Novice attempting first service

[Torkijo]

HI

About to have a go at servicing our 1.6td engine and would like some advice first.

I have the Haynes and the JK Engine Manual and i am going to change Oil, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter and Air Filter and check various bits.

So, having looked on te Wiki and through JK and Brickwerks i am about to order the right filters etc but am wondering about tools.

I have basic Spanners, Screwdrivers and a socket set but do i need a Torque wrench or anything else?


Other really silly question is does anyone know if there are any nice pictures anywhere labelling the different parts of the engine as i am working it out 1 by 1 but an overall reference picture would be useful.



Oh, looking at the engine i have a 'slight' pooling of liquid in a dip just below the top of the oil filter and some of the things in this area are shiny from residue- should i be concerned or should this stop once i clean it up and change the filter?


Any advice would be appreciated before i start this as i hate starting something and realising i need something else to finish it!

[kevtherev]

HI

About to have a go at servicing our 1.6td engine and would like some advice first.

I have the Haynes and the JK Engine Manual and i am going to change Oil, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter and Air Filter and check various bits.

So, having looked on te Wiki and through JK and Brickwerks i am about to order the right filters etc but am wondering about tools.

I have basic Spanners, Screwdrivers and a socket set but do i need a Torque wrench or anything else?

Nope that's it.... just follow the haynes
clean up the oil leak and around it... then you can see where it's coming from

[California Dreamin]

All those service items are very straight forward..a couple of tips:
Warm the engine first to enable the engine oil to drain more easily.
Make sure you purchase a new sump bung/bung washer.
Fill the diesel filter with clean diesel fuel when fitting otherwise you will be cranking over the engine for ages trying to purge the air.
Put a smear of oil on the oil filter seal and tighten it hand tight...well as tight as you can get it by hand.

Don't forget there are lots of other things on a service like checking brakes/steering/suspension/lights/exhaust/drive belts/coolant level/gearbox level/tappets/brake fluid/washer fluid/horn/wipers/washers/wheel bearings/drive shafts etc etc

Martin

[Hacksawbob]

dont over tighten sump plug is the best tip, just nip it up, if it still leaks give it another quarter turn.

[Torkijo]

All those service items are very straight forward..a couple of tips:
Warm the engine first to enable the engine oil to drain more easily.
Make sure you purchase a new sump bung/bung washer.
Fill the diesel filter with clean diesel fuel when fitting otherwise you will be cranking over the engine for ages trying to purge the air.
Put a smear of oil on the oil filter seal and tighten it hand tight...well as tight as you can get it by hand.

Don't forget there are lots of other things on a service like checking brakes/steering/suspension/lights/exhaust/drive belts/coolant level/gearbox level/tappets/brake fluid/washer fluid/horn/wipers/washers/wheel bearings/drive shafts etc etc

Martin

Cheers All

Some of those have been checked by me and also by an experienced and qualified Mechanic but yes, my thought was to do a few at a time rather than make the job look to big!

Is this the sump bung your talking about: http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... yword=sump" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ?

Also, any idea's why she is pulling to the left a fair bit? Bearings are fine and the Mechanic couldn't see anything visibly wrong when he looked under whilst it was up for the bearings. Its a LHD if that makes any difference?

[California Dreamin]

dont over tighten sump plug is the best tip, just nip it up, if it still leaks give it another quarter turn.

If the bung is nipped up and is still leaking then a full quater turn is likely going to strip the thread.. I'm sure Hacksawbob didn't really mean that.
The sump bung washer should be changed everytime the oil is changed (not necessarily the bung itself) that depends on its condition.

Steering pulling indicates that your geometry may need adjusting but there are some basic checks you need to carry out first.
1) Tyre pressures
2) Tyre make (try to have a matched pair on each axle) different tyres have difference rolling resistances (resistance to turn) swapping wheels left to right is always a good first call.
3) check all suspension mounts before investing in a geometry setup (no point in adjusting on worn components)
4) If you have the van setup, make sure it's a specialist who knows what he is doing with these old vans (otherwise the only thing they will check is the tracking)

Martin

[Torkijo]

dont over tighten sump plug is the best tip, just nip it up, if it still leaks give it another quarter turn.

If the bung is nipped up and is still leaking then a full quater turn is likely going to strip the thread.. I'm sure Hacksawbob didn't really mean that.
The sump bung washer should be changed everytime the oil is changed (not necessarily the bung itself) that depends on its condition.

Steering pulling indicates that your geometry may need adjusting but there are some basic checks you need to carry out first.
1) Tyre pressures
2) Tyre make (try to have a matched pair on each axle) different tyres have difference rolling resistances (resistance to turn) swapping wheels left to right is always a good first call.
3) check all suspension mounts before investing in a geometry setup (no point in adjusting on worn components)
4) If you have the van setup, make sure it's a specialist who knows what he is doing with these old vans (otherwise the only thing they will check is the tracking)

Martin

Cheers, have covered 1 and 2 and the guy has worked on T25's before (Mainly works on Lotus's and a touring race car though)

[Hacksawbob]

I suppose it depends what you call a 'nip', say hand tight and a bit more, the new seal will compress slightly. best not to have the sump plug rattle free either!

Also, any idea's why she is pulling to the left a fair bit?

brakes binding possibly? Jack front wheel on the side its pulling towards wheel should turn freely.

[Torkijo]

Right, managed to change oil and oil filter-had slight delay in having to go and buy a strap wrench as couldn't get the fuel filter off, unfortunately have spilt a small circle of oil onto drive as it soaked through paper under where the filter came off- any ideas how to get oil of a Tarmac drive?

The sump has the long threaded screw so didn't need the washer in the end.


Going to do the fuel filter next week and then give the engine a clean so I can check for any leaks, any tips around the fuel filter?

I know this is really basic for some of you and i appreciate all advice (well, all constructive advise) but at the age of 40 and having only ever topped up oil, antifreeze and screenwash before (never even changed a wheel) I feel well chuffed to have done this.

[riffboy]

You can buy some stuff for removing oil. I think its called gunk or something like that.

I once spilt oil on a brick paved drive, so i ended up pulling the bricks up and putting them upside down in the bbq the oil heated up and ran away!! Im a genius

[kevtherev]

Yes riffboy has it Gunk available from halfords will degrease de-oil an engine in quick time.

get the can it works out cheaper and fill a spray bottle up (from the kitchen)
work the gunk into the oily area with a stiff brush or a cheap paintbrush.
Don't be sparing with it... let it dry naturally

[Torkijo]

Cheers guys, Gunk it is

[Red Westie]

The sump has the long threaded screw so didn't need the washer in the end.

What has the length of the thread got to do with not needing a new seal?

It doesn't matter how long the thread is, the oil will use it like a spiral stair case to make an appearance...

Martin

[Torkijo]

The sump has the long threaded screw so didn't need the washer in the end.

What has the length of the thread got to do with not needing a new seal?

It doesn't matter how long the thread is, the oil will use it like a spiral stair case to make an appearance...

Martin

It's the valve type so doesnt have a washer
http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... yword=Sump" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Red Westie]