Self Service

[barramundi]

Howdy All

My name is Bara and I am a new owner of a Liberty Gt.

The purpose of joining this forum is to mingle with like minded people but more importantly to learn about my ride and how to do some service items.

So I will be checking the forums and various other sites for info but here is a list of what items I want to be able to do;

Engine oil replacement (and the various details that go along with it i.e engine flush, oil filter and sump plug change etc)

Cooling system service (i.e how to flush and replace)

Induction system (i.e Air filter change, upper engine cleaner etc)

Break system service (i.e check replace fluid)

Climate control service

Gearbox and Diff service

Fuel system service.

This list is not exhaustive and will add to as I go along,

but basically my intentions is not to become a mechanic, But I have tremendous amount of pride in my car and feel "hopefully" these items could easily be achieved even for the novice like myself.

I will still be taking my car in for major service i.e timing belt as I am not interested in those items.

[Victripper]

I have been thinking the same with my wife's forester which is now out of warranty. My only concern being not having the service book stamped for each interval. I was thinking I could just keep all the receipts to prove that all the servicing was completed. But will this float for most?

I am guessing if I could do it myself then could make sure it is done properly or at least with all the best oils etc and also have a little more knowledge about my car. Mind you the forester is now 3 yrs old and has only just ticked over 22000km's which 5000 of that was done with one trip to QLD a couple of years ago. Hence the car has been serviced 6 times.

[rooby]

Most maintenance type jobs are easy to do yourself if you are willing to try.

If you have the 2.5T check out the service manual viewtopic.php?f=12&t=4686#p185940
I have it on my iPad, which gives me service manual & internet access from the garage and it is awesome.

As a side note, even if you get an iPad super filthy it cleans off very easily.

[Victripper]

How will you go about proving the servicing has been completed correctly if a buyer asks in a few years?

[rooby]

How will you go about proving the servicing has been completed correctly if a buyer asks in a few years?

You don't have to prove anything.

You tell them you serviced it yourself by the book and they believe you or they don't. They inspect the car or get someone else to and they decide if they want it or not.
It's up to you as the owner whether or not you care about the log book.

Currently I get the normal service interval services done at a mechanic who stamp the book and do my in between oil changes and all other maintenance myself, so I still have my log book all filled out in the right places.

To be honest I have probably made less mistakes working on my car than I have experienced from professional mechanics over the years.

I've seen cars advertised for sale as being self maintained and they have looked fine. I would not discount buying one.
I've seen cars advertised with full log books and they have looked terrible.

[barramundi]

Thanks for the heads up Rooby.

So on the the weekend I decided to take some photos of my engine bay to study and identify the different components that make up this wonderful beast.

So far here is what I took and hope to be able to identify all components including all the rubber hoses etc... so any tips or advise will be welcomed. again I'm no genies just a regular guy who likes to know something about everything.

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[Dropz]

If you inbox me I will try and find time one night this week to write up a complete step by step to your list of service desires, or you could just inbox me a service item you'd like to do and I can give you a step by step for that one item. ie gearbox oil change, or engine oil change with filter etc. Also check the DIY/walkthrough section for anything that may have already been covered, maybe even try the search function to see if it helps with any questions

As for your photos to give you an idea:

Fuel system hoses.

IMG_2393.jpg

Powersteering pump, this plug is for the pressure switch for the power steering fluid. to the right of that (edge of the photo) is the alternator to charge the battery and supply the vehicles running power.

IMG_2392.jpg

heater core hoses, part of the engine cooling system. they supply and return coolant to your heatercore (a small radiator inside your dash) to provide you with hot air in winter

IMG_2388.jpg

Blow off valve. this helps subsidize pressure when you are under boost and back off the throttle

IMG_2384.jpg

engine bay

IMG_2379.jpg

up the top is your brake master cylinder, which is mounted on the brake booster (big black cylinder type thing). the hose with the fins on it is your power steering return line, the fins aid in cooling the power steering fluid as it returns to the reservoir (located on the left). Next to that with all the little pipes is your ABS unit and motor for your brakes. to the right of that is the coolant tank for your engine cooling system.
The plug on the bottom of the photo on the intake is you intake air temperature sensor and air flow sensor

IMG_2378.jpg

bottom left is the radiator and the coolant overflow bottle is mounted on it also. the pipe that goes from under your engine cover (near the oil cap) down behind the radiator is an a/c line which is the high pressure hose and it gets hot when a/c is operating. next to your engine cover is the engine oil dipstick and filler cap. infront of your battery is your windscreen washer bottle. behind your battery is the engine compartment fuse box which houses various fuses and relays.

IMG_2374.jpg

air intake, engine bay drivers side

IMG_2373.jpg

engine bay

IMG_2371.jpg

Hope this helps you a bit if you don't know what a certain part does feel free to ask me or another forum member, or wikipedia may be able to give you a general idea also.

[barramundi]

Thanks for your help and offer I will take you up on that Karl.

My priority list at this stage;

1. Fix CEL code. I have both p0031 and p0134 . (Did a quick search and understand it relates to the O2 sensor. Also in the Gregory's manual it refers to it as the "upstream" oxygen sensor.

2.Fix windshield washer/nozzle. (Only sprays a dribble) need to know what to check. ( I have visually checked the spray nozzles and they seem okay no blockage)

3.centre console lid won't lock when depressed. It also feels stiff when I push down on it. Almost like some resistance there.

4.Thoroughly clean air vents/air-con system

This list is inclusive. I have other on the agenda but no as a priority at this stage.

On the weekend I was at supercheap auto shopping for fuel cleaner additive and as you do I was wondering through the isle's and starring at me was Gregory's liberty/outback repair manual. So I picked it and went through it. I must say its well written and can see myself taking my knowledge to a whole new level.

[Dropz]

1. The o2 sensors is a common problem on the GTs. The one in the dump pipe is normally at fault. Upstream would mean its the first one in the exhaust, which is before the catalytic converter. It is located just behind the turbo on the top of the dump pipe. Replace it and it should be ok.

2. The hoses to the nozzle may be blocked or the nozzle may be blocked internally, I unplug the nozzle and spray compressed air both directions through it, then just with my mouth i blow into the hose until I hear bubbling in the washer bottle (using compressed air can blow the hoses off joints, which can be annoying to track down)

3. The resistance is probably the hinge having been bent from someone over opening the lid. It's not uncommon, but normally people ignore it. On some models you can remove the lid, dismantle it (its just a few screws) and bend the hinge back into shape, this will also help the locking. however whilst the lid and latch are apart try using some foam, or thick double sided tape to act as a spring on the back of the latch giving it more locking tension.

4. Your guess is as good as mine. Short of pulling things apart you will never be 100% thorough as dust etc builds up on the a/c evaporator and heater core causing dusty smells etc. changing the pollen filter and spraying air freshener into the fan whilst the filter is out can help alot however.

[senator]

Contact a vendor on here Called Garage 88, they have sourced a revised OEM O2 sensor which ensure that problem will not return… Subaru Australia don’t stock the revised sensor

[GTB-R]

Just curious to know where the fuel filter is located?

[garbo41610]

I was really hoping this was going to be a thread on masturbation.

[Dropz]

in the fuel tank. you need to remove the cradle from the tank, and completely remove and dismantle the pump and filter assembly to change it.

First attempt can take 1-2 hours. be gentle on all the clips as they can get very brittle from soaking in fuel. I've seen a walk through on the forum somewhere, a simple search should find it.