Servicing...

[GrantGam]

Hello all,

First off I don't really know a great deal about cars in general, so I'd really appreciate any advice

I've had my S2 Coupe ABY since April, and the mechanic at my local garage did the following on the understanding that it would prevent me from running into any major issues:

-Timing belt replaced
-Fan belt changed
-Oil filter replaced
-Air filter renewed
-Fuel filter changed
-Spark plugs replaced
-Coolant renewed
-Engine oil renewed

Would you guys recommend any other checks/replacements that I should get done to avoid trouble? What about the head gasket, should this ever be inspected or changed as a precaution? The last thing I want is to ruin a perfectly nice car because of my inexperience...

Cheers guys,
Grant

[vancouverleedslondon]

You have a spare £1000 to skim the head just in case it is not sealed properly? Big expensive guess.

[K Simmonds]

A head skim costs about £50 and the other components, gaskets, bolts, etc required to do the job come to about £250, so it can be done at home for less than £500. I guess if you paid a garage to the job you'd be looking at the thick end of a grand for parts and labour.

If the car has the old paper type gasket fitted you'd be sensible to change to the later steel type especially if your planing upping the power.

[piotr]

i would also do oil change in gearbox and rear diff.

[vancouverleedslondon]

I wish I had the knowledge to do mine at home then I wouldn't have scrapped the other 2.6 v6 last week when it blew up on the m25.

[newsh]

Servicing...

ABY should have the steel gasket as standard. Unless the car is down on compression or you have mayo in the oil or mystery water disappearance /overheating, I would leave well alone.

[GrantGam]

A head skim costs about £50 and the other components, gaskets, bolts, etc required to do the job come to about £250, so it can be done at home for less than £500. I guess if you paid a garage to the job you'd be looking at the thick end of a grand for parts and labour.

If the car has the old paper type gasket fitted you'd be sensible to change to the later steel type especially if your planing upping the power.

My car is '94 Coupe ABY, does that mean I'd have the steel gasket fitted?

Thanks,
Grant

[GrantGam]

ABY should have the steel gasket as standard. Unless the car is down on compression or you have mayo in the oil or mystery water disappearance /overheating, I would leave well alone.

I have coolant disappearing, although it's more than likley a leak in some of the hosing? Is there any way I could determine if my car was 'down on compression'?

Thanks,
Grant

[GrantGam]

i would also do oil change in gearbox and rear diff.

As I'm not much of a mechanic, is this an expensive job to have done at my local garage?

Thanks,
Grant

[Bowie69]

It might be if he strips the drain plug out the diff(!)

[shaun5]

I have coolant disappearing, although it's more than likley a leak in some of the hosing? Is there any way I could determine if my car was 'down on compression'?

Thanks,
Grant

Oh no, you are right in saying you have got no mechanical knowledge (im lucky im a mechanic, if you asked me to do anything with a computer i'd struggle )

I think you need to find a friendly S2 owner in your neck of the woods.

Compression can be check by your mechanic.

You need to do some research, water leaks can be from anywhere get the car up to temperature, get a torch, and see if you can find any drips/leaks.

[GrantGam]

Oh no, you are right in saying you have got no mechanical knowledge (im lucky im a mechanic, if you asked me to do anything with a computer i'd struggle )

I think you need to find a friendly S2 owner in your neck of the woods.

Compression can be check by your mechanic.

You need to do some research, water leaks can be from anywhere get the car up to temperature, get a torch, and see if you can find any drips/leaks.

Hahaha, I made the foolish mistake of choosing to be an electrician

And I guess the easiest way to get the car up to temperature is leave the engine running whilst stationary? I'll get looking under the bonnet to see what I can find!

Thanks,
Grant

[Monkeymagic]

Get your mechanic to do a compression test on all 5 cylinders. You can buy a tester for about 30 quid though.
Also get a pressure tester and pressurise the car with a cold engine you can look around without getting burnt that way.
With a car like an s2 I would suggest its time to learn for your self and get some basic tools you will save in the long run and enjoy it more

[GrantGam]

Get your mechanic to do a compression test on all 5 cylinders. You can buy a tester for about 30 quid though.
Also get a pressure tester and pressurise the car with a cold engine you can look around without getting burnt that way.
With a car like an s2 I would suggest its time to learn for your self and get some basic tools you will save in the long run and enjoy it more

When you mention a pressure tester for the cooling system; is this just a simple compressor or are there specific testers? Could you advise on a make model and means of testing please?

Thanks,
Grant

[Monkeymagic]

You attach the relevant sized cap in place of your coolant cap the attach the pump. Pressurize to around 1.5 bar and have a look around for leaks or loss of pressure from the gauge. As for brands it depends on your budget like many things. Just do a google search. I think the kit i have is around £200.00 but it fits all makes/models etc.