You have certainly already seen, on one social network or another, photos of car mechanics, engines, etc. I try more or less to explain what I'm doing and to follow up, but I admit that I have trouble with regularity and that sometimes I do things without necessarily publishing them... After that, it create a delay and when I want to publish new things… we get lost!.

So why am I doing mechanics?
It's very simple, for two main reasons: The first is by necessity, for saving and budget! The second is because I actually like it 😊

It's not my job at all and I haven't done any training for it. I started by doing small things, oil change, brake pads, brake discs… then shock absorbers, heating radiator, timing belt, cylinder head gasket, drums, repairing brake calipers… as I went along. extent of breakdowns and necessary maintenance. Today I am able to completely open my engine and disassemble the valves to change the valve stem seals.

Valve stem seals are very small, cost nothing, but they are almost the hardest thing to reach without removing the engine from the vehicle.

How do I manage to do all this?
So I'm not completely sure to know how to do well and professional would surely look at me with a disapproving eye at times... but I'm learning as I go. Thanks to the technical reviews that we can find, to the video tutorials, to the forums that still exist and – also – thanks to the precious advice of friends more competent than me.

I'm also lucky enough to be able to put my car in a garage and leave it half disassembled for several days, otherwise there are a lot of operations that would be much more complicated...

On which car?
Nothing crazy, the one that occupies a large part of my time at the moment is a modest Renault Clio diesel which has just turned 30! And for the moment, it is still my main car. Over time, I got attached to it and it is especially super economical to use and maintain (well when I don't have to disassemble everything). I don't really have the budget at the moment to change it, so I hope to be able to keep it in working order for a little while longer.

And now ?
It's been a bit complicated for a few months. I had to change the starter, part of the exhaust, the timing belt, the brake cylinders and part of the pipes, repair the trunk lock... and currently there is a major cylinder head gasket and gasket work. valve stems. There are also regular small repair or corrosion prevention works, paint touch-ups, leaks, preventive maintenance to be done, etc.

Well, okay, having a 30-year-old car is only economical if you are able to devote a little time to it ^^

But normally, if all goes well, I put the valve stem seals in place, I reassemble the valves, the various elements that go to the cylinder head, I put it all back under the hood and I'm quiet!

The future will tell if everything works, I try to keep you informed on my usual networks.

Oh, and if you want to help me, I had set up a kitty to cover the purchase of parts, specific tools, consumables... I thank you very much to the people who have already participated. The link is here: Help me to save my Clio!

---

448