VR6 operating and service costs

[NickM91]

Thanks for the input! I will have another talk with him..

About the servicing side, whats the difficulty of changing things like spark plugs, filters etc. I'd imagine as someone mentioned i'd need a set of specialised tools.

I've changed plugs and leads on small outboard marine engines, how does it compare in the vr6? Air filter is another easy one.I'll definetly look into the service manual. I suppose to do a lot, you need jacks and stands to get under the car. Something, tbh, i'm not super keen about.

I know its about finding the right mechanic, but would most be fine installing/using parts you've purchased yourself?

Thanks

cheers

[Mrk_Mickey]

Getting under the car can come quite frequent if you learn as you go along I spend most saturdays cleaning and then fixing little things here and there, that sort of stuff. I bought a good jack and I borrow jackstands when I need to and stuff.

Servicing the VR6 is not hard at all. To do a full service which to me would include oil, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs, fuel filter and a coolant flush, it's just these steps:

jack the car up and drain the oil
take the oil filter off (with a 36mm spanner...quite large lol) and make sure to catch the oil that comes out of that
let those both drain, and pull the oil filter out and put the new one in
fill up 5.7 litres of oil

take off the two or three clips for the air filter, take the old one out and put the new one in, put the clips on

take the 6 spark leads out, unscrew the spark plugs and replace and put the leads on. Don't do the spark plugs up TOO tight..

Go to the back right of the car, jack it up and take the hose clamps/bolts off the fuel filter sitting underneath the car near the wheel, let the excess fuel dribble out of the lines and replace with a new filter, the right way around (the arrow shows fuel direction).

Throw some coolant flush into the system and run the car for however long it says. take off the hose at the bottom right of the radiator and let it drain (into something, not just a drain). Flush it with water while the car is on (just stick a hose into the expansion tank) then let that just drain out, then fill it up with a coolant mix (they usually say like 3litres to 6 or 7 litres of water, and our coolant system is 10 litres).

Easy! Just fiddly and it will take time. Nothing difficult about it though, and you learn lots as you go along and do stuff yourself

Oh and the tools you'll need for that are:
1.2 inch socket ratchet
18 mm socket (I think that's what the oil plug is)
36mm spanner or socket for the oil filter
large flathead screwdriver
phillips head screwdriver
16mm spark plug socket (they come with all socket sets really..) and some extensions to get into the holes (they come with a set too)
you can use a spark lead remover if you want, which i would personally advise, but if you can't get one then just be patient and careful with your leads.

[VR6child]

P.s. his other gripes include:
[*]It's too small
Seats four comfortably, five if you have to. If you dont put a sub in your boot it holds luggage fine, you can also remove the parcel shelf or fold down the back seats.
[*]It's too noisey

Only on modified exhaust.
[*]It's too expensive

Not if you know where to go for parts and you do some DIY.
[*]it's unsafe

Dual airbags, abs. Three star rating.
[*]its too quick for you

It's moderately quick, and only fwd.
[*]it'll break on you

Yes but thats half the fun
[*]it'll cost you an arm and a leg
do work
[*]where are you getting the money for this from
work
[*]focus on your studies, you'll forget about cars soon don't worry
whatever[*]etc etc etc[/LIST]

Not so bad.....

[peedman]

Good thing about these mk3's is that if you've got a problem, someone else is likely to have had the same problem and posted it up either here or on vortex so u can fix it urself. Ive had 3 so far and still loving it

[NickM91]

Thanks for the help, well as well as my current job, i've lined up a few other jobs that'll give me good money, also as encouragement my dad is offering me a money payout depending on my hsc results, the better i go, the more he'll give me in an exponential fashion.

Mickey, i understand your friends with my friend martin (veedubs), or atleast met him, i'm sure i'll meet you through him at some stage but yeah, my point is when i get the car, you could perhaps help me with a few of the things you mentioned. Will save me a bit of money on the big service i plan on putting it through when i get it.

Cheers

[Mrk_Mickey]

Haha yeah if I can find the time I don't have Nah I'm always happy to help here and there.

It isn't too hard to get the hang of little things like servicing. It's like riding a bike!

[NickM91]

yeah thanks man, was good meeting u the other night haha, anyways yeah i can buy about a 5th or a 6th of a vr6 atm.. the joys of saving..