How has the internet helped you make a car repair

[Joe1]

I am not mechanically inclined, but I have found a wealth of information online in helping diagnose/repair automotive issues.

I was curious to know what automotive information others have found online that allowed them to perform an automotive task that they would have never figured out on their own.

Here are a few of my recent finds:

- Found illustrated instructions for replacing a cabin air filter in my fathers Subaru. My father was elated to be able to do this himself.

- Somebody posted their solution with explicit pictures on how to tighten screws in their fuel line on a Subaru to prevent gas odor in the cabin on extremely cold days. I was able to tighten a few screws in under a minute to solve my issue. It saved me a costly trip to the mechanic. I would have never been able to figure this out on my own.

 

[Quest]

yes and no.

Yes because I'm able to locate certain factory TSB for the cars I serviced/maintained, and also certain sections of factory service manual (e.g. Toy Camry 5generation)

No because some of the repair instructions/information are misleading.

Q.

 

[wrcsixeight]

Vehicular specific forums can be great because other members might know the answer before finishing reading the sentence.

I've learned vast amounts about mine and other vehicles online. One must be leery of conflicting info. Deciding what reply/review to follow based on grammar and spelling might work okay with conflicting electronics reviews, but there are some thoroughly knowledgeable wrench turners/ mechanical diagnosticians who don't rite and spel so good see.

My first and biggest internet automotive experience was in 2002 when I was getting a horrible case of Torque converter clutch chatter on a rebuilt transmission just out of warranty.

Online I found out how peculiar Chrysler Transmissions are about having the right Transmission fluid, and I had my Bulk repair shop fluid exchanged with ATF+3 and the shuddering has never returned.

The transmission shop was adamant I destroyed my transmission and I needed another rebuild, pronto. That was 60 k shudder free miles ago.

 

[SteveSRT8]

I also view it as a mixed bag. It's great to have access to formerly secret TSB's, but many helpful members sometimes omit important details!

 

[dwcopple]

yes, absolutely. The internet basically has everything you need. You just have to figure out how to access it. It's out there.

 

[Colt45ws]

Yup. Before I started looking stuff up on the internet I didnt know how to change oil. Now Ive done head jobs, modified trans valve bodies...

 

[01rangerxl]

There are several large forums for Ranger owners, and many of them have libraries of "how to" guides, complete with pictures. Whether you need to replace a dome light bulb or do an SAS (solid axle swap) with a Dana 44, there's a how to guide on one of the Ranger sites.

 

[sciphi]

It's helped me a ton. Forums like this one and more model-specific forums have helped me diagnose/repair problems. Often people post write-ups on how to do something. That's helped me save a boatload of money over the years from repairs and preventative maintenance helping me keep my car on the road.

 

[eljefino]

It's a huge gain in confidence to see other regular joes do something moderately involved while taking pictures and doing a write up. A properly written how-to includes tough spots where stuff rusts/breaks that the FSM pays little attention to.

I was reading on allpar a decade ago about the "slip n slide" shortcut to putting a head gasket in a dodge 2.5. I got a 94 Spirit real cheap, followed the technique, drove it around a couple months, and sold it at a profit.

 

[QuadDriver]

you get what you pay for. sometimes you get a lot, sometimes you dont. It helps to know where to look.

 

[Kestas]

Where do I begin? The internet has made car repair incredibly more tolerable.

I could afford to own and maintain my Mercedes - which is rather needy - without the internet to guide me through repairs.

Long before the internet, I always dreamt that someone would print a publication with common problems and their repair, specific to certain models, instead of having to 'reinvent the wheel'. My prayers were answered when automotive forums came of age.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Not only there are a good amount of info about car repair/maintenance but there are good info about DIY for home owners and many other things.

The info is out there, all you need is to search with the correct term.

 

[MCompact]

The internet has been a big help for the few issues I've had on the Jeep. Ditto for the 2002. As regards the Mazda, the web has helped me realize I'm not the only owner who has been plagued with problems...

 

[mjoekingz28]

I have done a good job on changing suspension components that I never really even as so much gave a glance to when under the car because of 'videos by richpin'.

The internet really came into play when i got a motorbike a few years ago and really didnt know much about them.

Its kind of a mixed bag though. Seeing a step by step video tutorial and then doing it knowing what to expect is nice. But going at a job blindly and nailing it perfectly has a good feeling to it. Just finding what broke, removing it then installing the new one can be a joy and very rewarding. Its nice being independent but then again there's a greater chance of unforeseen dangers.

Either videos or asking a question and getting 5 members tell you the same thing adds a lot of confidence to something you may otherwise be too afraid to attempt is nice.

One thing that has not been too great on the net is troubleshooting. But its great to get ideas, brainstorm and learn new thought processes.

 

[CharBaby]

The internet and websites like this one have helped greatly. There is wealth of information on the net from those who have done the repairs before you have and maybe ever posted pictures.

Prior to the net, we as a group in our circle of friends, would trouble shoot issues together or by phone. Today, you find the information on the net and print it to take with you right on your repair site(garage floor/driveway).

And yes, I agree with those who have said...You can't find everything...It's there, you just have to know where to look and it may take longer.

I once had an issue with a car and could never find a cure in 10 years on the internet, only people with the same issue. Most of the problem was by design and the "suppossed cure" was marginal at best if at all from those who had tried it. This is a story in itself...

 

[terry274]

I have used the internet a LOT for car repairs. For instance, my stepson had a 1994 LeSabre that would randomly stop running, often as he was going down the road. It would start back if you waited awhile. I found on the internet that his model car had a ground connector under the driver side door threshold that would get wet and corrode. Repaired the ground connector and no more trouble til day he totaled the car by rear ending an SUV in the rain.
Terry

 

[widman]

In many ways. Most of my Corvair knowledge for the restoration came from corvaircenter.com. I've found BMW nod other brand solutions, too.

One of the reasons I post many solutions to my site.

 

[IndyIan]

Also its so easy to get a pdf FSM off ebay for almost anything.
I have one for almost everything now, cars, sleds, chainsaws, mower, and even appliances like my wifes kitchenaid.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Quite a few times for various applications actually. I find it especially helpful reading people's experiences with the repair than trying to find a factory service manual, because a lot of the 'challenges' are often highlighted.

 

[scurvy]

I've always found enthusiasts' "How-To" pictorials very handy when working on my cars and have made several myself to help out others. Certainly not a replacement for the factory manual but a good sanity check of how other folks are successfully doing their own repairs.

You always have to vet the source of information to make sure they know what they're talking about, but by and large most people that wind up doing a How-To tend to be knowledgeable, thorough & write clearly.