Jack Junkies in Plano, TX ...

[dcchristopher]

North Texas AuDIYers rejoice! There is now a shop in Plano that allows you to get the job done right without buying your own four post lift. They can even help out with what you are doing. And their rates are ridiculously low!

http://www.dallasnews.com/business/autos-latest-news/20121204-auto-repair-do-it-yourselfers-get-a-lift-from-plano-s-jack-junkies.ece

[biketsai]

Nice! Cool to see these resources available in my old neck of the woods. However there aren't many jobs you can't do in your driveway with some jackstands.

[JSalz]

I like the business idea. It will be interesting to see if it is successful.

Biketsai, you're right, but at those prices, it may be worth it. Lifts allow you to be more efficient and take a lot of the headaches out wrenching, but I think I'm most attracted to the fact that they help take lots of strain off of your body as you work.

[biketsai]

I like the business idea. It will be interesting to see if it is successful.

Biketsai, you're right, but at those prices, it may be worth it. Lifts allow you to be more efficient and take a lot of the headaches out wrenching, but I think I'm most attracted to the fact that they help take lots of strain off of your body as you work.

Lol, I agree about the body strain. I used to have an access to a lift a few years ago and it was very nice. The only thing about this concept for hardcore wrenchers is that things NEVER go as expected. I wonder if you'll rack up charges if something goes terrible out of plan while using the lift at $23/hr.

[JSalz]

Excellent point. Things often go sideways and the car can be on the lift for days as you wait for parts, etc!

[dcchristopher]

True, true ... I guess make sure to bring a buddy, slap the vehicle back together, and push it out to the parking lot if need be.

My next DIY is a fuel delivery overhaul and that one I can do in my garage. I just like the idea of accessing the bottom of the vehicle (even if only to remove/secure the sound dampening panels) without becoming a contortionist and worrying that the side skirt will come crashing down on my face. Those fastening screws get rusty and are hard to maneuver.

Also, imagine how much easier the rear sway bar upgrade would be with a little more crawl space. ;-)

[JSalz]

What kind of fueling work do you have planned for the 2.0t fsi?

Something along these lines in mind?

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/374820_312823428760405_421600863_n.jpg

[dcchristopher]

He he he ... Yeah, four of those (w/ installation kits) plus:
In-tank LPFP (w/ new seal)
Engine-mounted HPFP (w/ new seal, fitting kit, cam follower)
MAF Sensor
Outside air temp sensor
Cleaning of valves
New intake manifold gasket

Total for parts: ~$1280. Given I have to disconnect the coolant lines, I will also add a gallon of G12 to the Christmas list. I also have to sever one of the fuel lines because my fuel pump is fastened to one of them via a bolt that is stripped. All this started with that cam follower replacement that couldn't happen due to the stripped bolt. After reading about cleaning the valves though, I have no problem doing the whole thing.

When are you doing your injectors? ... or have you already done them? Will/Did you do anything else while in there? I know the Bentley manual calls for quite a few things to be replaced once you start opening up the intake.

[JSalz]

Looks like you have a good list going.

Have you considered replacing your thermostat while you have the intake manifold removed?

The photo shows a set of S3 injectors I installed on a friend's built A3. The car is so much fun to drive. Here are the parts we installed at the time:

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/383984_312823275427087_1705257642_n.jpg

[dcchristopher]

I replaced that sucker back in Spring because it was giving false readings and leaking coolant. That's how I got started on this whole Audi DIY bandwagon. I could not fathom paying around $600 to replace an under-$100 part when it should take someone who knows what he's doing less than 2 hours to do it.

The recency of that thermostat replacement exercise just beats me down because opening the coolant drain plug and disconnecting the hard pipes is a B****!!! Then I'll have to do it all over again in 20K miles when I go to do the timing belt replacement. 20K miles in Texas (as you probably know all too well) is not a ton of time in between whippings.

[JSalz]

Cars can beat you down over and over, but the satisfaction of a job well done is great too. Keep at it!

[dcchristopher]

Amen, brutha ... It's funny, I was just explaining that to a buddy of mine on Friday. He was wondering why I torture myself by keeping this car and deciding to work on it myself. For one, I can't in good conscience sell it to anyone, even a dealership, knowing the repairs that are lurking. Second, and more importantly, I may cuss up a storm all through a DIY repair but when it's over, the feeling is that of the Universe in perfect harmony.

Thank you for the kind words! Good luck with your repairs as well!

[dcchristopher]

Update ... check out the pics!

http://www.jackjunkies.com/ourgarage.html

This place is like heaven on Earth! I can't wait to go in for a brake bleed next weekend and then, a couple of months later, for the second oil change. This time I can do a traditional oil drain as opposed to the vacuum oil change I did the last time.

[imtimmy]

Awesome to have this option with all of the things needed if necessary. I'm not far, west Plano, beginner DIYer. dcchristopher have you used their place already?

[dcchristopher]

Yeah, I have been there twice already since January (brake fluid flush and tire swap) and will go back this month for an oil change and tire rotation. The place just rocks. The lifts are legit and there is even someone there to help you if you get stuck. The rates are VERY reasonable. $23 for the lift, $40 for an ASE tech.

You will love it, have fun!