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how much should every guy know about car repair?
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blahblah99
Platinum Member
Well, I didn't take any car mechanic classes, except for the adult night school classes. I can pretty much do everything except a transmission rebuild - right now my friend and I are tearing up this 240sx (KA24E engine) and rebuilding it with new rings, gaskets, and a timing kit. Most of the stuff is pretty simple if your not intimidated and can work on the car and keep a focused mind on where everything goes.
Skyclad1uhm1
Lifer
Ok, that remark was a bit harsh and slightly unfounded 🙂
Anyway, do you do all the painting on your house yourself? Did you built it yourself in the first place? After all, builders and painters do ask huge prices for something you can do yourself too. You'll be busy for days painting the house, but you'll spend less. If you do not trust a professional not to rip you off, why not ask someone with more knowledge on the subject? If your doctor prescribes you some weird, very expensive pills for something you have never heard of, wouldn't you like a second opinion too? Just ask someone with the knowledge which one is trustworthy. My family uses me when it comes to computer knowledge. When it comes to medical knowledge I ask my mom and one of my sisters. When I have questions about light in biophysics I ask my dad (like that happens a lot, but still 😉 ). When I want to know something about cars I ask a befriended car mechanic.
Basic knowledge so you don't get into trouble with a flat tire or something ok, but why safe $5 while spending 30 minutes more if you don't have to?
If you work for 30 minutes, do you make less than $5? Can't you think of more fun things to do? (If you like doing it ok, but if you'd prefer doing other things I don't see a reason to do it yourself)
Everyone should do a First Aid course, I see that as far more important than even basic car knowledge. Does even 10% of the people have basic medical knowledge? I doubt it. A lot of people would not even know how to perform heart massage if it wasn't for Baywatch 😛
At least where I live, you have to know how to fix basic things and diagnose problems just to get driving license for bigger vehicles than 3.5t (lowest category doesn't requie much knowledge, thought). I've taken my car fully apart and put back together, but I wouldn't do that with some newer vehicle full of electronics and stuff (I haven't learned how to fix cars anywhere).
Skyclad1uhm1
Lifer
That's the whole point: If you see how it is done, and you are willing to spent time and energy on it, you can do most things. Painting just requires knowledge on how to treat what material, and what ground/paint to use, and how to paint certain parts to be the most resistant against wear and tear. Simple surgical procedures aren't that hard, but you need to keep a cool head, and it's a bit nastier when you make errors than when you blow up your engine 😉
The question remains whether you want to spend the time needed on it, or if you trust someone not to rip you off while doing it for you so you can spend the time posting on ATOT and whining about being ripped off, or playing CS.
Colt45
Lifer
Once I rule the world, the only way you can drive is if you can strip down and rebuild a car completely.
no driver's liscence needed.
There sure as hell would be ALOT less dumbfsck soccer moms running people over in there SUV sucking down a cheeseburger, throwing the wrapper out the window, Talking on the cellphone and getting 3MPG.
😉😀
no driver's liscence needed.
There sure as hell would be ALOT less dumbfsck soccer moms running people over in there SUV sucking down a cheeseburger, throwing the wrapper out the window, Talking on the cellphone and getting 3MPG.
😉😀
So where do you go to learn car repair? Books?
I can do simple stuff like change the oil (which I need to do, by the way) and change tires... but what about all the other crap?
Do you just do with cars like you do with computers? Play with them and hope you don't bust anything?
I'd like to learn more... but my dad wasn't mechanically inclined at all, so growing up, I learned how to change the oil, fix tires, put gas in, and wash the windshield. That's about it.
I can do simple stuff like change the oil (which I need to do, by the way) and change tires... but what about all the other crap?
Do you just do with cars like you do with computers? Play with them and hope you don't bust anything?
I'd like to learn more... but my dad wasn't mechanically inclined at all, so growing up, I learned how to change the oil, fix tires, put gas in, and wash the windshield. That's about it.
StattlichPassat
Banned
I sound exactly like you- I'll learn as I go. No real rush for me, but I'd like to be a half-way decent mechanic who can take care of all non-professional tasks within another 10 years.
Zebo
Elite Member
Automatically assume they are which is why U get a second opinion. I had one dentist say I needed 6 fillings, went to another who said 3...WTF They are the worst crooks. Unforunatly I can't work on myself or I would!! I stiched up my knee {19 stiches} once in college but most medical stuff in inaccesable since YOU can't operate on yourself!! It's too difficult with angles and pain you have and sometimes you're unconsious.
Anyway, do you do all the painting on your house yourself?
Yes, it's so easy with the proper equipment rented form home depot everyone should. I got a bid for $2,800 from some painter and god knows what crappy paint quality he would use. I said fxckyou, i'll do it myself and bought the most expensive paint $85@ 5 gallons and the whole job only cost me $560 with equipment rental. So in two days I made around $2,300, not bad. And guess what it looks better than my nieghbors who had his "professionally" painted by the jackass trying to rip me off.
Did you built it yourself in the first place?
Partially, got a constuction loan and supervised every phase in addition I did the roof, cabinets and tile alone. Savings a LOT.
If you do not trust a professional not to rip you off, why not ask someone with more knowledge on the subject?
I don't.
If your doctor prescribes you some weird, very expensive pills for something you have never heard of, wouldn't you like a second opinion too?
I still read everything possible about the drug and will rarley take any medications. But again that's because I educate myself as much as possible about side effects vs. benefit the make my own analysis whether it's worth it. NOT the docter, ther're quacks paid by the pharm industry to drug. IMO they no different than any human. Like car mechanics they get paid on the amount of work they do and like car mechanics will rip you off if your not educated a little.
comes to computer knowledge.
AT of course but again YOU must verify the information as much as possible for accuracy.
Either YOU what to know how things work or you just want to go though life with blinders on. I like saving and learning as much as possible so I try and do everything myself the first time.
After that carbonyl lets the grunts take over🙂
Edit: Tip, and BTW the best place to get medical/dental work done is at a dental school or a teaching hospital. This way there is a peer-review environment where a doctor can't screw you over like he can in private offices where she's working alone.
Stojakapimp
Platinum Member
I don't know a darn thing about cars. I remember when I took the ASVAB (that military test) that I scored average with WOMEN on the auto part. I was ashamed.
Squisher
Lifer
Well, if your asking people, then you're gaining knowledge, I don't understand.
I guess that I have always taken a keen interest in any aspect of my life that can have a significant impact on my worldy possesions, be they my house, my cars, or this organic device that I am now residing in.
A.) As much as he would like to know
B.) As much as he cannot afford to have done @ $55/hr labor
C.) As much as he needs to avoid being taken by an unscrupulous repair shop
D.) As much as he needs to deal with common road-side mechanical problems
E.) As much as he needs to avoid putting transmission fluid in the radiator and motor oil in the windshield solvent resevoir
F.) As much as he enjoys DIY auto repair
G.) As much as he might have an attractive neighbor who agrees to be his sex toy for the next month in return for saving her a lot of money <---- (my personal fav)
blahblah99
Platinum Member
Well, initial learning and hands-on experience of fixing cars might be uphill... I mean, I remember the first time I changed oil on a car it took me about an hour to do since I didn't know where to jack up the car, where the oil filter was located, how to open it, how tight to tighten it, etc etc. Now, it gets done in under 10 minutes.
If your interested in learning about cars, I'd suggest taking a adult-night school mechanic class and bring in a beat up car so you can practice fixing it. Fixing cars is nothing like fixing computers - you have to be a good problem solver, be good with your hands (and fingers! 😀) , know which tools to use, and be organized.
The way I learned was by doing an oil change first, then moved on to transmission fluid change, spark plugs, wires, brakes, drive belt, radiator, timing belt, cylinder head, and finally an engine rebuild.
If your interested in learning about cars, I'd suggest taking a adult-night school mechanic class and bring in a beat up car so you can practice fixing it. Fixing cars is nothing like fixing computers - you have to be a good problem solver, be good with your hands (and fingers! 😀) , know which tools to use, and be organized.
The way I learned was by doing an oil change first, then moved on to transmission fluid change, spark plugs, wires, brakes, drive belt, radiator, timing belt, cylinder head, and finally an engine rebuild.
I think every man should know how most of the systems in his car work. not necessarily down to the last detail, but you should have a pretty good understanding of all of it. The stuff i've actually replaced on my trucks has been pretty simple, oil, AC, brakes, water pump, and clutch. That way you'll be able to tell if the mechanic is attempting to swindle you or if you decide to get in there and do it yourself it will make things a lot easier.
Not to sound like an asshole or anything, but average mechanic's aren't the brightest guys around and they're the ones you're generally going to be dealing with unless you spend beaucoup money at a specialty shop.
I don't know that i'd work on all the tiny cars that are out there today. All of my trucks have had pretty spacious engine compartments and sat high enough that ramps and jackstands weren't required. My brother's GSX is a pain in the ass in that regard. Also, having access to tools is 50% of the battle.
jt
Not to sound like an asshole or anything, but average mechanic's aren't the brightest guys around and they're the ones you're generally going to be dealing with unless you spend beaucoup money at a specialty shop.
I don't know that i'd work on all the tiny cars that are out there today. All of my trucks have had pretty spacious engine compartments and sat high enough that ramps and jackstands weren't required. My brother's GSX is a pain in the ass in that regard. Also, having access to tools is 50% of the battle.
jt
i dont know much.
i can change my air filter, my fluids, etc. i installed my cd changer, and repaired my bumper cover when the plastic broke by screwing a metal support that i cut out of sheetmetal. and i tried to fix my muffler when the piping was bent, but i ended up paying to have that fixed. and i can change tires and batteries which i have done.
id ont think a guy should need to know how to like rebuild his engine, but he should know simple things like that. its too hard to find the oil release on my specific car, but thats supposed to be really easy if you can reach the release.
i can change my air filter, my fluids, etc. i installed my cd changer, and repaired my bumper cover when the plastic broke by screwing a metal support that i cut out of sheetmetal. and i tried to fix my muffler when the piping was bent, but i ended up paying to have that fixed. and i can change tires and batteries which i have done.
id ont think a guy should need to know how to like rebuild his engine, but he should know simple things like that. its too hard to find the oil release on my specific car, but thats supposed to be really easy if you can reach the release.
Things are much different on modern vehicles. Timing belt, alternator, water pump, spark plug change etc were piece of cake on vehicles from era when your dad was a teenager.
Things are so crammed together in modern cars you don't know where to begin. You'll have to take apart things on top to access things on bottom. Spark plugs are serviceable on many inline fours, but many V banked engine requires serious skill with wobbly wrench attachments or removal of intake manifold. OBD-II(post 1993 must have OBD-II I believe) makes it even more difficult to do your own major work on your car.
There are much more components in today's cars and you need a OBD-II scanner. The cheapos are not good and good ones are so expensive that buying it for your own use is not justifiable.
Things are so crammed together in modern cars you don't know where to begin. You'll have to take apart things on top to access things on bottom. Spark plugs are serviceable on many inline fours, but many V banked engine requires serious skill with wobbly wrench attachments or removal of intake manifold. OBD-II(post 1993 must have OBD-II I believe) makes it even more difficult to do your own major work on your car.
There are much more components in today's cars and you need a OBD-II scanner. The cheapos are not good and good ones are so expensive that buying it for your own use is not justifiable.
Doctors smarter than car mechanics? Debatable.... The human body hasn't changed in 20,000 years. Cars change yearly, new models all the time, new mechanical devices, new electronic parts....master mechanics undergo training at least as intensive as doctors. You need to be a computer expert to work on the newer stuff.
Sure there's dummies working at Jiffy Lube....also dummies at your local health clinic. It pays to learn something about every aspect of your life, car, house, body, etc.
Sure there's dummies working at Jiffy Lube....also dummies at your local health clinic. It pays to learn something about every aspect of your life, car, house, body, etc.
Since we are on the topic of car repair and this is ATOT, helop me diagnose my problem. my Saturn SL2 has 92,000 its a 1996 and there is something rattling in the front right side of the engine(if you are sitting in the car its the front right side, if you are standing over the engine its the front left side). I am not sure how to diagnose, it rattles all the time. I had a friend with the similiar sound and his water pump went. If this is relative at all, my temp gauge while sitting at a light or parked with the engine running will go from the 1/4 mark to the 3/4 mark before the fan kicks on and cools the engine down to the half mark, any clue on this, just a thought since we are on the topic of car repair
oh I have never done any serious car repair before, the extent of my knowledge is changing fluids, battery, and once removed a radiator and dropped a new one in.
oh I have never done any serious car repair before, the extent of my knowledge is changing fluids, battery, and once removed a radiator and dropped a new one in.
phantom309
Platinum Member
OT: Like your sig, OuterSquare. Gotta get me copy of Starsailor one of these days.
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