Where can I learn

[Hanuman]

Ok, I admit it it. I know very little about cars. I can drive em, I know when to bring em in, and I can probably point out most of the parts under the hood. Don't ask me to change or remove anything, I don't know how a catalytic converter works, I'm not sure sure what overdrive is on some cars and I have no idea if synthetic oil is better then regular oil.

I feel like I'm less of a man for this (stupid social conditioning). I know that most men today are in the same boat I'm in, but I actually do want to learn. Where is a good place I can pick up some classes in basic auto repair/maintenance? I don't want to join Apex tech or anything that extreme, but do colleges offer courses? If you guys have any suggestions (that are cheap) let me know! Thanks!

[wylin]

www.howstuffworks.com

for automechanic i think ur kinda SOL unless u live in cali where community colleges offer basic courses in repair and maintenance. the best way is to buy urself a factory service manual (100$) and start doing the basic maintence as perscribed by the manual.

[mrazntre]

you're a good man tawee.


1) do you have tools?
2) do you know what those tools do?
3) do you know how to use those tools?

Those are probably the first three basic things you need to know. When you start to wrench, you have to develop the "feel" for tightening and and untightening. As ridiculous as it may sound, that's just how it is. You have to know when the screw is aligned and ready to go, or whether it's just on the cusp of the thread. just start out on unimportant bolts, remember not to torque down the bolt too tightly.

uhmm.. as for the AUTO part... Haynes manual or Chilton's manual will do you pretty good since it covers a few things that the factory manual doesn't. Altho the factory manual is pretty inclusive. There are a lot of different tricks and techniques that you can learn. Plus. it's fun!

[Hanuman]

Originally posted by mrazntre@Nov 21 2002, 07:46 PM
you're a good man tawee.


1) do you have tools?
2) do you know what those tools do?
3) do you know how to use those tools?

Those are probably the first three basic things you need to know. When you start to wrench, you have to develop the "feel" for tightening and and untightening. As ridiculous as it may sound, that's just how it is. You have to know when the screw is aligned and ready to go, or whether it's just on the cusp of the thread. just start out on unimportant bolts, remember not to torque down the bolt too tightly.

uhmm.. as for the AUTO part... Haynes manual or Chilton's manual will do you pretty good since it covers a few things that the factory manual doesn't. Altho the factory manual is pretty inclusive. There are a lot of different tricks and techniques that you can learn. Plus. it's fun!
Thanks guys! You know I've brought a Chilton's manual for my VW Scirocco and one for my motorcycle, but I never cracked it open. I glanced at it once and I couldn't make heads or tails of any of it. Don't know if it's cause I feel intimidated or just lazy. I think my best bet is to buy a hunk of junk, the manual and just putz around....

Maybe I'll get my old man into it, I can use his garage and he might be interested. In any case, that for the suggestions tre and you too wylin.

[ren28]

I'd say... get a feel of how a four stroke engine (normal car engine) works and go from there. The concept is very simple but of course working on it is much harder because things are hard to reach.

[Hanuman]

I've always wanted to do just that. I still don't get how it works. Will I have to actually disassemble one to see for myself? This is starting to sound expensive too. Coudn't I start with a lawn mower engine?

[ren28]

Originally posted by Tawee@Nov 24 2002, 02:10 AM
I've always wanted to do just that. I still don't get how it works. Will I have to actually disassemble one to see for myself? This is starting to sound expensive too. Coudn't I start with a lawn mower engine?
I think most lawnmowers have two stroke engines. You could try asking someone with an expensive R/C car or plane. If you have a mechanic you always go to, you can ask him/her to show you an engine in various stages of repair.

[mrazntre]

Originally posted by Tawee@Nov 24 2002, 10:10 AM
I've always wanted to do just that. I still don't get how it works. Will I have to actually disassemble one to see for myself? This is starting to sound expensive too. Coudn't I start with a lawn mower engine?
yes.


you will have to disassemble one for yourself. even with pictures and sketches and diagrammatics, it is really hard to visualize all that is in an engine. you can get the basic essential functions of the motor, but you have to really see the parts to understand what they do. it's much easier as a hands on type of thing. you can see where coolant hoses go to follow the cooling route, etc. simple things of that nature will really help when you start to dissect unknown motors and will help you become more mechanically inclined.

[lethal]

Can you go to a junkyard and buy an engine? How much would that run?

[ren28]

If you have an auto-mechanic friend, you can get a busted engine free. :D