Better Put Your Tools Away
Sometimes, it can cost an absolute fortune to repair your car. Trips to the local mechanic don't always come cheap! But it beats going down the DIY route, folks. Certain fixes are definitely best left to the professionals — otherwise you could be saddled with an even bigger problem in the future. So, we're going to guide you through the DIY repairs to avoid right here.
Performing an Engine Diagnostic
How hard can it be to perform an engine diagnostic? Very! If your check engine light flashes on, resist the urge to go digging around under the hood to spot the issue. That's a sure-fire way of causing major damage. The light could indicate a minor or serious problem, so seek out a professional to pin it down.
Repairing the AC Unit
Is your car's AC unit on the fritz? If so, take it down to the local repair shop. This isn't a DIY job, folks — one small mistake could mess everything up. Then, before you know it, you may need to replace the whole unit. And they don't come cheap.
Replacing the Brakes
We'll be blunt here — replacing the brakes on a car is a huge job. And we mean huge. Experienced mechanics know how to handle the process from start to finish. Can you say the same? Even if you feel confident, this isn't a DIY task in the slightest. Take it to the shop!
Installing a New Radio
Are you looking to install a new radio in your car? Cool! Here's a word of advice, though — don't do it yourself. This job isn't as easy as it looks. There's lots of wiring involved, meaning one slip up could cause a short circuit or an electrical fire. Is it worth the risk?
Repairing the Windshield
Anyone can repair a car windshield, right? Nope! Sure, you can buy epoxy at the store to treat cracks or chips, but it doesn't always work. In fact, the damage could get worse. If that happens, you might need to replace the whole windshield. And boy, are they pricey.
Removing Exterior Rust
Removing exterior rust seems fairly straightforward. All you've got to do is target the area with a sandblaster and buff it out. But is this really a DIY job? If you're not comfortable using the tool, you could easily damage the car's body and be left with an even bigger repair bill.
Fixing the Clutch
The clutch is arguably one of the trickiest things to repair inside a car. So yes, that means DIY fixes are off the table! From finding the correct alignment to removing the transmission, it's a very difficult process. Only professional mechanics should be trusted with this particular job, folks.
Repairing a Loose Car Seat
Tempted to tighten up that pesky loose car seat by yourself? Well, take it from us folks — don't! By messing around with the bolts inside the seat, you could make the problem much worse. Just visit your local mechanic instead.
Replacing the Timing Belt
Timing belts are extremely hard to replace. Given their position under the hood, a good chunk of the engine needs to be taken apart to get close to them. So you can probably guess why this isn't a DIY job! Putting an engine back together is tough, to say the least.
Realigning the Wheels
If your wheels come out of alignment on the road, you might fancy fixing them yourself. All you need is a jack and a toolbox, right? Wrong! This job often requires specialist kit only found inside a mechanic's shop. So it's probably wise to leave it with them.
Replacing the Shock Absorbers
Unless you're professionally trained, you shouldn't try to replace the shock absorbers under your vehicle. So much can go wrong here. A slight error could ruin the entire suspension system, which is bad news for the car and your wallet! It's not the safest of jobs to pull off, either.
Installing a New DVD Player
Much like installing an updated radio, fitting a new DVD player inside your car isn't the easiest of jobs, either. When it comes to fiddling with electrical wiring, you don't want to do that yourself! Instead, take your motor to the shop and get a professional to install it for you.
Repairing the Windows
If you thought repairing your car windows was a realistic DIY job, we've got some bad news to share. It isn't! This complex task requires specific tools wielded by an experienced hand. Do you really want to mess it up and be left with a larger bill than necessary?
Fixing Faulty Electronics
Unlike the motors of the past, modern cars are jam-packed with electronic gadgets now. They're really cool — when they work, anyway! Fixing faulty electronics inside your vehicle can be tricky, so we wouldn't advise going down the DIY route. You'll have much better luck at a local shop.
Replacing the Radiator
When it comes to reeling off DIY car jobs to avoid, replacing the radiator is near the top of that list. It's a tough one! If it isn't properly connected to the engine, your vehicle will be in big trouble. We're talking busted engine levels of bother here, folks.
Repairing the Head Gasket
Repairing a blown head gasket is no joke. If you're a professional, it can take up to 25 hours to fix at a shop. Nope, that's not a typo! So the DIY route is completely off-limits here. A simple mistake might leave your engine in ruins.
Replacing the Fuel Pump
There's no other way of saying it, folks — fuel pumps aren't cheap to replace. The shop costs usually reach around $2,000 or so. But it's pricey for a reason. A bad fuel pump replacement can ruin your car. DIYing it is out of the question!
Repairing the Bodywork and Paint Job
Have you ever thought about replacing damaged bodywork panels yourself? Well, it's probably best to leave that with a professional. It isn't the easiest of tasks! And the same can be said about DIYing the paint job, too. It's a very delicate process that could easily go wrong.
Fixing the Transmission
Fixing a faulty transmission can be an absolute nightmare. It might be the most complex component inside your car. So DIYing a repair is a no-go, then? You bet! Visiting a professional mechanic is your only real option here if you want the job done right.
Through: Martin Vorel