Contents: Work under supervision - this is… ↳ A well-prepared workshop visit ↳ This way you will work efficiently ↳
An amateur's work is only enjoyable when the work area is tidy, the equipment is as it should be, and the necessary spare parts and fittings are at hand. This applies to any work - including the care and maintenance of your Ford Focus.
The hobby mechanic needs, first of all, a suitable work place so that he can finally concentrate fully on the work. It would be best if it were a sufficiently spacious and well-lit garage with its own power supply. Of course, in good weather, work is more enjoyable outdoors. But always pay attention to a level and paved surface - in any work, act according to the motto: safety first.
Work under supervision - this is possible in rented workshops
As a rule, rented workshops are a good idea for amateurs. Along with a car lift with a platform and a wide range of tools, they often offer competent help with sound practical advice; in addition, car and technical problems are easier to solve with professional guidance. Most rental workshops offer several work stations. You are more likely to find a vacancy in a rental workshop midweek than at the end of the week when all the car enthusiasts are picking up their tools. You can find the addresses of rental workshops in the yellow pages of your telephone directory, in the classifieds section of your daily newspaper, or in the advertising publications. Often, the attendant at the nearest gas station can give you advice.
A well-prepared workshop visit
Doing it yourself in a rented workshop only pays off if the repair is done quickly. If you are doing a major repair yourself for the first time, then the accumulated cost of training time can easily exceed the cost of working in a professional or contract workshop. Most often, there is the added time pressure of other amateur mechanics waiting in line: if you start working in a rented workshop, you must in most cases see it through to the end. Practice literally forces you to meticulous planning: you don"t want to park your car on an expensive lift while you buy missing parts or auxiliary equipment.
This way you will work efficiently
To avoid temptation and installing the wrong parts in your Focus, first clear the work area of any traces of previous disassembly work.
The dismantled parts are always placed in the order of dismantling. This significantly simplifies subsequent assembly.
Small parts are best placed in separate boxes or other containers. After dismantling, screw the screws/bolts directly into the corresponding threads. Then you will certainly not mix them up, since each screw will sit in its place.
If there is a drain or oil separator nearby, you should cover it while working - the grates have a magical attraction for small parts.
Before starting work, read the accompanying documentation for repair or installation. Keep these documents near the work site.
If the work volume is large, make sketches of individual stages of the work. This will reduce the time of subsequent installation and make it easier to find the defect.
When working on wheel wells, on bumpers or under the car, do not lie down on the bare ground: an old blanket will protect you from the cold ground. And to prevent oil and moisture from getting to you, additionally lay down plastic film as insulation.
If after work traces of oil remain on the ground, then an intensive household cleaner or dishwashing detergent can help. Better yet, special products for removing oil stains - from a related goods store.