Episode 87

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Published on:

18th Jan 2024

How My Dumb Mistakes And Failures Can Save You Money, Time And Headaches On Your Next Automotive DIY Project

How My Dumb Mistakes And Failures Can Save You Money, Time And Headaches On Your Next Automotive DIY Project

00:00 - OPEN

In my experience, the best way to learn what to do (and what not to do) on any DIY project is to get advice from those who have actually done it before, and today you’re going to hear about a major DIY project I did on my 2008 Audi that dragged on for more than 5-months because I wasn't properly prepared and backed into it.

01:25 - INTRO

Not everyone feels comfortable working on their own car, but if you’re motivated to try, you could start with something simple, like an oil change or a coolant swap. If that's too simple, you could take on something more in-depth, like replacing your radiator along with the coolant or replacing brake pads and rotors. Those two DIY jobs are more difficult, but anyone with some mechanical aptitude, a suitable set of tools, and the right safety devices can manage those projects. My latest DIY Project was different though - not in terms of difficulty, but in terns of scope. It was a project that was going to require a lot more time and a lot more effort than I had planned on.

02:45 - My 2008 Audi S4 Avant DIY Project

After noticing some oil drops under my 2008 Audi S4 wagon, I decided it was time to do an engine reseal, replacing various gaskets and hoses that were leaking. The problem is, with a V8 crammed into the space originally meant for a 4-cylinder engine, there isn't much room to do the required work. The result? It was going to take much longer to replace various gaskets, hoses and other parts on the car than I originally estimated.

09:27 - Problems With My Approach

Because I didn't realize the full scope of my project, I didn't do all the necessary research up front. I wasn't honest with myself about how long the project would take to complete. didn't have a solid back up plan for transportation and I 'bit off more than I could chew' in the time I estimated it would take to complete.

11:15 - Seven Key Tips That Will Help Minimize Issues On Your Next DIY Project

  •  Know the scope of your project - Don’t back into a major project
  • Research how others have done the same project before starting
  •  Buy ALL necessary parts BEFORE starting the project
  • Buy/borrow all necessary tools BEFORE starting the project
  • Know how much time it will take to complete your project
  •  Have a Back-up Transportation Plan
  • Don’t bite off more than you can chew

31:35 - How Do You Insure DIY Project Success While Working? - Stay Organized!

  • Keep removed parts and pieces organized
  • Tag/photograph/ID part locations as you remove them
  • Keep your work space clean while you work and at the end of each work day
  • Keep your tools organized while you work and at the end of each work day

35:15 - Don't Forget About Safety

  • Buy/borrow a quality low-profile hydraulic jack to lift your vehicle
  • Used heavy-duty jack stands to support your vehicle
  • If possible, invest in or borrow something like a QuickJack to safely lift your vehicle
  • Have someone check on you periodically
  • Keep your phone within reach in case of emergency
  • Keep one or more fire extinguishers nearby (use an ABC type extinguisher)

40:15 - It's Not Over 'Till It's Over

  • Learn to embrace the fear of starting the engine the first time after assembly
  • Double check your work for loose parts/tools BEFORE starting the engine
  • Keep an OBD II scanner handy to quickly diagnose any issues
  • Drive it further each day over several days to confirm all is well
  • Sometimes,

46:45 - CLOSE

Hopefully hearing about my experience with a major DIY project will give you the wisdom and clarity to tackle your next project. If you're new to the DIY game, remember to start small, then take on more as your comfort level and skills progress. And if you are already in the DIY game like me, don't overestimate your ability or underestimate the scope of a bigger project. Take the time to research and prep before hand, then stay organized during your project. That should keep you on track to a successful outcome.

Good luck and I'll see you in the garage!

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About the Podcast

Better Than New
Find a cool used car, truck or SUV at a price you'll love
The average new car sales price in the US is nearly $50,000, and the average used vehicle sales price is close to $30,000... I think that's insane! Well if you're like me and you don’t want to pay these crazy inflated car prices, I believe you should still be able to drive something fun. That’s the idea behind Better Than New – a podcast to help you find a cool used car, truck or SUV at a price you’ll love.

I’m Gary Crenshaw, host of Better Than New and a long time automotive enthusiast, and I want to inspire car buyers on a budget to think differently about what they can actually afford to drive. My goal is to introduce listeners to the broad array of interesting, fun-to-drive, enthusiast-friendly used cars, trucks and SUVs available at prices just about anyone can afford… vehicles from the 80s, 90s, 2000s and beyond that offer buyers a wide range of interesting choices. Each week we’ll explore a specific vehicle or vehicle category, tell you what to look for and what to avoid, and give you practical tips to help you find your next cool used car, truck or SUV and keep it on the road for years to come.

With a little work, the joy of owning a cool used car at price you’ll love is within reach and this podcast is here to help you find it.

So hop in, buckle up and let's go for a drive!

About your host

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Gary Crenshaw

A lifelong lover of all things mechanical, Gary has spent the majority of his existence driving, dreaming about or wrenching on cars, motorcycles and even the occasional airplane.

It started with mini-bikes and go-karts as a kid, progressed to 2-stroke dirt bikes, followed by his first car… a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle. Then came the Yamaha era with several RD400s, RZ350s and a Canadian RD350LC (should have kept that!). A pilot’s license was next with some memorable hours flying a 1946 Aeronca Champ low and slow around the Pacific Northwest. While in college, his brother-in-law who sold high-end cars hired him to deliver BMW, Mercedes and Porsche vehicles to customers.

Those early experiences led to a lifetime of owning an eclectic mix of interesting used cars, including a ‘65 Mustang GT, a ’72 Datsun 510, a Porsche 914, a Celica Alltrac Turbo, a Mini Cooper S, a couple of Miata’s, two Audi S4 Avants, a Galant VR4, a Fiat 850 Spider, a 1983 Subaru 4x4 GL wagon and a first gen RX-7, along with dozens of daily driver cars and SUVs from Acura, Honda, Toyota and Mazda. And his favorite? Depends on when you ask, but that distinction likely goes to the Mazda RX-4 station wagon he learned to drive in. That fun-to-drive car combined Gary's passion for wagons, rotary engines and manual transmissions all in one.

So what about you? Which used car, truck or SUV would you love to own? Let’s find it together!