Where to start learning about car maintenance as an absolute beginner.

So can anyone tell me what the rope is for on page 1 post #12? (if you're at work you obviously can't look now lol so thats fine too) Maybe I am being ignorant, but I never seen rope attached to a battery before.


berrypi said:
get a golf... been:whistle: making mechanics out of men since 1979
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Lol! I was considering a VW Beetle or a VW Golf. I would love to do all the work on my car myself, I hope this is the road to that lol.
Nicodeamus said:
I grew up in a very technical suburb of Pretoria and my dad taught me most of the stuff that I know. Fixing a car is like learning how computers work, it takes time, but eventually you will get the grasp of it.

Your first real lesson will be once your car fails.
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Maan that's so cool, wish my dad had taught me as a child, well I basically still am a child. I'm glad you said Opels are easy to work on since I really like the look of the Opel Astra, car has aged very well.
Nicodeamus said:
Golfs or Opels are really easy to work with. The Toyota Corolla (old models) are also relatively easy to understand.

I won't even try to change the wipes of a fancy mercedes, which is why I don't like buying expensive cars.
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That picture is a bit close-up to see what it is, try a more zoomed out one.

And yes, that's where the windscreen washer water goes.
 
That piece of string is holding something in place. Obviously a clip broke or something.
 
120jhms.jpg


Is this better?

Sinbad said:
That piece of string is holding something in place. Obviously a clip broke or something.
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Ahh alright, damn wonder if it's been there since we bought the car or if it broke while the mechanic was working on it.

And if I never opened it I wouldn't even have known! Thanks Sinbad :D
 
Looks like the string is keeping the battery from rocking back and forth? Check that the metal loop that ties the battery down is secure correctly

EDIT: is it tied to the radiator fan fuse assy?
 
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wabbit16 said:
Looks like the string is keeping the battery from rocking back and forth? Check that the metal loop that ties the battery down is secure correctly

EDIT: is it tied to the radiator fan fuse assy?
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Err I can't say, but it definitely looks like the battery was loose at some point in time, the battery seems to be glued to the metal case it's in, I see white hard stuff sticking out the bottom, like when you put pressure on ticky tack, it squishes out the sides of your finger, same effect.

Dunno what it means though, I took a picture.

260twft.jpg

jie34m.jpg

XennoX said:
SLK320? ML320? (It's the only Mercs I know of off hand that use that motor)



Jeebus. So many god damn pipes. When was the last time you did an engine wash?
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I don't know what that is, if you mean literally wash it, then no, I never have.
 
That string is holding the fuse box. Dont worry about it. Clip most likely broke.

Get the Golf, there are virtually TONS of resources and parts. Just make sure you have enough airtime... they like to "park" at the wrong times.

The washer fluid... thats the yellow cap, pop it open, and fill it. Battery looks new. So doubt it needs battery fluid. If you do, use distilled water NOT the stuff you get at the garage.
 
UsernameLadiesMan217 said:
Err I can't say, but it definitely looks like the battery was loose at some point in time, the battery seems to be glued to the metal case it's in, I see white hard stuff sticking out the bottom, like when you put pressure on ticky tack, it squishes out the sides of your finger, same effect.

Dunno what it means though, I took a picture.

260twft.jpg

jie34m.jpg
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That looks like Prestik.

UsernameLadiesMan217 said:
I don't know what that is, if you mean literally wash it, then no, I never have.
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OK. Engine washing uses a high pressure washer to wash away dirt and gunk in the engine.
 
UsernameLadiesMan217 said:
Err I can't say, but it definitely looks like the battery was loose at some point in time, the battery seems to be glued to the metal case it's in, I see white hard stuff sticking out the bottom, like when you put pressure on ticky tack, it squishes out the sides of your finger, same effect.

Dunno what it means though, I took a picture.

260twft.jpg

jie34m.jpg



I don't know what that is, if you mean literally wash it, then no, I never have.
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Ok, there is no battery bracket.. you from the Cape? I buy my batteries from CAE - so yes its most likely stuck down. Like most things..... if it aint broke... dont fix it
 
XennoX said:
That looks like Prestik.



OK. Engine washing uses a high pressure washer to wash away dirt and gunk in the engine.
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Also, don't do this. Water gets in where it shouldn't and causes more headaches than its worth.
 
It's interesting to note how the fuses hang off the battery in your car.

Also, just watch out as that white stuff looks a lot like corrosion to me (difficult to tell from the pics). Although you said it was squishy so probably is glue or smth
 
berrypi said:
That string is holding the fuse box. Dont worry about it. Clip most likely broke.

Get the Golf, there are virtually TONS of resources and parts. Just make sure you have enough airtime... they like to "park" at the wrong times.

The washer fluid... thats the yellow cap, pop it open, and fill it. Battery looks new. So doubt it needs battery fluid. If you do, use distilled water NOT the stuff you get at the garage.
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Awesome! Thanks so much! :D Makes me feel better knowing the battery doesn't have issues!

Cool so I can fill up the wiper water, I feel less useless now.

So can I get a really old Golf? Sadly my budget is like R30k for a car and that'll be at the end of December.
 
berrypi said:
Ok, there is no battery bracket.. you from the Cape? I buy my batteries from CAE - so yes its most likely stuck down. Like most things..... if it aint broke... dont fix it
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Cool, so I assume CAE are good. I can use them forever!

Yeah I am in Cape Town Northern Suburbs.
 
I usually watch a Youtube video for the exact car (or something close) to get some tips.

Eg, one the guy cut his own wooden ramps (just wooden blocks with a triangle ramp). This is to give yourself a few cm extra space for changing oil. I just packed a brick in front of each wheel and drove onto it. (waiting to be told how dumb this is)
 
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