what's the best way to learn about cars??
- Thread starter luv2liv
- Start date
alkemyst
No Lifer
- Feb 13, 2001
- 83,769
- 19
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any car is going to be tough at first.
your own car: get the Factory Service Manual.
Buy tools as you need them. I'd start on the simple maintenance items first though. Those are made usually to be easily serviced.
They have auto mechanics a lot of times at night classes at a local high school's adult education programs.
I started working on cars practically at birth with my dad. I some ways I think it was a trick since although he can afford to probably have a crew take care of his stuff...I get dragged out to do it.
I will say if you get good at this, you will always know things were done right the first time. I recently had a sealed in quarter panel window leak. I had it serviced fine. I never have pulled a body glass out and put it back in. The cost of the glass was $750. The job $75.
I ended up with a worse leak than I hard before. The shop insisted it was a body problem...I went back and forth with them. They totally showed me the glass wasn't leaking though.
Little did I know that they stripped out a screw that held my weatherstrip retainer. The most critical screw actually. They also superglued it to the retainer so I had no idea it wasn't tight.
I finally took a weekend with a hose and took out all the plastic pieces in the interior on that side to see where the water was coming in at.
My fix was to mix up some JB Weld, dip a toothpick in it and stick it up into the screwhole and pull it out. It left just enough material behind. I let it cure.
Then I applied a couple strips of silicone to the weatherstrip retainer because they messed up the original foam that was there as well. I screwed it in solid.
We have had major rains fortunately....but my interior is dry still.
There was also a recent body shop job that I was back to them twice and still it was off, turns out they didn't order the brackets for the bumper.
When I have work done it's by the higher end shops...my cars are a bit unusual.
your own car: get the Factory Service Manual.
Buy tools as you need them. I'd start on the simple maintenance items first though. Those are made usually to be easily serviced.
They have auto mechanics a lot of times at night classes at a local high school's adult education programs.
I started working on cars practically at birth with my dad. I some ways I think it was a trick since although he can afford to probably have a crew take care of his stuff...I get dragged out to do it.
I will say if you get good at this, you will always know things were done right the first time. I recently had a sealed in quarter panel window leak. I had it serviced fine. I never have pulled a body glass out and put it back in. The cost of the glass was $750. The job $75.
I ended up with a worse leak than I hard before. The shop insisted it was a body problem...I went back and forth with them. They totally showed me the glass wasn't leaking though.
Little did I know that they stripped out a screw that held my weatherstrip retainer. The most critical screw actually. They also superglued it to the retainer so I had no idea it wasn't tight.
I finally took a weekend with a hose and took out all the plastic pieces in the interior on that side to see where the water was coming in at.
My fix was to mix up some JB Weld, dip a toothpick in it and stick it up into the screwhole and pull it out. It left just enough material behind. I let it cure.
Then I applied a couple strips of silicone to the weatherstrip retainer because they messed up the original foam that was there as well. I screwed it in solid.
We have had major rains fortunately....but my interior is dry still.
There was also a recent body shop job that I was back to them twice and still it was off, turns out they didn't order the brackets for the bumper.
When I have work done it's by the higher end shops...my cars are a bit unusual.
Basically you want to learn on a car that isn't your main car. And it needs to have something wrong with it that you can fix. It doesn't make sense to take apart a working car just so that you can mess with it. Buy a used car with a fixable problem, and fix it yourself.
My recommendation would be to find a 4-cylinder car on Craigslist that has a blown head gasket. You can probably find an old Saturn for $500 or less. Do the head gasket repair yourself. In the process you will find out all about removing/replacing all the external engine accessories (alternator, air conditioning compressor, water pump, power steering, etc.), the internal engine timing (timing chain or timing belt), intake and exhaust manifolds with associated sensors and controls (throttle body, O2 sensors, TPS, EGR, IAC valve), and how to torque stuff correctly. You will probably spend about $50 in parts and need to buy about $200-$300 in tools before it's all said and done. Buy the Haynes and/or Chilton book for the model car and use it to help you. There are also all kinds of helpful videos on YouTube, depending on the popularity of the car in question.... there is also probably a dedicated forum on the web somewhere for just about every make and model of car where you can ask for help.
I recommend a Saturn because I recently replaced the cylinder head on one myself, having never done such a thing before. There are lots of Saturn fans out there, and Saturns are fairly easy to work on, and all the old 4-cylinder models (SL, SC, or SW) have pretty much the same 1.9-liter engine so it's fairly easy to find info. Then when you are done you can either keep the car or sell it and probably get your money back, including what you put into tools.
I would not recommend getting a car or truck with a "V" engine (V-6, V-8) to work on for your first project. They usually do not leave much room to work on the engine while it's still in the car, and pulling the engine is probably asking too much for your first try at this. Something with 4 cylinders will usually be roomy enough in the engine bay to work on without pulling the engine.
A head gasket is a good, fairly easy problem to fix for a first-timer. It lets you dig deep into the engine, but there's really not that much that you can screw up. Things like fixing transmission problems or bearing replacement is not for the beginner IMO. Replacing the clutch might be an option, but detailed transmission or engine rebuilding work is for the pros IMO.... unless you've got a LOT of specialized tools and time on your hands!
My recommendation would be to find a 4-cylinder car on Craigslist that has a blown head gasket. You can probably find an old Saturn for $500 or less. Do the head gasket repair yourself. In the process you will find out all about removing/replacing all the external engine accessories (alternator, air conditioning compressor, water pump, power steering, etc.), the internal engine timing (timing chain or timing belt), intake and exhaust manifolds with associated sensors and controls (throttle body, O2 sensors, TPS, EGR, IAC valve), and how to torque stuff correctly. You will probably spend about $50 in parts and need to buy about $200-$300 in tools before it's all said and done. Buy the Haynes and/or Chilton book for the model car and use it to help you. There are also all kinds of helpful videos on YouTube, depending on the popularity of the car in question.... there is also probably a dedicated forum on the web somewhere for just about every make and model of car where you can ask for help.
I recommend a Saturn because I recently replaced the cylinder head on one myself, having never done such a thing before. There are lots of Saturn fans out there, and Saturns are fairly easy to work on, and all the old 4-cylinder models (SL, SC, or SW) have pretty much the same 1.9-liter engine so it's fairly easy to find info. Then when you are done you can either keep the car or sell it and probably get your money back, including what you put into tools.
I would not recommend getting a car or truck with a "V" engine (V-6, V-8) to work on for your first project. They usually do not leave much room to work on the engine while it's still in the car, and pulling the engine is probably asking too much for your first try at this. Something with 4 cylinders will usually be roomy enough in the engine bay to work on without pulling the engine.
A head gasket is a good, fairly easy problem to fix for a first-timer. It lets you dig deep into the engine, but there's really not that much that you can screw up. Things like fixing transmission problems or bearing replacement is not for the beginner IMO. Replacing the clutch might be an option, but detailed transmission or engine rebuilding work is for the pros IMO.... unless you've got a LOT of specialized tools and time on your hands!
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,580
- 982
- 126
T2urtle
Diamond Member
- Oct 18, 2004
- 3,432
- 3
- 81
+1 on that.
In today's world, its really easy now. With FSM posted all over the net or you can buy them for $50 if you have a rarer type of car with no forum. YOUTUBE is about the best thing. It might not have your exact car but you can get an general idea. there are least 100 videos on front brakes on many cars on there. I looked at reivews of harbor frieght tools, like tire dismounting tool, AC recharge and etc.
On a side note, you dont need expensive tools. I would get a solid 100-300pc craftsman tool kit to start ( pending on budget). Get a nice floor jack and 2 jackstands to start ( you will want 4 or more later on ) A nice breaker bar for the lug nuts.
Best to learn on a semi-old common car with strong forum help. A honda civic/accord would be great. My first car was a camry and i was toyotanation.com, learned to do lots of stuff. Moved on a maxima and went to maxima.org and now i'm on a G35 so g35driver.com/ my350z.com. Its a lot easier learning common problems on these forums.
Going to lincoln tech, might give you an understand of how things work, you might not be interested in that. If all you want is basic work. Lincoln tech would be for a possible career.
Start by doing your oil change.
Needed stuff,
the needed qty of oil
oil filter
oil catch pan
jack
jack stands
basic 10mm to 19mm socket
3/8 ratchet
1/2 ratchet
1/2 to 3/8 adapter
10mm to 19mm wrench.
That should cover it
Needed stuff,
the needed qty of oil
oil filter
oil catch pan
jack
jack stands
basic 10mm to 19mm socket
3/8 ratchet
1/2 ratchet
1/2 to 3/8 adapter
10mm to 19mm wrench.
That should cover it
T2urtle
Diamond Member
- Oct 18, 2004
- 3,432
- 3
- 81
Your pan should look like this:
http://www.difflock.com/buyersguide/newproducts/oil-drain-pans/17ltr_drainpan.jpg
and not this:
http://www.toolstation.com/images/library/stock/webbig/69629.jpg
The first one I ever got had a pouring spout like that, and it was retardedly difficult to cleanly pour the oil back into the gallon jug.
Also buy a box of latex gloves and a lot of rolls of shop towels.
1prophet
Diamond Member
- Aug 17, 2005
- 5,313
- 534
- 126
Nah,
Get these instead, less mess to deal with and much less accidental spills.
http://media.noria.com/sites/archive_images/Backup_200301_Lub101-OilPan.jpg
http://www.oilfiltersonline.com/images/products/large/15DC09.jpg
jlee
Lifer
- Sep 12, 2001
- 48,518
- 223
- 106
Do you have any 'car guy' friends? IMHO that's one of the best ways to learn - hang out with people who have an idea of what they're doing. I learned some stuff from my uncle and some on my own..but I still try to find someone else with a bit more know-how than I do when I'm doing something I am not familiar with.
Tristicus
Diamond Member
mmntech
Lifer
- Sep 20, 2007
- 17,501
- 12
- 0
Talk to and work with some car guys. I don't know all that much but most of what I do know, I learned this way. Working in small engines is also a great way to pick up the basics. Buy something cheap like an OS hobby engine. Take it apart, put it back together, learn how to tune it.
Find a friend with a garage, get an extra car that needs some help, then go to town :awe:
I'd recommend getting a car that you have a goal for so your efforts will be clear and focused. I.E. don't get a car to "work on" but rather get a car to strip and prep for auto-x, or an old convertible to turn into a 'Sunday driver.'
Like many have mentioned, youtube, how-to forum threads, and service manuals will be your best friend.
I'd recommend getting a car that you have a goal for so your efforts will be clear and focused. I.E. don't get a car to "work on" but rather get a car to strip and prep for auto-x, or an old convertible to turn into a 'Sunday driver.'
Like many have mentioned, youtube, how-to forum threads, and service manuals will be your best friend.
jlee
Lifer
- Sep 12, 2001
- 48,518
- 223
- 106
I don't think many decide they just want to work on cars when they don't have one that needs work, either.
IcePickFreak
Platinum Member
- Jul 12, 2007
- 2,428
- 9
- 81
This. Only way you're going to learn is by getting in there and working on em. Definitely helps if you have friends/relatives to work with. Obviously if they have experience it's ideal, but even if they don't it better to have more than one set of hands and one brain. We use to do engine swaps before we could even drive outside the back of one of my friends relatives bar. A lot of it was with G-body vehicles which are (or at least were at the time) cheap to work on.
Heck we use to even spray cars in garages with great results. Visqueen the ceiling to keep dust from falling, wet down the floor to keep dust from blowing up, and go at it. It's really all in the prep work.
twinrider1
Diamond Member
- Sep 28, 2003
- 4,096
- 64
- 91
Heck we use to even spray cars in garages with great results.
lol, yep. I remember my dad painted his van in the driveway. Full size fan, two tone, turned out nice.
OP, do you have a place to work on a car?
Local code enforcers, crabby old neighbors, it's not as easy to work in your driveway these days.
lol, yep. I remember my dad painted his van in the driveway. Full size fan, two tone, turned out nice.
OP, do you have a place to work on a car?
Local code enforcers, crabby old neighbors, it's not as easy to work in your driveway these days.
Last edited:
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
- 24,514
- 44
- 91
The best way to learn about cars is to combine three personality traits:
1) Be cheap.
3) Be resourceful.
2) Desire "special" cars enough to buy old, worn-out examples because you want them that much.
Put those together and you have the perfect recipe for forcing yourself to learn how to do your own maintenance. It also helps if you were the kid who took everything apart as a child.
The following may not apply to you depending on how old you are, but it's related and I'm feeling a bit crotchety today, so here goes.
It's not all that uncommon for me to have someone tell me that they have, "always wanted to learn how to work on their car." Nine times out of ten (and ten times out of ten in the case of people older than their late 20's) my initial reaction, at least internally, is, "No you haven't." These people will ask advice about how to learn and how to get started, but the next time their car needs something simple, like an oil change or new spark plugs, they take it into the shop. When I ask why they didn't just ask me to walk them through it they hem and haw about not having the time or about not wanting to have to go to the parts store or about wanting the peace of mind from having a "professional" do the work. Then I nod and smile and take a little bit of internal pleasure at having been right.
The opportunities are there. A Chilton or Haynes manual is $25. A good basic tool set can be had for under $100 from Sears (and under $50 if you wait for a sale). A pair of ramps can be had from Harbor Freight for less than $20. This is all well within the reach of anyone who can also afford to buy a car in the first place. If you want to do it, then do it. Getting your hands dirty, bloodying your knuckles and occasionally breaking something is the only way to start figuring things out.
ZV
1) Be cheap.
3) Be resourceful.
2) Desire "special" cars enough to buy old, worn-out examples because you want them that much.
Put those together and you have the perfect recipe for forcing yourself to learn how to do your own maintenance. It also helps if you were the kid who took everything apart as a child.
The following may not apply to you depending on how old you are, but it's related and I'm feeling a bit crotchety today, so here goes.
It's not all that uncommon for me to have someone tell me that they have, "always wanted to learn how to work on their car." Nine times out of ten (and ten times out of ten in the case of people older than their late 20's) my initial reaction, at least internally, is, "No you haven't." These people will ask advice about how to learn and how to get started, but the next time their car needs something simple, like an oil change or new spark plugs, they take it into the shop. When I ask why they didn't just ask me to walk them through it they hem and haw about not having the time or about not wanting to have to go to the parts store or about wanting the peace of mind from having a "professional" do the work. Then I nod and smile and take a little bit of internal pleasure at having been right.
The opportunities are there. A Chilton or Haynes manual is $25. A good basic tool set can be had for under $100 from Sears (and under $50 if you wait for a sale). A pair of ramps can be had from Harbor Freight for less than $20. This is all well within the reach of anyone who can also afford to buy a car in the first place. If you want to do it, then do it. Getting your hands dirty, bloodying your knuckles and occasionally breaking something is the only way to start figuring things out.
ZV
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