car parts in dallas texas

The rising cost of European car repairs may prompt some people to take matters into their own hands when it comes to fixing their vehicles. You may be one of them – bolstered by the confidence of DIY YouTube videos. But while certain tasks can be done on your own, most major ones should be left up to a professional so you don’t incur more damage in the process of trying to save money.

Here are nine European car repairs you should never do yourself.

1.  Timing Belt

If your vehicle is older, the timing belt will need to be replaced at some point. You shouldn’t change your own timing belt because it’s an essential component that keeps your engine operating as it should, plus, it requires that about half of your car’s engine must be disassembled to access it.

2.  Shock Absorbers

If you mess this one up, this will result in a serious safety hazard for your vehicle, making it unfit to drive. Not to mention the safety hazard to yourself if you attempt to climb underneath your car to attempt this task. Any task that involves getting underneath a jacked-up vehicle isn’t worth your safety.

3.  Windshield Repairs

It’s not as easy as it looks on TV. A cracked or chipped windshield is a serious safety hazard. If you have a chip or crack in your windshield, get it repaired by a pro right away. The sooner you do this, the more likely it is that you will only need a repair, not an entire replacement.

4.  Engine Diagnostics

Nobody likes to see the check engine light come up on the dashboard, but leave the diagnostics to the professionals. No good can come of you poking around under the hood.

5.  Radiator

The radiator is considered an “essential component.” Without it, your car can overheat, leading to major engine malfunctions and costly repair bills. If you attempt a DIY job on the radiator and make a mistake, you can cause your engine to blow. When you consider that a new engine costs between $5,000 and $7,000 today, you should leave this up to the experts.

6.  Fuel Pump

The fuel pump supplies fuel at the proper pressure to the injector in the engine, and it’s a very sensitive, precise piece of equipment. That means it’s expensive to repair or replace when it breaks down. This makes it even more essential to ensure that you’re using the right kind of fuel for your vehicle.

7.  Brakes

While it’s possible to replace your own brakes, the chances of not doing it correctly is high. And the safety implications of that are pretty obvious. Just remember that a brake job doesn’t just entail brake pads. In addition, you need to worry about the rotors, calipers, wheel bearings and brake fluid.

8.  Head Gasket

A blown head gasket is a huge job. In fact, it can take a qualified mechanic up to 25 hours of labor to replace it, with repair costs coming in at $3,000 and above. But the head gasket is a vital component of your car because it seals in the internal combustion process of your engine, keeping coolant and oil from combining.

9.  Transmission

The transmission is a very complex part of any vehicle, comprised of thousands of complex parts. Many people try to repair the transmission themselves but have disastrous and costly results. Even changing the transmission fluid is precarious, and involves a specialized procedure performed by a mechanic.

Contact Hance’s European

If you are experiencing any of the above problems, don’t take matters into your own hands. Contact us for an appointment in Dallas at 214-800-4571.