DIY Servicing Advice

[iantek]

Hello there! This is my first post but I've been reading some of the threads and generally trying to learn a bit more about the 406.

I've always wanted to have a crack at servicing my own car so purchased the Haynes manual for my 406 and had a bit of a read up. Haynes describe servicing (oil change and the usual filters) as being very easy but I'm still a little wary. I've yet to purchase a jack, axle stands and service items but I was just after a bit of advice on what the best place to get service items from and generally, is there anything to look out for out of the ordinary?

Cheers!

Iantek.

[FarmerPug]

The 406 is a very easy car to service, i do a service about may every year, or 10,000 miles, the oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, and pollen filter are the main items that get changed.

I bought the stuff out of my local motor factors, the filters were Mahle, and the oil was comma i think 10-40, ebay is ok but its much easier to get the wrong parts, the people in most decent motor factors know the parts they are selling and the subtle differences different cars have such as the bosch or lucas filters etc.

Here is a video i made a while back when i serviced my car:
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This was an improved version i did a year after the first video:
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[lozz]

Euro car part's is best place Atm for service item's oil/filters etc,

30% off with pat30 discount code,

[Doggy]

Hi & welcome aboard.

The others have given you good advice. One point with your later model HDI 90, you need to be careful and get a good seal on your fuel filter or you are likely to have starting problems after changing fuel filters.

I thoroughly recommend getting the hang of DIY servicing, but don't hesitate to ask questions if you're unsure about anything - no one knows it all and the only stupid question is one you don't ask.

[kris]

I have a (stupid ) question on this subject it thats ok?

Do aftermarket performance air filters make a differance on diesel engines?

[Doggy]

Short answer, no. The std item's fine so long as it's changed when necessary - I do mine every 2nd oil change, or about 20k / 9 months.

[dave406]

What sump key will i need?

[D4B]

I too am a new owner of a 406, and will shortly be doing my first DIY service on it so I will watch this thread with
interest cheers Steve

[Doggy]

What sump key will i need?

All 3 of my HDi's have used an 8 mm allen key, but I understand they're not all the same.

[dave406]

Ok time to look

[Quinny]

Make friends with, and support your local motor factors for your parts.

I use a good 10/40 oil in mine, and have done with all of my diesel cars over the years, and have had no problems. Avoid using the supermarket £2.99 crap.

A full service on average takes me around an hour, with a cup of tea in between and a chat with my neighbour, and I usually start off with draining the oil, and doing the other things while it's draining.

And while your in the engine bay, change the one filter that mostly gets overlooked, and that's the pollen filter. Should take all of 2 minutes to do, if your slow.

[GingerMagic]

I have just been online to Europarts and with the code 'pat30' ( thanks Lozz ) I got a fuel filter, air filter and both front lower ball-joints ( Lemforder ones ) for less than £25.

Bargain.

Also, it is easier to remove the fuel filter housing - 2 10mm bolts - and then remove the lid when its off, as it is a bugger to get a good grip on when its still attached to the engine....

[iantek]

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement and thanks for the welcome! I think I'm on a Mahle fuel pump so I'll get the required filter (though on Euro car parts they only list Bosch or Siemens?)

I'm a total novice and have stuck to straight forward jobs where only a screw driver was needed in the past. I've wanted to service my own cars for a while, but I have a really good local garage who I trust and who have really fair prices, so I've been happy to take my cars to them.

I've never lifted a car onto axle stands before, can this be done on a sloping drive? Its not a steep slope but I'd rather do it on my own property, though I can do it over the pavement which is level as I live in a cul-de-sac.

Cheers!

Ian.

[iantek]

Thanks for the videos Farmerpug, they are most informative! I'll have them on a loop whilst I'm giving it a go!

[jasper5]

Do NOT jack up your car or place axle stands underneath on a sloping drive!!!!