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#40853 - 22/02/10 01:37 PM
DIY Maintenance
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Just Getting Started
Registered: 10/12/09
Posts: 75
Loc: northants, uk
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Hi all, be interested to hear what the thinking is behind doing your own maintenance over using a dealer. On the basis that you know what you are doing and have the equipment to do it, would you foresake dealer servicing in preference to doing it yourself or do you feel that the dealer stamp in the book is critical to the resale at some later date ? I appreciate that vehicles still under warranty will be different in this respect but one of the many things that attracted me to the Morgan is its simplicity and such it lends itself to the DIY mechanic. I was getting a bit fed up at the massive servicing costs on some of my previous exotica but had to suffer it partly due to the higher technology but more so for the stamp in the book so critical on some makes.
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#40865 - 22/02/10 05:34 PM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: Easter]
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Roadster Guru
Talk Morgan Expert
Registered: 11/12/08
Posts: 2665
Loc: Yorkshire
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Well I won't be doing any continental touring, so although I planned to get the book stamped until it was five years old, events of last year made me chose to DIY it - that was basically the dealer wanting the car for a week - plus the inconvenience of getting there & back. If you can prove the service has been done by keeping receipts, that should satisfy most people. My Mog had had four dealer stamps but they hadn't checked the gearbox oil level. I know that - as the heat insulation on the tunnel hadn't been cut to access the level plug, and the plug didn't align with the hole when I did get in there. Not very impressive.
Having said that I don't intend to sell it anyway.
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DaveW
Red Roadster
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#40875 - 22/02/10 08:44 PM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: John +4]
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New to Talk Morgan
Registered: 21/08/09
Posts: 22
Loc: Leics UK
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For me, part of the fun of ownership is the DIY servicing and maintenance. You then also know, assuming you're reasonably competent in the spanner-weilding department, that things have been done and done properly.
I also find it very satisfying, interesting, and you get to know more about 'your' car. (It's not until I take the wheels off a car that I consider it really 'mine'. A bit like when you move into a new house - it's not yours until you've decorated it!)
And what does a service consist of these days? A quick oil & filter change; pump up the tyres; fill the washer bottle; and a check of a few bolts. All the electrics and fuel injection gubbins are pretty well maintenace free, so go on - get your latex gloves on and get stuck in!
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Sid
Indigo Blue '99 +4
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#40881 - 23/02/10 08:45 AM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: sid]
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Just Getting Started
Registered: 10/12/09
Posts: 75
Loc: northants, uk
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Yep, I'm with the DIY'ers, its part of the owning experience and at least you know the jobs been done properly or if not you only have yourself to blame. No disrespect to the dealers but despite all the fancy PR and nice carpet, they are only as good as the mechanics they have. Can anyone recommend a good service manual that covers the 4.0 ltr Rover V8 engine ?
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#40893 - 23/02/10 11:28 AM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: smiffmog]
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Roadster Guru
Talk Morgan Expert
Registered: 11/12/08
Posts: 2665
Loc: Yorkshire
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Try this: e-bay ref: 300398170485 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER V8 ENGINE OVERHAUL MANUAL B/NEW Covers 3.5 to 4.6 
_________________________
DaveW
Red Roadster
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#40894 - 23/02/10 12:23 PM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: smiffmog]
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Registered: 21/07/07
Posts: 1724
Loc: Bucks
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Yep, I'm with the DIY'ers, its part of the owning experience and at least you know the jobs been done properly or if not you only have yourself to blame. No disrespect to the dealers but despite all the fancy PR and nice carpet, they are only as good as the mechanics they have. Can anyone recommend a good service manual that covers the 4.0 ltr Rover V8 engine ? Smiffmog, don't get me wrong I love fixing it myself & have generally done all my own servicing on my "hobby" vehicles such as my MG Midget or Moto Guzzi Le Mans. But in my current job I am away all week so to stay married I have to limit that garage time to adding bits etc. John
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#40895 - 23/02/10 01:08 PM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: John +4]
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L - Learner Plates On
Registered: 15/10/09
Posts: 114
Loc: Herts, UK
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In about 2004/5, when I traded up from a 2001 Saab 9-3 Cabrio to a 1996 Land Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon I selected the 300Tdi engine model even though I could have afforded the newer TD5 model because I wanted to do my own servicing - and I haven't even changed the oil myself since then. Though I have fitted a few accessories!
When I decided to get a Morgan I started off thinking about £20k-plus nearly new that I no doubt would have taken to a dealer for servicing. In the end I found a less-than-£13k 20-year-old model that has already been tinkered with and thought "I could tinker too". It seems to have worked a bit this time - I've greased up the front-end already, I've got a new set of ignition components to fit (and I will fit them...soon), and I've taken out the rear seats and passenger seat to treat with Gliptone Liquid Leather.
For me, part of the fun of ownership is "tinkering" - which is one of the reasons I prefer older cars: they are easier to tinker with and it doesn't affect the re-sale value so much. Unless your older cars are Rollers or Ferraris I guess.
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Neil
1988 Morgan 4/4 4 Seater, black
1996 LR Defender 110, white
2009 Honda Deauville, black
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#40904 - 23/02/10 06:41 PM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: Easter]
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Learner Plates Off!
Registered: 24/03/08
Posts: 253
Loc: Chesham Bucks
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one downside of DIY is a dealer stamp is usually required for continental breakdown cover. I would join the RAC as they recovered my Dads flat rad from Italy last summer, and the only time thats been near a dealer in the last 42 years is when I've driven it to work 
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#40906 - 23/02/10 06:58 PM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: Jim Mountain]
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Learner Plates Off!
Registered: 24/03/08
Posts: 253
Loc: Chesham Bucks
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Morgans are easy to maintain, but if your not sure about something especially the brakes get a pro that you know and trust to do it, as the last thing you want is to be in the outside lane with the Toyotas that can't stop.
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#40911 - 23/02/10 09:47 PM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: Jim Mountain]
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South Wales Correspondent
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Registered: 26/05/09
Posts: 1725
Loc: South Wales UK
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the last thing you want is to be in the outside lane with the Toyotas that can't stop. Here we go- why is everyone having a dig at Toyota? OK they haven't handled the present issues very well at all ( very badly in fact) but let's keep a sense of perspective here. Generally, they have very good build quality and are fairly unburstable Moreover, almost all manufacturers do recalls for numerous issues ( including Peugeot as I recall, Jim!) and Honda have done one recently. That doesn't make models like the Accord anything other than a well- built and tried car On a personal level I have two Toyotas and a Lexus ( and will buy an FT 86 when it appears). Last weekend, I did 400 miles in a 2006 T-Sport Corolla which has been chipped up to 228BHP It still runs- albeit with EBC greenstuff pads- the standard 4 wheel discs plus drum auxiliary for the parking brake. It has not been subject to a recall becuase it has a standard accelerator cable set-up, goes like stink, handles extremely well and has features and finish which are characteristic of many cars in a much greater price range. So, let's get real here shall we? Rant over  G PS Akio Toyoda is NOT my uncle
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GLLHG
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#40948 - 24/02/10 02:24 PM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: DaveW]
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Just Getting Started
Registered: 10/12/09
Posts: 75
Loc: northants, uk
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Dave, thanks for that, ordered it.
Steve
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#40966 - 24/02/10 11:11 PM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: GLLHG]
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Learner Plates Off!
Registered: 24/03/08
Posts: 253
Loc: Chesham Bucks
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the last thing you want is to be in the outside lane with the Toyotas that can't stop. Here we go- why is everyone having a dig at Toyota? OK they haven't handled the present issues very well at all ( very badly in fact) but let's keep a sense of perspective here. Generally, they have very good build quality and are fairly unburstable Moreover, almost all manufacturers do recalls for numerous issues ( including Peugeot as I recall, Jim!) and Honda have done one recently. That doesn't make models like the Accord anything other than a well- built and tried car On a personal level I have two Toyotas and a Lexus ( and will buy an FT 86 when it appears). Last weekend, I did 400 miles in a 2006 T-Sport Corolla which has been chipped up to 228BHP It still runs- albeit with EBC greenstuff pads- the standard 4 wheel discs plus drum auxiliary for the parking brake. It has not been subject to a recall becuase it has a standard accelerator cable set-up, goes like stink, handles extremely well and has features and finish which are characteristic of many cars in a much greater price range. So, let's get real here shall we? Rant over G PS Akio Toyoda is NOT my uncle Light blue touch paper and stand clear !!!!!  Calm down, Was just a wee bit of jesting  I also own a Toyota as my daily drive an '03 MR2 Roadster, a fantastic car (for sale if anyones intrested). I'm fully aware that all manufacturers have 100's of recalls a year, some saftey related and some not, I have 4 lever arch files on top of my box bursting at the seams with recalls for Peugeots from the last 3 years, and I can have a good laugh at them too ! The two main reasons the Toyota thing is all over the press is A: Toyota trade on there reliabiliy, if you build yourself up on that, then have a major global recall, your going to take a big fall, bit like an MP getting elected using a manifesto of family values, then getting caught with his pants down with a hooker ! B: like all manufactures, Toyota where too busy looking at the balance sheets, and hoping it would all go away instead of trying to fix the fault when it first surfaced, and it wasn't until there was huge public/press pressure over all theses issuses that they admitted the faults excisted and issued the recalls. Having seen the accelerator pedal recall paperwork all I can put the reluctance to issue a recall down to is penny pinching. At the end of the day all cars are crap, they all have bits of poor design and bits that fall off/malfunction everything from a £100k supercar, to a £50 Kia, there all crap, but they also have there good points (well maybe not the Kia). Toyotas in my experence are among the better cars as far as build quility and reliability go (Morgan, Aston Martin and TVR being among the worst), and I would buy another anytime if it was what I was looking for. But it still won't stop me having a light hearted "joke" about them if I feel it may amuse.
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#40969 - 25/02/10 06:46 AM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: Jim Mountain]
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Shakey Bin
Talk Morgan Addict
Registered: 01/09/06
Posts: 3487
Loc: Surrey
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Wow, just read the thread  I would suggest that maybe Gerwyn was a bit wound up by the general badenage and criticism pointed towards Toyota at present and that Jims comment was probably "the straw.."  I agree with both of you however, -Toyota make great cars (wifes Lexus RX build quality is superb in comparison to my newer Range Rover Sport), -All manufacturers have recalls at sometime, Toyota have been a bit slack at handling this epsiode and based upon the legendary quality have suffered more than most, -And most importantly there is nowt wrong (IMHO of course) with a little light humour  Enjoy your Toyotas guys 
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Cheers
BtG
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#40975 - 25/02/10 08:48 AM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: John +4]
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Just Getting Started
Registered: 10/12/09
Posts: 75
Loc: northants, uk
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John +4. Nice to know theres a fellow biker here, have never a Guzzi but really like the Le Mans. Have seen some really nice one off Guzzi Cafe Racers. Theres one in the Davida crash helmet advert that gets my vote.
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#40979 - 25/02/10 09:53 AM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: Jim Mountain]
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South Wales Correspondent
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Registered: 26/05/09
Posts: 1725
Loc: South Wales UK
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the last thing you want is to be in the outside lane with the Toyotas that can't stop. Here we go- why is everyone having a dig at Toyota? OK they haven't handled the present issues very well at all ( very badly in fact) but let's keep a sense of perspective here. Generally, they have very good build quality and are fairly unburstable Moreover, almost all manufacturers do recalls for numerous issues ( including Peugeot as I recall, Jim!) and Honda have done one recently. That doesn't make models like the Accord anything other than a well- built and tried car On a personal level I have two Toyotas and a Lexus ( and will buy an FT 86 when it appears). Last weekend, I did 400 miles in a 2006 T-Sport Corolla which has been chipped up to 228BHP It still runs- albeit with EBC greenstuff pads- the standard 4 wheel discs plus drum auxiliary for the parking brake. It has not been subject to a recall becuase it has a standard accelerator cable set-up, goes like stink, handles extremely well and has features and finish which are characteristic of many cars in a much greater price range. So, let's get real here shall we? Rant over G PS Akio Toyoda is NOT my uncle Light blue touch paper and stand clear !!!!! Calm down, Was just a wee bit of jesting I also own a Toyota as my daily drive an '03 MR2 Roadster, a fantastic car (for sale if anyones intrested). I'm fully aware that all manufacturers have 100's of recalls a year, some saftey related and some not, I have 4 lever arch files on top of my box bursting at the seams with recalls for Peugeots from the last 3 years, and I can have a good laugh at them too ! The two main reasons the Toyota thing is all over the press is A: Toyota trade on there reliabiliy, if you build yourself up on that, then have a major global recall, your going to take a big fall, bit like an MP getting elected using a manifesto of family values, then getting caught with his pants down with a hooker ! B: like all manufactures, Toyota where too busy looking at the balance sheets, and hoping it would all go away instead of trying to fix the fault when it first surfaced, and it wasn't until there was huge public/press pressure over all theses issuses that they admitted the faults excisted and issued the recalls. Having seen the accelerator pedal recall paperwork all I can put the reluctance to issue a recall down to is penny pinching. At the end of the day all cars are crap, they all have bits of poor design and bits that fall off/malfunction everything from a £100k supercar, to a £50 Kia, there all crap, but they also have there good points (well maybe not the Kia). Toyotas in my experence are among the better cars as far as build quility and reliability go (Morgan, Aston Martin and TVR being among the worst), and I would buy another anytime if it was what I was looking for. But it still won't stop me having a light hearted "joke" about them if I feel it may amuse. Jim, My post wasn't aimed at you but at the whole way this thing has blown up. I agree entirely with your comments about the widespread element of crap and that it isn't limited to a particular make or price band. Similarly, I would accept that Toyota haven't made things any better for themselves by having, in the past, traded on their reputation for build quality What does get to me about this is the way the uninformed press ( OK I know that's tautology) have slanted this so much. I will also admit to a vested interest because I have a nephew who works in R &D for Toyota and I know that for several weeks before this thing even started to rumble, they were warning the sales/ marketing guys about it but the latter chose not to act soon enough or sensibly enough Hope that clarifies things. regards, G PS What's a 'hooker'? ( We lead very quiet lives down here!)
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GLLHG
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#41092 - 27/02/10 02:34 PM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: GLLHG]
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Shakey Bin
Talk Morgan Addict
Registered: 01/09/06
Posts: 3487
Loc: Surrey
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-And most importantly there is nowt wrong (IMHO of course) with a little light humour Hey Boshers, I hope you're not suggesting I can't do light humour! No, just didn't want Jim to stop making funny comments. I also wanted to post again, as I followed a Toyota with the old catchline "The car in front is a Toyota" oh how I wanted to add "Thank God it's not behind me"
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Cheers
BtG
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#41094 - 27/02/10 03:39 PM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: Boshly]
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South Wales Correspondent
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Registered: 26/05/09
Posts: 1725
Loc: South Wales UK
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-And most importantly there is nowt wrong (IMHO of course) with a little light humour Hey Boshers, I hope you're not suggesting I can't do light humour! I also wanted to post again, as I followed a Toyota with the old catchline "The car in front is a Toyota" oh how I wanted to add "Thank God it's not behind me" Ok, I know when I'm beaten!!  Regards, G
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GLLHG
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#41118 - 28/02/10 09:19 AM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: Jim Mountain]
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Talk Morgan Sage
Registered: 05/08/06
Posts: 6299
Loc: England
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I also own a Toyota as my daily drive an '03 MR2 Roadster, a fantastic car (for sale if anyones intrested).
You guys make me laugh. Only Morgan lovers could turn a question about self servicing (no jokes! ) into a question of Toyota reliability and public relations. As a side note, and while we are well and truly off course, when Toyota launched the MR2 in North America, they were debadged in the first year of sales. They said MR2 but Toyota wasn't shown anywhere on the exterior of the car. Theories range from Toyota being unsure as to whether the car would be a success or not (and if it was a flop, not wanting a negative impact on the brand) to feeling that the Toyota badge could make people take the little sports car less seriously (a Toyota dealer told me this at the time). Whatever the case, always fascinated me that the company produced the car but didn't put their company logo on it. As for DIY maintenance of a Morgan (once it is out of warranty period), I would agree with the people who said it shouldn't effect resale as long as you can prove receipts for all the parts purchased (including oil and all consumables). I would also ensure I documented what I did, when and at what mileage (stapling the receipts to it). The above is pointless to me as I can manage a bucket and sponge, stretching to clay bar, polish and wax.
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#41120 - 28/02/10 11:28 AM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: Simon]
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South Wales Correspondent
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Registered: 26/05/09
Posts: 1725
Loc: South Wales UK
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You guys make me laugh. Only Morgan lovers could turn a question about self servicing (no jokes! ) into a question of Toyota reliability and public relations. TalkMorgan- THE forum for lateral thinkers! G
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GLLHG
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#41129 - 28/02/10 05:29 PM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: GLLHG]
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Talk Morgan Regular
Registered: 29/09/06
Posts: 802
Loc: Northants
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TalkMorgan- THE forum for lateral thinkers! G All good points made above ~ but my favourite is the one above.
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#41133 - 28/02/10 07:25 PM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: smiffmog]
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L - Learner Plates On
Registered: 20/02/09
Posts: 129
Loc: Cheshire
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Yep, I'm with the DIY'ers, its part of the owning experience and at least you know the jobs been done properly or if not you only have yourself to blame. No disrespect to the dealers but despite all the fancy PR and nice carpet, they are only as good as the mechanics they have. Can anyone recommend a good service manual that covers the 4.0 ltr Rover V8 engine ? I have to say I'm a great fan of Kevin Vernon of Tudor Motors who knows his way round the marque. I'm happy he carries out the service knowing all the necessary nuts bolts to be tightened in preparation for the annual MOT. Leaving his place in Market Drayton, the +4 always goes like s**t off a shovel!
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#41247 - 03/03/10 07:27 PM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: Jim Mountain]
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L - Learner Plates On
Registered: 13/02/08
Posts: 143
Loc: Southport
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For me part of the joy of ownership is the DIY tinkering and servicing. Mines a little easier though being an '83 CVH Carb model...no electronics!!
I keep my own service book...just record the work done date and mileage, its your own equivalent of the 'dealer stamp', you could even keep the receipts for the parts changed as proof.
History like this is worth more than any dealer stamp, shows the car's been truly looked after with loving care.
I've got a folder full of stuff like this, including the original letters when the car was first ordered (5 years before it was built!! those were the days!) and the notification letter of the start of the build...all wonderful stuff...to me anyway.
Just don't spill oil and grease on the drive or 'erindoors' will go mad.
cheers
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rgds
Nick....just waiting for the sunshine...
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#65198 - 21/07/11 08:04 PM
Re: DIY Maintenance
[Re: NJR]
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New to Talk Morgan
Registered: 21/07/11
Posts: 14
Loc: Northampton
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I'm new here but now I know of this little group I'll be a regular visitor for advice and to ask questions.
I used to DIY on everything - even helped with building my first motorbike out of 3 boxes of bits and a frame, and I've done head gaskets, servicing et al on my older cars.
Since buying my Morgan new though it's always gone to the dealer initially or to Chas @ Mogsport. Like others, I have no intention of selling my loved one to another and so will giving her even more loving care by DIYing from now on.
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Julia
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