We always recommend doing the repairs on your car yourself, like carrying out regular vehicle servicing and even provide you with guides to make your job easier. But some vehicle repairs are too intricate, complicated, or borderline dangerous if not done properly and are beyond the scope of most average DIYers. Attempting to carry out complicated and technical tasks without prior knowledge or experience can end up costing you more in repairs than the actual mechanic’s labor, let alone the safety hazard that it will pose.
Plus, some service jobs require specialized tools and equipment that are only available at auto repair shops and dealerships. Especially in modern vehicles with their endless array of computerized gizmos and electronic bits that are only fixable with the right electrical tools exclusive to professional garages. Here we showcase a few jobs that are better left to the pros.
In this article:
1. Car Repairs You Should Never Do Yourself
- Timing Belt
- Head Gasket
- Spring/Shock Absorber
- HVAC System Components
- AC System Components
- Brake Lines
- Bodywork Repairs And Paint Jobs
- Windshield Repair
- Transmission
- Fuel Injection Components
- Engine
- Airbags & Seat Belts
- ECU Tuning
- Adding Induction Devices Like Turbo And Superchargers
1 10 Easy Tips To Boost Engine Performance
Timing Belt
The timing belt or chain controls the engine’s timing and synchronizes the cam and crankshaft. It is an essential engine component that requires proper replacement or the results are catastrophic. This is simply because if the crank and cam are not aligned properly, it can alter the timing of the valve’s movement. This misalignment can lead to valves and pistons colliding, which can cause severe damage to your engine or require extensive and expensive repairs. Therefore, a timing belt replacement job is best left to the professionals.
Head Gasket
A head gasket failure is one of the most challenging tasks even for a skilled mechanic as it requires hours of disassembly, making it very time-consuming. Depending on how hard it is to access the engine in your car, the mechanic may even have to remove the engine completely before attempting to swap the gasket, making the job all the more difficult. So if you find your engine’s head gasket is leaking, then have it replaced by a professional. This can help you save more in the long run.
Spring/Shock Absorber
The springs in your car support the entire weight of the vehicle, and so they are under immense compression force at any given moment. Consequently, the springs are loaded with energy and essentially act as projectiles waiting to set off when the support structure is released, which is usually the control arm or the shock absorber. Springs, shock absorbers, struts and control arms are major components that are very dangerous to repair without the right tools. Hence, we strongly recommend entrusting these repairs to your mechanic for safe and precise execution.
HVAC System Components
The heater core is tucked behind the dashboard and has lines running to the firewall. Due to its location, the heater core is very hard to access making the repair job extremely complicated. To access the core of the heater, you have to remove all the dashboard and HVAC system components, electricals, and then the dashboard. The complexity of the job is what makes this task difficult for most people. Even if you are able to pry apart all the components, putting them back in the right order is a huge task on its own. This is why heater core replacements are best performed by skilled mechanics.
Similarly, other HVAC system parts such as the blower motor and evaporator are situated behind the dashboard, making them challenging to reach for replacements that demand complete disassembly of the dashboard.
AC System Components
The AC lines contain pressurized freon or refrigerant which are harmful chemicals that can cause serious damage upon exposure. Whenever working on any AC system components in the car it’s essential to flush the freon before replacing any part, such as the car’s AC compressor. The removal and refilling process of the freon requires the use of special tools and technical expertise, making it crucial for AC-related tasks to be entrusted to professionals. Also, the freon needs to be disposed of properly and such disposal methods are only available at professional garages.
Brake Lines
The brake lines in modern cars carry pressurized hydraulic brake fluid within the brake line. Many contemporary vehicles feature solid brake lines that are precisely cut to size and strategically shaped to fit tight spaces. These lines have numerous bends and angles that are challenging to replicate, especially without the correct tools. Proper connectors and bungs are also essential to secure the lines to the cylinders. Given these complexities, replacing brake lines is a time-consuming and intricate task that demands accuracy for utmost safety. Therefore, it’s crucial to have this job done professionally.
Bodywork Repairs And Paint Jobs
Coming across poorly executed bodywork repairs is quite common, as they can significantly detract from the overall appearance of a car. Replacing bolt-on components like the vehicle’s fender, hood, and doors is a straightforward task that can be tackled on your own. However, more complex parts such as the quarter panel and roof demand extensive cutting, drilling, and welding to ensure accurate results. Accomplishing this requires a high level of technique, skill, and experience. For such intricate tasks, it’s advisable to seek the expertise of a bodywork specialist. Even addressing minor dents and scratches warrants special attention, as a subpar repair job can easily be discerned from a professionally executed one.
Even if the bodywork is executed correctly, achieving a flawless paint job is an endeavor nearly impossible with basic tools. Precisely formulated paint schemes are employed to achieve the precise color match for your vehicle, a feat that cannot be replicated using a spray paint can. This underscores the importance of entrusting paint jobs exclusively to skilled professionals, irrespective of the scale of the task at hand.
Windshield Repair
The windshield isn’t solely for visibility; it also functions as a structural component upholding the vehicle’s roof. Mishandling a windshield repair task might result in the need for a complete replacement. Extracting the windshield necessitates specialized tools and more than one pair of hands, all while exercising extreme caution. Reinstalling the new glass is equally intricate, as it must fit precisely and be bonded using the correct adhesive in the appropriate quantity to ensure a watertight seal. Entrusting such precision work to professionals offers the assurance of a skillfully executed job and proves to be a more cost-effective choice in the long term.
Transmission
The automotive transmission is one of the most complicated pieces of machinery in a vehicle. Be it manual or automatic, the transmission has several moving parts all interlocked in a complicated fashion. Even a small misplacement such as that of a cog can result in complete transmission failure, which is why it is best to leave the transmission alone. If you face transmission-related issues, make sure to let your mechanic take a look at it before you go about snooping.
Fuel Injection Components
Unlike the olden days where fixing the carburettor was a joy, modern cars with their fuel injection have completely different components at work that cannot be simply fixed with a spanner. Fuel injection demands the delivery of fuel at exceptionally high pressures and encompasses several intricate components, such as the fuel rail and injectors. These elements do not adhere to the same straightforward replacement procedure as a spark plug and, if not replaced correctly, can pose a significant safety risk. Any fuel delivery components like the fuel tank, fuel pump, injectors, rail and fuel lines must be professionally removed and installed.
Engine
The engine serves as the powerhouse of the vehicle. Each engine component is meticulously assembled to adhere to tight tolerances. Even a minor discrepancy in the placement of a bearing, ring, or the torque specification of a bolt can lead to catastrophic consequences. If your engine necessitates restoration, rebuilding, reboring, or any similar process, it’s advisable to entrust the task to a specialist for optimal outcomes and an extended engine lifespan.
Airbags & Seat Belts
Safety components are crucial parts that should never be tampered with, let alone replaced by amateurs. Replacing an airbag is a time-consuming process as it involves not only swapping the airbag unit but also repairing or replacing the entire dashboard or seats that the airbags have deployed through. Attempting to replace detonated or damaged airbags can not only be labor-intensive but also compromise the most vital aspect – safety. In most cases, deployed or damaged airbags trigger error codes that appear on the driver’s dashboard. Even after replacing the airbag or seatbelt, these error codes can persist, requiring diagnosis using electronic code readers and testing tools. Opting for a professionally executed task ensures the proper functioning of the system and reinstates the vehicle’s safety measures.
ECU Tuning
The ECU or Electronic Control Unit is the most important electrical component of most modern cars. The ECU controls, regulates, and supervises all the sensors and actuators in the vehicle and is responsible for maintaining optimal engine performance. Attempting to interpret ECU (Engine Control Unit) readings and making adjustments to various timings is a hazardous endeavor for inexperienced individuals and can lead to catastrophic outcomes. ECU tuning is an intricate process that should exclusively be undertaken by highly specialized and certified mechanics. While reading ECU error codes might seem straightforward, delving into ECU tuning or repair is an entirely distinct matter. Basic code readers are ill-suited for ECU tuning and should never be employed without the requisite expertise.
Adding Induction Devices Like Turbo And Superchargers
Certainly, we all desire increased engine power, but the question is, at what trade-off? Performance over safety is not a wise choice and here’s why. Introducing a turbo or supercharger into an engine induces a lot of extra stress and strain on all the engine components. There are a lot of considerations like engine reinforcements, mounting locations, plumbing, electricals, etc. that need to be done before the turbo and supercharger are fitted to the engine. After adding the devices, the engine has to be tuned and recalibrated to match the inputs of the forced induction device. The process of incorporating induction devices is far more intricate than it may seem and requires meticulous strategizing and integration to achieve a successful outcome. Consequently, it is strongly recommended to seek guidance from professionals for such tasks. While it’s now common to encounter a variety of off-the-shelf turbocharger and supercharger kits designed for popular engines, complete with installation instructions, these kits can only provide limited assistance. Undertaking the installation process demands substantial knowledge, specialized tools, and a considerable amount of time. Moreover, the outcomes may not be as rewarding as anticipated.
Conversely, a professional possesses the expertise to execute the job accurately and efficiently, all while upholding the vehicle’s safety. They can complete the task in a fraction of the time and ensure that the vehicle’s performance enhancements are achieved without compromising safety.
The next time you encounter any of the repairs or upgrades mentioned above, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from a professional. While the initial labor costs might seem substantial, it’s important to remember that investing in expert services can lead to substantial long-term savings. Additionally, you have the option to cut costs on the required car parts by taking advantage of significant discounts when purchasing them independently through platforms like Partsavatar.
