem to have done alot of)
never done any of this stuff until i got bessie (the cavvie)

[Robsey]

My list is very similar !

Engine mechanicals,
I've done head gaskets, piston rings, timing belts, clutch kit change, water pumps etc. Plus the usual service items.

General Body and Interior
Done some reasonable welding, some poor painting, replaced faulty heater matrix, re-upholstered my driver's seat, completely re-jigged (okay I hacked to pieces ) my dash

General Mechanicals
General brakes, suspension components, wheel bearings, drop links and replaced various exhausts etc

Electrics - and electrical adaptations
Converted my Dash to Mk2 Astra Digi Dash,
Fitted Vectra-c / Astra-H Full CAN (canbus) audio system with control modules.
Fitted various Omega parts such as one-touch sunroof, Illuminated sunvisor and rear grab handles,
Retro fit front fog-lights. Fitted GSi fuel computer without the floor loom.

I also have access to an Op-Com programmer, diagnostic unit, which is very necessary with the wife's Vectra-C.
Pahh to Full CAN vehicles.

I have done various types of work on about 50 cars and two motor cycles in the past 21 years.

I class my self as quite experienced, but not an expert.

[Cavalier342]

Basic servicing and anything i've learnt myself along the way on my Cav Replacing a few bits in the engine bay and interior, wiring 500 LED's in, and generally cleaning and detailing around the interior. I really do want to be able to have the skills to do anything.
Andrei.

[Robsey]

Basic servicing and anything i've learnt myself along the way on my Cav Replacing a few bits in the engine bay and interior, wiring 500 LED's in, and generally cleaning and detailing around the interior. I really do want to be able to have the skills to do anything.
Andrei.

With a good book, or guidance from someone with a bit of gumption, it all becomes quite easy.

It's a bit like cam belt changes - The first time, I absolutely cacked myself, and checked the fasteners about twenty times, because I feared that I hadn't done something, or hadn't tightened a bolt correctly.

I've done about a dozen now on fords, fiats, Rovers, VW's and a few others.

[Envoy CDX]

Basic servicing and anything i've learnt myself along the way on my Cav Replacing a few bits in the engine bay and interior, wiring 500 LED's in, and generally cleaning and detailing around the interior. I really do want to be able to have the skills to do anything.
Andrei.

All comes with a bit of experience. Just work up to the bigger jobs as you go.

[phalinmegob]

i changed my spare tyre once

[Gaz]

Pretty much everything bar engine machining work.

[Squig]

Easier to list the things I can't do... meaty fingers mean fiddly stuff the girlfriend has to do...

[marcia]

I also do all my own repairs and serviceing,only need local garage for mot and advice,would like to tackle more but my garage is only big enough for the Cavalier to be parked in.
William

[humbucker]

most mechanical jobs im capable of, but electrics and bodywork are unchartered territory. these are both things i will need to encounter/conquer as my project(s) progress, and while i dont doubt my own capabilities its just knowing where to start/how to go about these things.

all in good time. i guess tis a case like most things of dealing with them at the point you need to i.e. 'right, i need to learn how to wire a colour sat nav in now, lets work out how to do that then...' etc hahaha

(i can play a damn good guitar tho hehe)

[Envoy CDX]

i changed my spare tyre once

I know able bodied blokes that have rang the RAC for that...

[Robsey]

i need to learn how to wire a colour sat nav in now, lets work out how to do that then...' etc hahaha

Either that, or ask someone like me who put a Vx double-din sat nav in his jalopey

Although for simplicity, I recommend a Carin unit from an Omega-B (pre-2000).

I know you were only joking, but there's always a solution.

[Envoy CDX]

i need to learn how to wire a colour sat nav in now, lets work out how to do that then...' etc hahaha

Either that, or ask someone like me who put a Vx double-din sat nav in his jalopey

Although for simplicity, I recommend a Carin unit from an Omega-B (pre-2000).

I know you were only joking, but there's always a solution.

I like the one-off status your Cav has

[Robsey]

Me Too !!

[Envoy CDX]

Me Too !!

Good good.

[humbucker]

going off topic here a bit, but i have a carin system in my omega, the little orange screen version, but tbh its not the best system in the world... apart from needing a disc of roads its position in the car is ridiculous, total after thought. the colour job in the facelift omegas is a much better idea...

[Robsey]

going off topic here a bit, but i have a carin system in my omega, the little orange screen version, but tbh its not the best system in the world... apart from needing a disc of roads its position in the car is ridiculous, total after thought. the colour job in the facelift omegas is a much better idea...

This is true, but the later Omega-B set-up is double din.

The omega system will happily (electrics wise) slot into the Cavalier.
The screen and headunit requires a more agressive dash-hacking approach

[humbucker]

maybe i'll think about that as there are changes afoot with my car situation... might be pulling the omega to bits, dont know yet... i'll be in touch!

[Robsey]

maybe i'll think about that as there are changes afoot with my car situation... might be pulling the omega to bits, dont know yet... i'll be in touch!

Feel free to ask, I'll help where I can

[jacko-lah]

Over the last 20 years I have attempted to fix all sorts, but these days I can't be arsed alot of the time, so in reverse order from now to age 16, the highlights not including basic servicing which I always do as it's so simple.

Paid someone to sort out the handbrake on the Volvo. Could have done it, but couldn't be arsed.
Paid someone to fit an anti roll bar link on the volvo. CHDICBA.
Paid someone to do the cambelt.CHDICBA.
Serviced Volvo, MX5, and Cav in 3 hours
Fitted new Hood to MX5 (Saved £200 for 5 hours work)
Made the MX5 idle right.
Paid someone to Weld the Back of the Mx5 sills and paint it the right colour, with the right crinckle finish. I have the basic ability but no space to do it. I have the equipment, but I never wanted to buy the car, so I paid a respected local to do it and was pleased.
Head Gasket on the Astra. I was unemployed but waiting to start a job, whilst MOD security clearance went through. It took about 8 hours over 3 days and was VERY satisfying.
New Brakes on the Mk2 Cav all round.
New Front and rear shocks
New Exhaust
Auto chooke mechanism. I lost some bits trying to fix it, someone on cav web sent be another carb, and I transfered the bits.
Ignition switches x5
Starter motors, Alternators etc
Clutch on the mk3
Headgasket, paid someone and it lasted 20K - Cavhopper now has it to do, but that was 2007, and he's not done it lazy arse.
Engine change on the Calibre. Paid a dick head to do it, then spent weeks getting it to run right.
Headgasket on the Mk3 Cav. paid a local garage to do it 50K ago.
That's about 5 years of stuff.

Then there was the mini called bonker. Over 5 years I replaced head gasket x3, head, brakes, wheel cyclinders, shocks, sill, wings, front valance, a panels.

There was a metro turbo, and I spent months trying to fix a fueling issue and the Rover dealer hadn't a clue

there was an RD350LC and I Rebored it myself in the tool room at work (but that was 1986 and that was allowed back then.

As I say : I often just can not be arsed.

[Robsey]

I can understand that -
20 years ago, I would have got under the car for the sake of it.

Nowadays, I get under the car only when it needs it.
My neck and back complain too much, after working on my back, sprawled underneath a car.

I prefer to do the jobs that I can do in the kitchen.
Making up electrical looms and adaptations.

If I had a garage, then the Cav would probably be immacculate, but I park on an exposed carpark high up a hillside, so I am very aware of the dubious weather .

[branny361]

I have always maintained my own cars fom complete rebuilds to chnging a fuse ,I am now age 49 still do as much (if not more) than when i was younger ,only prob i have noticed is the after effects, I feel more aches and pains, generally the next day ,

[TurboDan]

I'm 25 and do everything myself, from spraying cars, alarms, anything electrical, any bodywork, welding, mechanical work, absolutely anything i will have ago at although i have never rebuilt a Head or a block but i will do one day and i cant see it being that hard.