Is wrenching a DSM easy?

[sbengineering]

Overall, i think working on a DSM is pretty damn easy. They seem to have put some thought into the design of the car overall, as wrenching on a DSM is usually smooth and "curse less".

What do you guys think?

 

[TSG59_Steve]

1g or 2g? 2g has little problems here and there, usually nothing too bad though.

 

[ChunkyLover53]

I have not completely tore the cars down, but the work I have done has been pretty painless.

 

[sbengineering]

1G

 

[zero97tsi]

Ive actually thought about that alot lately. everything is decently easy to get at and work with. Like the fuel pump, that was rediculous when I figured out where it was. amazazing

 

[jongreene]

The engine bay isnt too cluttered.

Even less once you start rippin stuff off....i'd say theyre pretty easy to work on.

 

[BUCK]

Overall, i think working on a DSM is pretty damn easy. They seem to have put some thought into the design of the car overall, as wrenching on a DSM is usually smooth and "curse less". What do you guys think?

As long as you have every length wrench, every swivel wrench & every ratcheting wrench made it's doable but I would NOT say it's EASY by any means just because of the cramped access = Particularly to the Timing Belt end of Motor & the plumbing on the Turbo cars that covers the Front of Motor & the Transfer case & subframe UNDER the AWD cars - & the 2G Engine Bay's look MUCH "tighter" - So NO I definitely do not agree & I DEFINITELY don't think that DSM gave a DAMN about who chose to work on these things...

 

[zimfro]

I believe that the engineering put into the construction of our beloved DSMs is a cut above normal. The only thing that causes me to curse is the problems I have getting things apart due to rust. I cannot say for sure that it is due to "cheap" material, but it has caused me some severe busted knuckles. Being that I live in Michigan, rust is a fact of life.

 

[sbengineering]

Waa waa waa j/k thanks for your input!

 

[housegsx]

After putting a clutch in my dad's C4 Corvette this week I will work on the DSM any day...

6 hours to drop the exhaust.... rediculous

 

[zero97tsi]

*shudder* I almost laughed out loud when I first looked under the hood... it almost appears to be a flat surface with all the stuff zig zagging around

 

[97redEclipse001]

Being from Maine, I second the rust comment.

 

[sbengineering]

I try to switch every thing i can to stainless when i take something apart.

 

[TSG59_Steve]

Same here. Rust sucks.

 

[tkelly27]

It's about middle of the road for me. Newer stuff being more complicated (like my moms '01 F150 where you've got to remove the fuel injectors and emissions to get to the spark plugs!), and older/less advanced stuff being easier. The other thing, is that in my experience, DSMs break so often that you can just keep all the tools you need to fix it out and you get really good at it. The first time I hooked up the timing belt it took me all day, last night it took me an hour, in the dark!

 

[beating4g63s]

as long as I don't lose a socket or wrench somewhere in the engine bay it's easy, also thanks to this site that makes things even easier.

 

[Quasimondo]

Overall, i think working on a DSM is pretty damn easy. They seem to have put some thought into the design of the car overall, as wrenching on a DSM is usually smooth and "curse less".

What do you guys think?

I have scars on my hands that say otherwise.

 

[sbengineering]

as long as I don't lose a socket or wrench somewhere in the engine bay it's easy, also thanks to this site that makes things even easier.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75320&stc=1&d=1186018882

 

[McFox]

Compared to other cars I've worked on, I'd have to say my DSM has been the easiest. It took me 4 hours (with the smoking, cussing, and more smoking) to get my brothers Mazda Protege P/S to swivel. I loosened every bolt I could find. In the end, it swivels and I have no clue how I did it.

My DSM, changed the P/S belt in 15 mintues.

 

[terminaltsi]

i'd say they're pretty easy to work on, of course i work on high end european cars for aliving, so ### cars are usually cake. (never work on a late model audi if you think DSM's are cramped!).

 

[kenamond]

Being in the southwest...rust? What's that?!
I didn't like having to pull the exhaust, xfer case, and front-left bearing bracket to drop the oil pan, though. Guess I shouldn't have dropped that zip tie in the head, eh?
I can literally sit in the engine bay of my '74 F100 next to either side of the motor. But it handles like a bus and isn't all that quick.

 

[Drubble]

I used to have an old souped up '73 Datsun 240Z that was very easy to work on, but had to get rid of it when the stork showed up with our first kid. Fast Forward 15 years later to my 2G. Certainly more complicated, but it sure is fun once again to scrape up knuckles, curse like a sailor and foam at the mouth! I've learned a helluva lot on this forum and have always been able to find invaluable information whenever I need it. Hail To The Wisemen!

 

[tsitalon03]

I'd say its pretty easy. I picked up a Haynes manual and it breaks everything down pretty good and i use this website as troubleshooting.

 

[TALONTRAX]

I thought everything I`ve done to my 2G has been pretty straight-forward, even the ACT 2600 install wasn`t too bad.

Then, I went to replace the knock sensor . . .

WTF WTF WTF

 

[bling5tatus]

I have learned so much from owning my 1g. I love it, and I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty doing anything on a car now.