Fix my own car or get a mechanic? Help.

jc0481 · Feb 24, 2013, 10:53 PM

Hello all,

I own a 2008 Mazda Tribute. I want to replace the PCV Valve on my vehicle. The bad news is the PCV Valve sits right underneath the intake manifold. I have never done this before and I don't have all the tools. I just own a 125-piece tool set from Home Depot. But I can buy the factory service manual from Ebay. It's the same exact manual the Mazda Mechanics use at the dealership. It costs $110 and $14 S & H.

I know I can rent tools from the auto parts store. I have all the parts I need. I have the PCV Valve, PCV Hose and the intake manifold gasket set.

I'm trying to save money and really want to do it myself. It will be a great learning experience. Unfortunately it's our only car. But I do know it will take longer than getting a qualified mechanic and it will cost more money if I get a mechanic. By the way the mechanic is a acquaintance of mine. Worked for many car places and has experience. He will be doing this as a side job. So it will be cheaper than the shop rate.

So I'm not sure what is the cheapest route to take hire the mechanic I know or do it myself?

Jessica Lares · Feb 25, 2013, 08:21 AM

Let the mechanic do it. You will end up wasting more money doing it yourself considering you might have to rent some tools out and buy a manual. They sell a lot of junk at some stores too, my dad found that out last year when he tried to replace something and it was either too small or flimsy.

roadbloc · Feb 25, 2013, 08:45 AM

Do you know the problem with your car?
Do you know how to fix it?
Do you have the resources to fix it?

If you answered no to any of these questions, I'd get a mechanic. It'll save you a lot of hassle.

ucfgrad93 · Feb 25, 2013, 09:14 AM

I'd never try and do something like that on my own. I say mechanic especially considering it is your only car.

Muscle Master · Feb 25, 2013, 10:48 AM

On the other side of the coin.. That sounds really easy to do

zioxide · Feb 25, 2013, 11:05 AM

PCV valve is like the easiest thing to swap out in a car.

Don't waste your money on a factory repair book either, you can probably find a Chilton book or something for like 20 bucks.

PracticalMac · Feb 25, 2013, 11:28 AM

No info on net on how to replace?

jc0481 · Feb 26, 2013, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PracticalMac

No info on net on how to replace?

Nope nothing. Please let me know if you do find something. I did find some but it's for the older Mazda Tribute models. Not the 2008 model.

I have looked at a Haynes manual but very vague on the repairs I need to do. I will look into Chilton.

PracticalMac · Feb 27, 2013, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jc0481

Nope nothing. Please let me know if you do find something. I did find some but it's for the older Mazda Tribute models. Not the 2008 model.

I have looked at a Haynes manual but very vague on the repairs I need to do. I will look into Chilton.

This has to be you.

See this?

And this?

jc0481 · Feb 27, 2013, 07:38 AM

Yes it is! Do you have the Gadgetman Groove on your vehicle?

View Poll Results: Which option should I take to repair my vehicle?
Fix the vehicle myself	5	31.25%
Hire a mechanic	11	68.75%
Voters: 16. You may not vote on this poll

Feb 24, 2013, 10:53 PM	#1
jc0481 macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2005	Fix my own car or get a mechanic? Help. Hello all, I own a 2008 Mazda Tribute. I want to replace the PCV Valve on my vehicle. The bad news is the PCV Valve sits right underneath the intake manifold. I have never done this before and I don't have all the tools. I just own a 125-piece tool set from Home Depot. But I can buy the factory service manual from Ebay. It's the same exact manual the Mazda Mechanics use at the dealership. It costs $110 and $14 S & H. I know I can rent tools from the auto parts store. I have all the parts I need. I have the PCV Valve, PCV Hose and the intake manifold gasket set. I'm trying to save money and really want to do it myself. It will be a great learning experience. Unfortunately it's our only car. But I do know it will take longer than getting a qualified mechanic and it will cost more money if I get a mechanic. By the way the mechanic is a acquaintance of mine. Worked for many car places and has experience. He will be doing this as a side job. So it will be cheaper than the shop rate. So I'm not sure what is the cheapest route to take hire the mechanic I know or do it myself?
	0

Feb 25, 2013, 08:21 AM	#2
Jessica Lares macrumors 68030 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Near Dallas, Texas, USA	Let the mechanic do it. You will end up wasting more money doing it yourself considering you might have to rent some tools out and buy a manual. They sell a lot of junk at some stores too, my dad found that out last year when he tried to replace something and it was either too small or flimsy. __________________  Have You Hugged Your Mac Today? Daily Expressions \| Power Mac G5 \| Late 2011 13" MacBook Pro \| iPod Nano (7G) \| iPod Shuffle (2012) \| iPad Mini
	0

Feb 25, 2013, 08:45 AM	#3
roadbloc macrumors 603 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: UK	Do you know the problem with your car? Do you know how to fix it? Do you have the resources to fix it? If you answered no to any of these questions, I'd get a mechanic. It'll save you a lot of hassle. __________________ Roadbloc
	0

Feb 25, 2013, 10:48 AM	#5
Muscle Master macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Philadelphia	On the other side of the coin.. That sounds really easy to do __________________ Apple Macbook Pro Retina '13 (Late 2012) OS X Mountain Lion / Intel Core i5-3210M @ 3.1GHz / 8GB DDR3 1600MHz / Retina Display @ 2560x1600 / 128GB Solid State Drive \| Black iPhone 5 16GB
	1

Feb 25, 2013, 09:14 AM	#4
ucfgrad93 macrumors G4 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Colorado	I'd never try and do something like that on my own. I say mechanic especially considering it is your only car.
	0

Feb 25, 2013, 11:05 AM	#6
zioxide macrumors 603 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Massachusetts	PCV valve is like the easiest thing to swap out in a car. Don't waste your money on a factory repair book either, you can probably find a Chilton book or something for like 20 bucks.
	1

Feb 25, 2013, 11:28 AM	#7
PracticalMac macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jan 2009	No info on net on how to replace? __________________ FireWire 1394 Intelligent network guaranteed data transfer, 1500mA power, Ethernet compatible Read: 160 files, 650MB total, *FW400 70% faster* then USB2** Write: 160 files, 650MB total, FW400 48% faster
	0

Feb 27, 2013, 07:38 AM	#10
jc0481 Thread Starter macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2005	Yes it is! Do you have the Gadgetman Groove on your vehicle?
	0

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