Tools of the trade

[Paul5 3]

Hi all, only me! 

Had a quick look and couldn't see anything, I'm looking for some a advice and recommendations on a few bits please. 

1. Obd reader or similar for diagnosing and clearing faults etc. I've got a very basic one but is it worth investing in a better one and if so any idea of price and recommendations please? 

2. Polishing tools, I've watched a few videos and the seem to be using angle grinders but I've also seen cheaper looking sets but worried they may be a false economy. Again any advice on price brackets is be looking at and recommendations please? I doubt there are but if there are any that aren't mains powered that would be good so I'm not doing it on the drive! I've seen a couple of threads on types of polish so should be good for that. 

3. Upholstery cleaner, just a simple steam cleaner or something not specific? 

4. I've got the usual tools but is there anything you'd highly recommend I should get. 

Many thanks

Paul 

[Mojo121 229]

A good jump starter is a must. Clarke 4000 gets my vote.

Polisher - I got a cheapo off eBay but invested in good quality heads for it.

upholstery cleaner and a wet and dry vac is fine.

stick to a basic obd reader unless you plan on fixing, if not, leave it to your mechanic.

[Dave2302 387]

Hi, as above !!

A small Compressor and a couple of air tools, like Tyre Inflator, Windy Gun etc

The polishers look like Angle Grinder but run a lot slower and a speed control knob is usually also present and pretty much essential, mine is a "Silverline" EBay cheapie, and had a lot of use lately since I started painting again, seems all good so far, yeah, I use Farecla or 3M heads avoid Chinese like the plague they scratch more than they polish  

Don't waste your money on a cheap OBD they only pull a handful of Engine Codes, spend a few hundred on a lower end Autel Machine, which will at least read 80% + Faults in Engine, Transmission, ABS and SRS systems and erase Codes. That will see ya right for assesing lying billies with px'es and to see if your Mechanic is trustworthy until you get to know him better  

If using mechanic make sure he has really decent kit, (and knows how to use it, or he'll be playing Parts Darts with your money

If doing your own repairs invest in a better Diag Machine like £1k to £2k and learn how to use it  

HTH,

Oh, and for those moments where things are really technical, find a guy like myself who has Dealer Level Kit and is good and trustworthy

[Paul5 3]

Thanks guys. 

So jump starter and cheap polisher it is, but decent heads. 

Still not sure on odb, had a quick look at Autel and there seems to be hundreds of models, anyone use one they can recommend?

Also is any of the laptop software any good? 

I'm not looking to do much work myself. 

[It's me 615]

1..........obd reader launch crp123 or if you can afford it the crp 129

2.........get your proper polisher machine mart,had mine 30 years now ,i dont abuse it not even put brushes in it,you must know how to use it though or you will mke cars worse and on fresh paint and edges very easy to burn the paint

3.......spend £100 on a quality trolley jack

4........................a tornado for valeting look on ebay they are £13 from china

5.........a cheapest hoover from wickes about £45

6.a decent hand light with the square chips in about £40

[Mark101 536]

1 hour ago, Paul5 said:

Hi all, only me! 

Had a quick look and couldn't see anything, I'm looking for some a advice and recommendations on a few bits please. 

1. Obd reader or similar for diagnosing and clearing faults etc. I've got a very basic one but is it worth investing in a better one and if so any idea of price and recommendations please? 

2. Polishing tools, I've watched a few videos and the seem to be using angle grinders but I've also seen cheaper looking sets but worried they may be a false economy. Again any advice on price brackets is be looking at and recommendations please? I doubt there are but if there are any that aren't mains powered that would be good so I'm not doing it on the drive! I've seen a couple of threads on types of polish so should be good for that. 

3. Upholstery cleaner, just a simple steam cleaner or something not specific? 

4. I've got the usual tools but is there anything you'd highly recommend I should get. 

Many thanks

Paul 

1) I have an Autel handheld which does far more than I can manage/need

2) Milwawke make a handheld polishing mop but about £300

3) Titan wet/dry vac from Screwfix (about £40)

4) A good reliable garage, A good valeter, A good diagnostic/auto electrician type - then you will not need 1,2 or 3 and as you get busier - you won't have time to use them anyway.

[Paul5 3]

4 minutes ago, Mark101 said:

1) I have an Autel handheld which does far more than I can manage/need

2) Milwawke make a handheld polishing mop but about £300

3) Titan wet/dry vac from Screwfix (about £40)

4) A good reliable garage, A good valeter, A good diagnostic/auto electrician type - then you will not need 1,2 or 3 and as you get busier - you won't have time to use them anyway.

Thanks again all. 

I think number 4 maybe, last thing I'd want is to make things worse trying to do it myself! 

I do however think I want a half decent scanner. There's some touch screen jobbies on the bay for around £60-80 but not sure if you can update or if I'd be better getting one you can update. 

[Mark101 536]

2 minutes ago, Paul5 said:

Thanks again all. 

I think number 4 maybe, last thing I'd want is to make things worse trying to do it myself! 

I do however think I want a half decent scanner. There's some touch screen jobbies on the bay for around £60-80 but not sure if you can update or if I'd be better getting one you can update. 

Presuming you're like me (not very technical) - you only need to read the OBD port.  My scanner will go in to far too many ECU's for my capability.

I could do far more damage than good with my machine if not treated with respect.

Just to read an EML, a cheap generic one will suffice to give you a heads up (or some gravitas when speaking to a garage) as to whether a fault is a piece of piss sensor or a more difficult issue.

Edited February 7, 2019 by Mark101

[grant8064 219]

OBD reader is only worth having if you know how to use it properly. I'm not being sarky, I don't have one for that reason. 

[Area 51 33]

Just following along on the thread, anyone any thoughts experience of this item in place of smaller OBD;

OBD Alternative ??

I'm not wanting to fiddle about, just ensure I've got enough knowledge on the depth of a problem when it presents itself.. Got a spare laptop lying idle so was thinking I could dedicate it to this purpose.. All thoughts/advice greatly appreciated..

[Dave2302 387]

Forget the laptops, unless you are going dealer level, some s/w can be a beast to install, I know, I've done 23 dealer level machines now, all on Dell D630 / 830 platform.

If you get just a Reader / Eraser / maybe with Live Data you cannot possibly screw anything up no matter what you pressed, the worst you will do is Erase Codes before you have written them down / printed them !!

I recommended an Autel to a guy before, I'll go see if I can find it

Here you go this:- 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autel-MaxiCOM-MK808-MX808-OBD2-Car-Diagnostic-Scanner-EPB-SAS-BMS-TPMS-DPF-IMMO/254056843281?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D56003%26meid%3Db573d3bce4df4c4a8962eefb4c567255%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D182784245348%26itm%3D254056843281&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

Or if you really wanna cheap out, (it won't do nearly as much), but this :-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autel-ML629-OBD2-Scanner-Fault-Code-Reader-Diagnostic-SRS-4system-AL619-ML619-PC/263901481269?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D56003%26meid%3De9acf948947b4ab39cf39082751ae0b1%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D273154898846%26itm%3D263901481269&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

And here's the polisher I've got:-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SILVERLINE-180MM-1200W-CAR-POLISHER-SANDER-POLISHING-MACHINE-BUFFER-264569/182719808326?epid=21018385440&hash=item2a8af30346:g:nwAAAOSwioxZlFiq

And it's Orbital Version :- 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/240V-Orbital-Car-Polisher-Buffer-Buffing-machine-Sander-Silverline-110W-261362/221676247634?hash=item339cef1a52:g:hM8AAOSwm8VUyjgp

HTH

18 minutes ago, Area 51 said:

Just following along on the thread, anyone any thoughts experience of this item in place of smaller OBD;

OBD Alternative ??

I'm not wanting to fiddle about, just ensure I've got enough knowledge on the depth of a problem when it presents itself.. Got a spare laptop lying idle so was thinking I could dedicate it to this purpose.. All thoughts/advice greatly appreciated..

That is Delphi by the looks of it, with Wurth WOW Tech Data, can be a bear to install if it's a cracked Chinesium version which most are, I have Delphi on a Dell, it does some makes and models that Snap On doesn't also with an extrat lead set mine does 24 Volt trucks / buses, which generates me some income and saves local operators driving the big stuff to Inverness, but I don't work on HGV, just plug 'em in and print reports at £60 a pop 

So yeah, Delphi is a good generic if you are good at configuring IT  

[Paul5 3]

Thanks Dave, the second Autel looks more my league for now. Only really want it to read faults so I can wither be armed when going to the garage & them not charging me £50 odd for a scan plus so I can delete the codes.

Just to be clear I do not mean delete in some dodgy way. Bought Smart car recently, kept going into neutral, refusing to start, kangarooing, slipping when changing gears etc so feared the worst. Smart specialists all said clutch &/R actuator so £500+. Chap came round diagnosed it for £50, deleted the codes & driven for last week and non came back. He said if battery in a lot of modern cars dies the ECU can have a hissy fit, as this was bought from BCA I suspect they may've had to jump it.

[Paul5 3]

Someone is selling an Autel Mk808 on the Facebook for £100. But wary it is nicked, any way of knowing ie: do they block them like phones. Also can I update it? 

[justlooking 48]

+1 for Milwaukee polisher.

recommended by the paint man, lightweight (you’ll appreciate this once used a Chinese heavy one!) variable speed, long warranty, long cable and robust. Useful if you intend doing a fair bit of bidding and wanna keep it long term, was c£230 from memory but Ive had great use

[Anglo9 26]

My Charles wet vac has finally died...that titan is pennies in comparison to replace , are they comparable ?

sorry to go a little off topic.

 

[Paul5 3]

26 minutes ago, Anglo9 said:

My Charles wet vac has finally died...that titan is pennies in comparison to replace , are they comparable ?

sorry to go a little off topic.

 

My mates old man used to supply them to a load of pubs etc so may be worth looking at getting refurbished?

[EPV 631]

4 hours ago, twerp said:

Worth suggesting you start experimenting with an random orbital polisher for a beginner, over a rotary polisher which could see you going through the paint if you're not careful.

One on sale in Argos, seems reasonable at £35

Challenge Dual-Action Car Polisher £34.99

This is correct. Stick to a DA until you have the skills and the confidence to use a mop. I started with a mop but i’ve burned through clear coat in the beginning so either practice on scrap panels or get a DA. 

I tend to use my rotary to cut fast when I want to improve something like a bumper corner that’s not quite acceptable but doesn’t warrant paint. If you’re looking to bring a bit of gloss back to the paint a DA will do just fine. 

54 minutes ago, Anglo9 said:

My Charles wet vac has finally died...that titan is pennies in comparison to replace , are they comparable ?

sorry to go a little off topic.

 

No. 

Its a good robust product but it’s never as capable as a proper extraction machine like a numatic or puzzi. It’s a good robust dry vac though and would clear a blocked sink or reduce the moisture in a wet household carpet but it’s not up to a full car interior like a Charles is. 

[It's me 615]

15 minutes ago, EPV said:

This is correct. Stick to a DA until you have the skills and the confidence to use a mop. I started with a mop but i’ve burned through clear coat in the beginning so either practice on scrap panels or get a DA. 

I tend to use my rotary to cut fast when I want to improve something like a bumper corner that’s not quite acceptable but doesn’t warrant paint. If you’re looking to bring a bit of gloss back to the paint a DA will do just fine. 

No. 

Its a good robust product but it’s never as capable as a proper extraction machine like a numatic or puzzi. It’s a good robust dry vac though and would clear a blocked sink or reduce the moisture in a wet household carpet but it’s not up to a full car interior like a Charles is. 

Ive got a titan here

i think its superb as a car vacuumer but i wont use it for liquids,its a little light if you give it a sharp pull but its a very efficient crap gatherer

Bags are cheaper off ebay mind once needed

 

[Dave2302 387]

3 hours ago, Paul5 said:

Someone is selling an Autel Mk808 on the Facebook for £100. But wary it is nicked, any way of knowing ie: do they block them like phones. Also can I update it? 

They are registered at time of sale on Autel site, so if one of mine got nicked, I'd get it blocked for updates

Listen, not telling you how to suck eggs, but anyone who comes to me, whether they've read a car on their own "whatever" I will still want to run it on my own machine(s) so therefore I'd still charge for diagnosis, Dealer Level Kit has to be paid for, as do even modest generic diagnostic machines.................

I had a bloke last week tell me his V8 Jag didn't need going on a machine for a running issue (misfire), so told him to take it somewhere else, of course there is nowhere else without him going 120 mile round trip to Inverness Main Stealers so I got the job

[Paul5 3]

2 hours ago, Dave2302 said:

They are registered at time of sale on Autel site, so if one of mine got nicked, I'd get it blocked for updates

Listen, not telling you how to suck eggs, but anyone who comes to me, whether they've read a car on their own "whatever" I will still want to run it on my own machine(s) so therefore I'd still charge for diagnosis, Dealer Level Kit has to be paid for, as do even modest generic diagnostic machines.................

I had a bloke last week tell me his V8 Jag didn't need going on a machine for a running issue (misfire), so told him to take it somewhere else, of course there is nowhere else without him going 120 mile round trip to Inverness Main Stealers so I got the job

Yeah I'm going to leave it, I'd be worried that it was nicked and I want nothing to do with that sort of stuff.

Understand that a garage may want to but hoping to build up a relationship with one down the road, plus its good to have an idea beforehand! 

Love a captive market, that is very funny! Had he done a scan! 

 

[Dave2302 387]

Hi Paul,

Yes, he had scanned it himself, but the crucial thing is this, on the more complex Cars, (= most these days), the humble Generic Code readers will only have 80% MAXIMUM code access, and not on all the Cars ECU's so a good tech needs Dealer Level or a very very expensive Generic to get all codes (all = dealer level / almost all generic) from all or almost all systems, for an accurate diagnosis

This guy said his £50 "OBD Pish" Scanner had told him there was "a misfire" ................

Yeah, right, FFS I could have told him that as I was sat in it rocking gently, and listening to the Exhaust note going " 1 (bomp) 4 2 6 3 7 8 .......1 (bomp) 4 2 6 3 7 8 ....... 1 (bomp) 4 2 6 3 7 8 " etc etc .................. Obviously only on 7 Cylinders. 

My JLR Machine told me "Ignition Coil "E" Primary Circuit Failure, so read between the lines before just buying a coil .............. This could be either Coil or Wiring to cylinder #5, swapped the Coil to #7 cylinder, and the Misfire moved to #7 ....................

1 Coil and a set of Plugs .................. Misfire gone

Hopefully this will make it clear why the cheaper the machine, the less info it is telling you ............. This is where all the "guesswork and parts darts" starts creeping in with the ill equipped, poorly trained / in-experienced Mechanics  

Also, on this particular example, Jaguar have used 3 different ways of numbering their cylinders, so unless a techie is clued up, the next thing goes like this :-  "well mate, we've changed the Coil and Plugs but it's still misfiring, now we need to test all the wiring", (= hrs) ............... "The wiring is fine", it must have low compression, we'll fit another engine" ........................ "errrrrm, it's still misfiring" etc etc etc.

Our local Garages are certainly not clued up, hence it got sent here in the first instance, hell, they are still working with Points Condensers and Carburettors mentality !! LMFAO !! 

Here's a bit of research for you ................ Ask 3 Mechanics "exactly what is a CAN Bus ?" lol, you'll get 3 different answers and most likely not one of them will be correct  

HTH

[Dave2302 387]

Sorry, Im done explaining this to folks, not on all makes it won't for all the reasons I have already stated on various forums over the years.

I agree there is no excuse from the other garages, one of whom has Bosch KTS, but no twunt there can use it. That's why I'm getting busier by the day, and they're all welding up rust buckets and changing ball joints for "shopping money"

A good techie will want to diagnose his own problems, not be told by someone else what is wrong ...............

Newer the Car the less likely your tenner would be well spent.

[Dave2302 387]

36 minutes ago, tradex said:

Point being no kunt had checked the fu%king basics, no one had questioned why lights went dim etc.....first form stuff. 

lol, sooooooo true ................

When I write my memoirs I'll send ya a free copy

[Dave2302 387]

Yep, I remember Barry, sadly I don't have the correct emoticon lololol

1 hour ago, tradex said:

Sadly most are trial but substitution in my experience,

A lot of inepts are still doing that, and get sent on wild goose chases  .................

Why ??  Because the vast majority of modules etc need version coding these days, specific to the Car, so you swap f.e. an Airbag Module, it has exactly the same part number, but it came from a higher specced Merc VW whatever of the same model, so you fit it, light is still on !!

Why, because the car it came from had side airbags and your car does not, (or vice versa), so it needs to be version coded on Dealer Level Kit, also some very expensive Generics will do basic coding on some modules on some cars  

I'm learning every day !!

Here's a good 'un .................

I Just sorted out an HVAC fault on a 2014 E Class, 2 Main Dealers and 1 Indie baffled, so they sent it to me 

They've had the Dash out twice, changed sensors, flap motors, blower control module, HVAC module etc still not fixed after £1000's.

Anyone know what was wrong ?? ..........................

.........................

.........................

.........................

Fluff etc in the UCP Temperature Sensors little tiny Fan, stopping it drawing the Upper Cabin Air through to the Sensor, 10 minutes with Vacuum Cleaner, and 8.5 minutes of that was getting it out from under the bench and plugging it in

How did I find that ? ....................

Sat in the Car for 10 minutes watching all the data with SDS Xentry as the heater was going beserk blowing hot / cold flat out / slowly etc etc

A tenners worth of OBD reader certainly won't do that  

I don't think the guy believed me this morning when I said it was all fixed and ready for collection

I'm not sayin' what I actuallycharged the Guy for that, but it was a helluva lot cheaper for me to actually fix it, than all the money he's already wasted with 3 firms who didn't actually fix it !!

[EPV 631]

yeah, super, fab dave, lovely, all interesting stuff etc.

 

So when are you moving down to Kent then?