If you have the right tools any auto mechanic repair should be easy, however the room to work in the engine compartment is limited so take your time and never lose your temper. Take it from a person who has been there, once you lose your temper you have lost the battle and your car could cost you much more in the long run. What will you need if you are going to “do-it-yourself?” Well, every tool box must have the following essential tools when attempting any minor auto mechanic type task: common screwdriver (also called a flat blade screwdriver); phillips screwdriver (sometimes called a cross-point screwdriver); ¾ inch socket set (both metric and ASE or what we Americans always used before someone came up with the idea of putting foreign part on American cars); A ¾ inch ratchet (this is the device that turns the socket); though optional, very handy electric hand drill with screwdriver bits (both common and phillips); torques head bits (commonly referred to as “star” bits); if what you are doing is more important and the part must keep fluid contained in it, a torque wrench may be recommended (this tool will gauge the amount of “torque” that you need to apply to the bolt head and it is measured in foot pounds or inch pounds. Note: foot pounds in much more than inch pounds); open end / closed end wrenches both metric and ASE (these are those shiny tools that have a hole at one end and a u-shape at the other end and they come in handy for those tight spots that will be very hard to get to and what usually causes most of the stress during most repairs); a “do-it-yourself” manual that explains the basic concept of maintaining and performing limited auto mechanic tasks (one such manual is called Automotive Repair Manual by Haynes and you can find a copy of most domestic and/or import models at your local automotive parts store); and last but not least an oil rag(s) for the occasional yet unavoidable spill, or spills depending on your level of tidiness. Now there is a tool that is not cost effective if you are a do-it-yourselfer, however there is hope for you but your job may be a bit more problematic in that you will have to go to the auto parts store and ask for help, and if you are like me asking for help somehow defeats the purpose of doing it myself. Not to worry, you are only going to ask for limited help, so hang in there. Now since engines made today have come along way in their design, the need for the old-fashioned timing light has been replaced with the computer. If you have an automobile that was built after 1989, chances are you are going to find that you have an on board computer. Not to worry though, if you have a red message on your dash telling you to check your engine, go to that auto parts place down the street and ask the nice guy behind the counter that you would like to rent his computer for a while… if you are lucky and he finds you a nice person he/she may just offer to do a complementary check of your cars system free (it just depends on the store and their policies).
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