Vehicle maintenance: change spark plugs and air filter, change oil and pay attention to warning signs

Buying a cheap car can be expensive if you don't respect an old treasure. Conversely, providing a low-budget car with the necessary car service will bring you gratitude. Read everything you need to know about buying a used car in this article.

£500 car adventure

A £500 car is a class of its own: while other cars cost their owners tens of thousands of pounds, low budget fans driving around for the price of a set of wheel caps. Once these ultra-cheap cars have been pre-tested, they can often be made fit for years with a few simple steps.

Car maintenance: measures for a new starting point

There is a reason cars are offered cheaply: they are no longer loved . Sometimes the previous owners deprive them of months or even years of necessary care. Therefore, it is all the more important to bring them into zero state in technical sense . This is a certain moment or mileage, based on which the new owner can calculate the maintenance intervals for the car.

The most important measures for the new starting point are:

Major cleaning of the engine Replacing all filters Replacing spark plugs, distributor caps, ignition wires and, if necessary, circuit breakers Changing all fluids

Breathe and let breathe: filters

The most important filter in a car is the engine air filter. It is under a plastic cover in the engine bay. Depending on the type of car, its body is fixed with screws or simple clips. The housing opens and the filter is removed. After opening the housing, check the condition of the filter: if the filter is contaminated with oil, there may be several reasons:

– Engine leaks oil and sucks in oily air – Cylinder head gasket defective – Clogged engine ventilation - Clogged EGR valve - Defective valve stem seals – The car has damaged valves – Worn plunger rings

In a car that has not been serviced for years, a light oil film can hardly be avoided. However, an air filter floating in oil and soaked in oil is a clear sign of more serious damage.

Tip: Always check the oil filter and vehicle service conditions when buying a used car. Do not buy a car with such damage!

A lightly oily air filter housing must be cleaned before installing a new air filter. If using brake cleaner, let it evaporate before starting the engine. Other filters in the car: cabin filter, air conditioner filter, fuel filter, cabin filter, etc. e. Replacing all filters significantly improves the comfort and economy of the car.

Make it light up again

Replacing spark plugs is part of buying an old car. This has often been delayed for years, so a replacement is always justified. Always check your vehicle's registration number when purchasing a new spark plug, rather than showing your old spark plug to an accessory dealer. The previous owner may well have installed the wrong spark plugs. When replacing, checking the old spark plug can provide useful information:

Deposits: spark plugs have not been changed for years, low-quality fuel was used, piston rings or cylinder head gaskets were defective.

Soot stained: the vehicle has only been used for short distances or the spark plug has the wrong calorific value.

With oil stains: spark plug or ignition cable is defective, cylinder does not ignite. Ignition maintenance can result in performance improvements of up to 30%.

Replacing the spark plug is very easy . It is loosened with a fitting wrench and replaced with a new one. Screwing must be done by hand. Breaking a spark plug is a very expensive pleasure. The spark plug must be drilled out and a new thread cut. In an old car, this would mean a complete financial loss. Ignition cables and distributor cap together cost just £45 for most vehicles. After replacing them, the car is like new in this regard. Servicing the circuit breaker requires additional knowledge. They are located under the distributor cap. However, the ignition system with automatic switches has long been outdated and is practically not used.

More than just an oil change

The most important fluids in a car are engine oil, coolant, and brake fluid. An oil change is part of buying a used car. This is especially true when the previous owner cannot tell you when it was last done. An oil change always goes hand in hand with an oil filter change.

The coolant is drained through the radiator drain plug. If the fluid is rusty red, flush and clean the cooling system. This happens when antifreeze has not been used and the car has been sitting for too long. Connect a garden hose to the coolant hose and flush with water until it no longer turns red. Note: there is also red antifreeze . However, it's more of a pink or cherry red hue, so it's easy to tell it apart from rusty iron.
If the coolant has a deep rusty color, a thorough radiator cleaning is a good idea. A brand-name radiator cleaner costs just £7-13 and can greatly extend the life of your vehicle.

We recommend changing the brake fluid in the garage. The brake is the most important part of the car and should only be handled by professional mechanics. If cost is an issue, at least the water content of the brake oil should be checked: the proper tool costs just £6 and provides the confidence you need. If the brake fluid is already green, replacement is the only option.

If the car sounds somewhat asthmatic and shifting is difficult, changing the gear oil should help.
This is a rather difficult task, but with the right experience and tools, the master will be able to complete it.
Fresh gear oil can do wonders for an old car.

Timing belts, brakes and tires

If it is not possible to determine when the timing belt was last changed, there is only one solution left: replacing the entire attachment . Belt, belt pulley, water pump must be replaced with a new set. This provides the necessary guarantee of performance and security and protects against unpleasant surprises.

Brakes need to be checked . Ideally, brake discs and linings are replaced. Currently, the prices for online shipment of these parts are really moderate. There is no reason to drive with brakes that have reached their wear limit.

The same applies to tyres: new tires can be purchased for £18. Professional assembly, alignment and disposal of old tires are included in the £13 fee. This gives you new tires and you don't have to worry about corners and water on the road.

New battery for cold winters

In older cars, a battery change is required before winterif the battery is the same age as the car. There is nothing more frustrating than a car refusing to start due to a battery that has been weakened by age. New batteries are available starting at £37. Even the cheapest battery is better than a defective one. Don't forget to recycle your old battery.

Providing long lasting lighting

Equipping turn signals, tail lights and brake lights with LED lamps provides a reliable solution. The advantage of these bulbs is that they last long enough for you to use them in your next car. . The condition of your headlight bulb covers can be greatly improved by polishing them with an old toothbrush and white toothpaste. The LED dash lights are a real improvement. When replacing lamps, you will notice that most of the old lamps have burned out. This makes driving in the dark a real adventure.

Have courage with car service!

A big advantage of ultra-cheap low-budget cars is that you can tinker with them endlessly. The fear of damaging a precious car does not apply to cars in the €500 price range. Grab your toolbox and grinder and start working on this old machine. You can only learn and expand your knowledge. Many have discovered their love for mechanics by fiddling with an old car, why not you?