Good, cheap car to learn spannering on

[funkyrobot]

rb5er said:

Japanese and German car parts can be expensive.

If you literally just want to learn I would consider something cheap with cheap parts like a fiesta.

If you want something that you can turn into a project though and have fun with the resulting car then I think perhaps a Japanese car or a classic car is the way to go.

Edited by rb5er on Saturday 15th March 15:10

There is an old Mitsubishi of some kind parked up on my route into work. Noticed it this morning. I think it's a Carisma or something like that and it has a price of £650 in the window. Could be worth a look and a haggle if the parts aren't too bad.

Not the most desirable vehicle, but could be something cheap to get started on.

[funkyrobot]

DubZeus said:

Micra k11, bought mine £170 & it has a timing chain so less to stress about

Plenty of when whizzing around with takeaways on the passenger seats. Cheap fixing of these cars could be a lucrative business for the fast food industry.

[funkyrobot]

Riley Blue said:

funkyrobot said:

So, PH, what is the best way to get stuck in and learn some new skills? I have drive space for a vehicle and a garage to fit plenty of tools in. I have a shed budget too.

Does your local college run evening courses on car maintenance? If so, that's a good place to start. When I went to evening classes I could even take my own car in to work on.

Noticed yesterday that a local college have their car workshop around the corner from where I live. I'll take a look.

[SuperHangOn]

An old Volvo does sound a good idea. I don't have much experience of them but have a mate who runs an old 850 on a horrible M25 drive every day and can't praise it enough. He DIY's everything and buys parts from scrappies. A very solid, comfy thing.

[funkyrobot]

FatSumo said:

Wish you had posted this two weeks ago, I'd have given you my FTO rather than scrapped it

Wow. Thanks. Missed it though.

[funkyrobot]

bitwrx said:

Peugeot 106, an early carburated one. All the important bits generally stay working, and all the service items are easy to do. You can also build up confidence by replacing all the flimsy non-essential bits as they fall off!

My mechanic friend had one and used to do all of his own work on it. Could be a good place to start as he could help for some beer tokens.

[funkyrobot]

SuperHangOn said:

An old Volvo does sound a good idea. I don't have much experience of them but have a mate who runs an old 850 on a horrible M25 drive every day and can't praise it enough. He DIY's everything and buys parts from scrappies. A very solid, comfy thing.

Sounds good.

My grandparents used to own a high spec 960. It was a great big lump of a car (I was about 12 at the time).

[andy-xr]

funkyrobot said:

Oh yes, I know this may sound really sad to some on here, but I bought my first Haynes manual the other day. I think my fiancee has a problem with a coolant temperature sensor on her Polo, so I'm going to see if I can replace it.

Also, does anyone know which tools to buy? I have a local Halfords and have noticed that they do Halfords Advanced Professional sets of spanners, ratchets etc. Are these worth a punt?

According to Google it's just a retaining clip, so in the absence of a socket set a screwdriver or lever will do. Depending on year, there looks to be a simple enough to follow video on YouTube, and to be sure, a fault code reader will tell you whether you're looking at fixing the right thing.

Often YouTube and forums are better than Haynes, which starts off at #1) Remove engine and ends with #3323) Refitting is the reverse of removal

Things I always have a need for

- Socket set, Halfords is fine
- Grips
- Terminal stripper
- Fault code reader
- selection of spanners from 10mm - 17mm
- few long sockets, 17mm / 19mm / 22mm
- trolley jack
- torque wrench
- hammer

With later cars you're probably better picking up something that has torx drivers in the socket set as well as standard sized sockets, I can never get enough grip from a torx screwdriver and find a ratchet easier.

[funkyrobot]

STW2010 said:

I find my e46 easy to work on. Perhaps pick up one of the first ones in saloon form? These are very cheap now.

Best way to get stuck in is to remove something, then put it (or the replacement) back on. Sounds simple, but start with the air box, then work up to removing the alternator (which means removing the belts first). Do an oil change. Change the brake pads (and discs, though these are a slight step up).

For all of the above you will need nothing more than a basic socket set, torx set and a jack/axle stands.

This is why I'd like another car that isn't my main one. You simply cannot do these things to your primary form of transport. As I have off road parking, I don't even need to bother with tax, insurance etc for now (I know the SORN rules).

[funkyrobot]

andy-xr said:

According to Google it's just a retaining clip, so in the absence of a socket set a screwdriver or lever will do. Depending on year, there looks to be a simple enough to follow video on YouTube, and to be sure, a fault code reader will tell you whether you're looking at fixing the right thing.

Often YouTube and forums are better than Haynes, which starts off at #1) Remove engine and ends with #3323) Refitting is the reverse of removal

Things I always have a need for

- Socket set, Halfords is fine
- Grips
- Terminal stripper
- Fault code reader
- selection of spanners from 10mm - 17mm
- few long sockets, 17mm / 19mm / 22mm
- trolley jack
- torque wrench
- hammer

With later cars you're probably better picking up something that has torx drivers in the socket set as well as standard sized sockets, I can never get enough grip from a torx screwdriver and find a ratchet easier.

Thanks. I've just been reading about how to use a trolley jock on surfaces like gravel. Apparently, someone has said they have a lot of success with thick gym mats.

Yes, Youtube seems a great resource. I've seen a few videos re the coolant sensor and they show pretty much 80% of the job. I think a combination of that and the Haynes will give me all I need to know.

Thanks for the list of tool requirements.

[andy-xr]

NP

Whenever I jack the car up I always give it a sideways push when it's off the ground to make sure the jack is seated before I get underneath it.

I dont own axle stands so tend to make do with a spare wheel if I'm at the side of the car. 2 wheels on pavement and a little suspension push up from a jack mean I can use a creeper if I want to get underneath with the wheels still on.

[bqf]

Good man! I have done exactly the same thing - can't really do any spannering at all, nothing, zip, nada, decided that this, my 42nd year, was the time to change.

I bought an Alfa GTV 3.0 V6

It's going to be a hoot. It's Italian, so obviously every single fastener in the engine bay is rustier than a sunken ship. Even changing the air filter is a nightmare

Tools wise I use machine mart. The Clarke stuff is cheap and fairly good quality for the occasional spannerist.

You'll definitely need axle stands, a trolley jack, a good set of ratchet spanners (bendy heads help), sockets, and a breaker bar for the wheels. Torque wrench is a must also. Oil pan, oil filter wrench also useful. I've started with changing filters and oil and I have to say it's very satisfying.

[AJS-]

Old Vauxhalls are a good bet - tons of them around cheap, fairly simple and lots of bits available in scrap yards.

[Emeye]

See if you can get a fellow PHer to give you a car. your can have many an hour of fun like this guy:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Blib]

OP. I'm in the same position as you. To this end, I bought a 1970 Fiat 500 and I intend to restore it myself, as far as possible, as a birthday present for Mrs Blib, with the help and guidance of a very good friend of mine, who is a mechanic.

I received my first Haynes manual through the post last week. I was so proud!

Good luck !

[funkyrobot]

bqf said:

Good man! I have done exactly the same thing - can't really do any spannering at all, nothing, zip, nada, decided that this, my 42nd year, was the time to change.

I bought an Alfa GTV 3.0 V6

It's going to be a hoot. It's Italian, so obviously every single fastener in the engine bay is rustier than a sunken ship. Even changing the air filter is a nightmare

Tools wise I use machine mart. The Clarke stuff is cheap and fairly good quality for the occasional spannerist.

You'll definitely need axle stands, a trolley jack, a good set of ratchet spanners (bendy heads help), sockets, and a breaker bar for the wheels. Torque wrench is a must also. Oil pan, oil filter wrench also useful. I've started with changing filters and oil and I have to say it's very satisfying.

It's good to hear from someone in exactly the same position as myself. I don't have an Alfa yet though.

Hope it goes well and you learn plenty. Thanks for the tool list.

[funkyrobot]

Blib said:

OP. I'm in the same position as you. To this end, I bought a 1970 Fiat 500 and I intend to restore it myself, as far as possible, as a birthday present for Mrs Blib, with the help and guidance of a very good friend of mine, who is a mechanic.

I received my first Haynes manual through the post last week. I was so proud!

Good luck !

I know how receipt of the first manual feels.

Good luck with the car.

[funkyrobot]

Emeye said:

See if you can get a fellow PHer to give you a car. your can have many an hour of fun like this guy:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Wow. Going to have a good read of that thread.

[funkyrobot]

AJS- said:

Old Vauxhalls are a good bet - tons of them around cheap, fairly simple and lots of bits available in scrap yards.

Good point. Owned an Astra a few years ago and because I didn't know what I was doing, ended up spending a bit on it. I'm determined for this to never happen again.

[funkyrobot]

andy-xr said:

NP

Whenever I jack the car up I always give it a sideways push when it's off the ground to make sure the jack is seated before I get underneath it.

I dont own axle stands so tend to make do with a spare wheel if I'm at the side of the car. 2 wheels on pavement and a little suspension push up from a jack mean I can use a creeper if I want to get underneath with the wheels still on.

Thanks for the sideways push note. Very good advice.