Night school where you can become a compitent mechanic?

[acemcmac]

I am green with envy at how some people on the car enthusiast forums talk about swapping transmissions, gearboxes and crate engines DIY while I'm stuck here trying to figure out wtf is wrong with some part that I have IN MY LAP.

Has anyone ever gone to school to learn the modern automotive trade?

I'm a computer guy by trade but I love cars. This would be strictly for hobby and personal use.

 

[Remy XO]

Car manuals?

I learned all my car stuff my reading DIY manuals and visiting forums for technical questions. Just like how I learn about computers now from here. Once you know how things work it is alot easier to fix.

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: Remy XO
Car manuals?

I learned all my car stuff my reading DIY manuals and visiting forums for technical questions. Just like how I learn about computers now from here. Once you know how things work it is alot easier to fix.

Thanks. I have my haynes book which isn't in-depth enough and information on forums is spotty at best.

http://www.3.8mustang.com/forum/showthread.php?t=82979

that's my problem 🙁 and the solution. This is not the first time I've had problems with this part of the emmission system as my current AIR pump is only 2 years old.

Oh, and before anyone gets in here and tells me to set it on fire and commit insurance fraud because its a v6 mustang, it's not like I can afford a better car right now. :roll: I bought this thing when I was 17 and I didn't know any better so DIAF.

 

[drnickriviera]

Factory manuals are worth their weight in gold. Every vehicle I get, I buy a factory manual. All other manuals are junk. Only exception is Mercedes factory manuals. Mercedes doesn't want you working on your own vehicle, so the manual is nearly useless.

Most factory manuals will give a flow chart for diagnosing CELs

 

[The_Dude8]

Originally posted by: drnickriviera
Factory manuals are worth their weight in gold. Every vehicle I get, I buy a factory manual. All other manuals are junk. Only exception is Mercedes factory manuals. Mercedes doesn't want you working on your own vehicle, so the manual is nearly useless.

Most factory manuals will give a flow chart for diagnosing CELs

where can you buy a factory manuals?

 

[Xyclone]

First of all, to be competent you have to spell it right. 😉

 

[Subbaculcha]

Check if there's an automotive degree at your community college.
I took a night course and it was great. You get to work on your car under supervision with a fully equipped garage.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally posted by: The_Dude8

Originally posted by: drnickriviera
Factory manuals are worth their weight in gold. Every vehicle I get, I buy a factory manual. All other manuals are junk. Only exception is Mercedes factory manuals. Mercedes doesn't want you working on your own vehicle, so the manual is nearly useless.

Most factory manuals will give a flow chart for diagnosing CELs

where can you buy a factory manuals?

try

http://www.helminc.com/helm/homepage.as.../search?hl=en&q=factory+service+manual

 

[robothouse77]

Originally posted by: Xyclone
First of all, to be competent you have to spell it right. 😉

lol, you beat me!

 

[iamwiz82]

You won't learn much in a school like that because every car is different. All you will get is an overview of most cars.

What problem are you having with? Just replace the smog pump.

 

[drnickriviera]

Originally posted by: OVERKILL

Originally posted by: The_Dude8

Originally posted by: drnickriviera
Factory manuals are worth their weight in gold. Every vehicle I get, I buy a factory manual. All other manuals are junk. Only exception is Mercedes factory manuals. Mercedes doesn't want you working on your own vehicle, so the manual is nearly useless.

Most factory manuals will give a flow chart for diagnosing CELs

where can you buy a factory manuals?

try

http://www.helminc.com/helm/homepage.as.../search?hl=en&q=factory+service+manual

Also try ebay, google. As a last resort, go to the parts/service department at the dealer.

 

[TBone48]

Topic Title: Night school where you can become a compitent mechanic?
Idon't know what a compitent is, so I can't help you.

 

[myusername]

With the exception of getting into something that involves tight tolerances or machining (engine build, tranny overhaul) I've found that it is about as easy as fixing computers - just uses bigger, heavier, dirtier parts. Many similarities in troubleshooting too, in that a lot of times you throw a part at it and find out it wasn't what you needed 🙂

Frankly, with a factory service manual and a decent set of tools, the only other thing you need is a 2nd car or a friend who will give you a lift so you can go get the tool you didn't have in said set.

 

[mwmorph]

it takes years to become a good mchanic that can pass some of the ASE exams and work for a living. It takes most people 2-3 years of autotech(5 class periods) and 2-3 more years of training from tech school to become a really good competent pro mechanic.

now if yuo want to just be educated, most community colleges can help you with that, but they usually dont have the funds for too much habds on work, usualyl just book work.

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: drnickriviera
Factory manuals are worth their weight in gold. Every vehicle I get, I buy a factory manual. All other manuals are junk. Only exception is Mercedes factory manuals. Mercedes doesn't want you working on your own vehicle, so the manual is nearly useless.

Most factory manuals will give a flow chart for diagnosing CELs

bah, the factory manual for 84 300D has been priceless
Granted, it is a very simple car