How easy is easy (installations)?
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 519
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
How easy is easy (installations)?
I've had my 98 GS4 for almost a year now, and the last few months have been a complete eye opener for me, as far as mods that you can do to your GS. I've never changed an air filter, spark plugs, or oil, and these are things that it seems like CL members deem simple. So, my question is, should I attempt to try changing
air filter?
spark plugs?
oil?
ECU?
on my 4, or should I just pay the price, and have it done professionally. And if so, is Lexus the only way to go as far as service goes, or are there other options for service that would work just as well? I had a mechanic before that I was happy with, but I trusted in him being knowledgable about my Accord, since those are a dime a dozen (plus, he allowed me to pay him in installments if I wanted). Now, with a much rarer car, I don't know how confident I could/should be in his ability to change oil, change brake pads/calipers, or any other routine service, without possibly creating problems for me/my car.
air filter?
spark plugs?
oil?
ECU?
on my 4, or should I just pay the price, and have it done professionally. And if so, is Lexus the only way to go as far as service goes, or are there other options for service that would work just as well? I had a mechanic before that I was happy with, but I trusted in him being knowledgable about my Accord, since those are a dime a dozen (plus, he allowed me to pay him in installments if I wanted). Now, with a much rarer car, I don't know how confident I could/should be in his ability to change oil, change brake pads/calipers, or any other routine service, without possibly creating problems for me/my car.
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a good mechanic should have the fundamental knowledge of "cars" and be able to apply it on various vehicles. I trust my mechanic from changing oils to implement a turbo.
Changing ECU is really easy and you can find a lot of installation guides in CL using "search feature".
Changing ECU is really easy and you can find a lot of installation guides in CL using "search feature".
Re: How easy is easy (installations)?
Originally posted by twenty1
...should I attempt to try changing
air filter?
spark plugs?
oil?
ECU?
on my 4, or should I just pay the price, and have it done professionally. And if so, is Lexus the only way to go as far as service goes, or are there other options for service that would work just as well? I had a mechanic before that I was happy with, but I trusted in him being knowledgable about my Accord, since those are a dime a dozen (plus, he allowed me to pay him in installments if I wanted). Now, with a much rarer car, I don't know how confident I could/should be in his ability to change oil, change brake pads/calipers, or any other routine service, without possibly creating problems for me/my car.
...should I attempt to try changing
air filter?
spark plugs?
oil?
ECU?
on my 4, or should I just pay the price, and have it done professionally. And if so, is Lexus the only way to go as far as service goes, or are there other options for service that would work just as well? I had a mechanic before that I was happy with, but I trusted in him being knowledgable about my Accord, since those are a dime a dozen (plus, he allowed me to pay him in installments if I wanted). Now, with a much rarer car, I don't know how confident I could/should be in his ability to change oil, change brake pads/calipers, or any other routine service, without possibly creating problems for me/my car.
Unless you're really strapped for cash or **** retentive, I personally don't think changing your own oil is a good idea. It's messy, you have to dispose of the oil, and I've known people who even very experienced have made mistakes like putting brake fluid in the engine (eek!) or forgetting to put any oil in the car after draining, or stripping the bolt on the oil pan, etc. Your Honda mechanic though could definitely change your oil for you. I get mine done at the dealer because I like the fact they wash and vacuum my car after. It's $36 at the dealer, vs. about $29 at JiffyLube.
Changing spark plugs is pretty straightforward I think, although I've never done it. I don't know if you still have to check spark plug gaps like you had to years ago. If so, forget it.
If by ECU you mean the steering ECU, I did it, and I'm NOT very mechanically inclined. Just take your time, and it still shouldn't take more than an hour at the very most.
Last edited by bitkahuna; Apr 17, 2002 at 05:34 PM.
Tech Guru
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,280
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I won't let any unknown person especially any car shop touching my car, even Lexus unless if absolutely needed. I do everything myself.
No one care about your car like yourself. you never know what damage do to your car if you let someone else touch it. if it's gonna damage, I want to be the person that did it, then I can't blame anyone.
With a body kit, my car can bearly make it on the lift at most shop, if the machanics is not careful, he WILL mess something up.
If you need pratice, find another car in the family and do your oil change, change filter, spark plug....once you know how to do it for one car, you know the rest.
(BTW, you don't need to change ur sparkplug til 100k, if I remember correctly, change air filter is like walk in a park hee hee)
anyway, but if you are not comfortable with doing it, Don't do it. You need to enjoy what you do.
just my .02 cent
Anh
No one care about your car like yourself. you never know what damage do to your car if you let someone else touch it. if it's gonna damage, I want to be the person that did it, then I can't blame anyone.
With a body kit, my car can bearly make it on the lift at most shop, if the machanics is not careful, he WILL mess something up.
If you need pratice, find another car in the family and do your oil change, change filter, spark plug....once you know how to do it for one car, you know the rest.
(BTW, you don't need to change ur sparkplug til 100k, if I remember correctly, change air filter is like walk in a park hee hee)
anyway, but if you are not comfortable with doing it, Don't do it. You need to enjoy what you do.
just my .02 cent
Anh
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,681
Likes: 2
From: International
for GS300 changine the spark plugs is a pain the ***.. you have to take of the throttle body because its in the way of the spark plugs. the easiest is air filter, followed by oil and oil filter (should be done together) and finally spark plug. on GS4 it shouldn't be too hard, its all about hte location of hte plug.
Heres a tip:
if you are just want to learn mechanics make a list of the things you have to do so you dont miss a step, and think about each thing before you do it. this way you can avoid ir-reversable problesm (running a car with no oil) if you PM me i woudl be glad to share some more info with you
Heres a tip:
if you are just want to learn mechanics make a list of the things you have to do so you dont miss a step, and think about each thing before you do it. this way you can avoid ir-reversable problesm (running a car with no oil) if you PM me i woudl be glad to share some more info with you
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,580
Likes: 19
From: California
Originally posted by BananaGS
I won't let any unknown person especially any car shop touching my car, even Lexus unless if absolutely needed. I do everything myself.
No one care about your car like yourself. you never know what damage do to your car if you let someone else touch it. if it's gonna damage, I want to be the person that did it, then I can't blame anyone.
With a body kit, my car can bearly make it on the lift at most shop, if the machanics is not careful, he WILL mess something up.
If you need pratice, find another car in the family and do your oil change, change filter, spark plug....once you know how to do it for one car, you know the rest.
(BTW, you don't need to change ur sparkplug til 100k, if I remember correctly, change air filter is like walk in a park hee hee)
anyway, but if you are not comfortable with doing it, Don't do it. You need to enjoy what you do.
just my .02 cent
Anh
I won't let any unknown person especially any car shop touching my car, even Lexus unless if absolutely needed. I do everything myself.
No one care about your car like yourself. you never know what damage do to your car if you let someone else touch it. if it's gonna damage, I want to be the person that did it, then I can't blame anyone.
With a body kit, my car can bearly make it on the lift at most shop, if the machanics is not careful, he WILL mess something up.
If you need pratice, find another car in the family and do your oil change, change filter, spark plug....once you know how to do it for one car, you know the rest.
(BTW, you don't need to change ur sparkplug til 100k, if I remember correctly, change air filter is like walk in a park hee hee)
anyway, but if you are not comfortable with doing it, Don't do it. You need to enjoy what you do.
just my .02 cent
Anh
I spend $32 changing the oil and filter on my own but I use Mobil1 and OEM filter. Drain it starting Friday night and cap the drain Saturday or even Sunday depending on my weekend schedule. I get 1/2 quart more of dirty oil.
Why do I do it? I just love tinkering with cars...period. But to answer your question....yes you can do the air filter, spark plugs, oil, ECU.
To erase your fear, tackle them one at a time. Think of solving a puzzle before you attack. Imagine your game plan. Start with the simplest task like the air filter. Know its location, figure out how it can be accessed, separate the other components next to it to even make it look simpler and easier to get to, make mental or physical notes of how it stays in place, which side faces up or down, back or front, etc. When you feel like it's doable, and you can put it all back to the same configuration, then attack it. If you doubt something, bounce it off here at CL or get yourself a service repair manual. It can be both fun and challenging.
Originally posted by whitels
To erase your fear, tackle them one at a time. Think of solving a puzzle before you attack. Imagine your game plan. Start with the simplest task like the air filter. Know its location, figure out how it can be accessed, separate the other components next to it to even make it look simpler and easier to get to, make mental or physical notes of how it stays in place, which side faces up or down, back or front, etc. When you feel like it's doable, and you can put it all back to the same configuration, then attack it. If you doubt something, bounce it off here at CL or get yourself a service repair manual. It can be both fun and challenging.
To erase your fear, tackle them one at a time. Think of solving a puzzle before you attack. Imagine your game plan. Start with the simplest task like the air filter. Know its location, figure out how it can be accessed, separate the other components next to it to even make it look simpler and easier to get to, make mental or physical notes of how it stays in place, which side faces up or down, back or front, etc. When you feel like it's doable, and you can put it all back to the same configuration, then attack it. If you doubt something, bounce it off here at CL or get yourself a service repair manual. It can be both fun and challenging.
(That's a real book by the way.)
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,580
Likes: 19
From: California
Originally posted by bitkahuna
Did you just read "Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance"? (That's a real book by the way.)
Did you just read "Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance"?
(That's a real book by the way.)
No. Just talking from experience. You're also into motorcycles?
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Originally posted by whitels
No. Just talking from experience. You're also into motorcycles?
No. Just talking from experience. You're also into motorcycles?
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