What can i fix? What should I get someone else to fix?

[powermixx]

I've got a general understanding of automotive repair, I've changed brake calipers years ago, spark plug replacement, wires, but that's about it.

I have an 02 E.B. Explorer (132K miles) that needs the following and I'm asking what can I do to save money. And what repairs should I let a mechanic or dealer do - because of it's complications, etc. The prices quoted are from the local Ford dealer.

Serpentine Belt $91
Radiator Replacement (with Radiator fluid) $617
Clean Fuel Injectors $100
Power Steering Fluid change $89
Rear Differential fluid change $117
PCV Hose Assy $110

What (if any) can I do myself? What do you recommend I let an expert mechanic handle? Thank you!

 

[jrford]

I have done a little more in my day, but wow, seems expensive. . . .

DIY $30 - Serpentine Belt $91
Possible, i'd do it my self - replacement Rad is only $136??? Radiator Replacement (with Radiator fluid) $617
Why, i never had to? Clean Fuel Injectors $100
Why, i never had to? Power Steering Fluid change $89
Yes if not done - Rear Differential fluid change $117
might be a real PIA to get to - PCV Hose Assy $110 _???maybe diy might want to search on that one.

When i say i never had to, in about the 20 cars/trucks/heeps in the last 30 years all well over 150k miles, i never had reason to.

Maybe someone else has a little different idea.

 

[aldive]

All of the tasks you listed are relatively simple. You should be able to DIY.

Good luck ...

 

[99ex22]

if you know how to change your own oil you can do all of the above except I would leave the rear diff service, fuel injectors, and power steering for the mechanic. You could do all of them if you do enough research on here though. Have you done a transmission service on it? I would recommend doing that too if you havn't.....It's a pretty simple DIY job.

 

[Limited02]

You can do it all yourself. The rear end you just need to unscrew the the lower drain plug with a 3/4 rachet I believe, let it drain, replug and remove the upper with 1/2 rachet and fill. I used a 3/8 rubber hose that I slipped over the differential fluid and squeezed the crap out of it. Do you really need to change the power steering fluid? Like everyone said, you can do most of this yourself. Just take a minute, look it over and if you really feel like you want to pay someone to do it, then do that. But the more you can learn to do yourself, the more you will save and better you will know your car.

 

[geneT]

I've got a general understanding of automotive repair, I've changed ...
What (if any) can I do myself? What do you recommend I let an expert mechanic handle? Thank you!

I've got similar thoughts ... and decided to let the dealer's shop folks do all the maintenance.
Rationale:

1. I've lost touch with current "state of the art" stuff, and no longer have proper place to do much more than change oil & filter.
2. One function of diving under/into the vehicle is to eyeball everything for impending problems ... and fix them before they happen - at which I'm decreasingly competent.
3. My oil & filter changes are needed a couple times a year, which has been sufficiently often for routine checkups (new, strange noises get their own attention).
4. For over 10 years, my dealer has proven ethical & expert & timely at not only repairs, but diagnosing impending failures ... as well as suggesting that some work is unnecessary! So I trust their team.

Pondering all this, last year I decided to hand even the oil & filter changes over to them as their opportunity to catch impending problems.

Yes, its more expensive for specific parts & labor.
BUT I'll argue that its cheaper (in dollars & time) for the total life of the vehicle, in that they catch & repair impending problems, using proper procedures so the repair "sticks".
And, yes, I'd still like to do it myself ...