How to learn to work on cars?
Discussion
Hello,
I recently passed my driving test and have been enjoying driving immensely, however it has also made me realise that although I know quite a bit about cars I know next to nothing about how to fix them. I was wondering what would be the cheapest method of learning to repair cars as a sort of personal hobby in my spare time? I am not looking to do anything crazy (yet
... ), and I'd rather not practice on my own car until I'm confident but was thinking along the lines of changing spark plugs, refurbing wheels, oil changes etc and progressing from there. My initial idea was to buy the cheapest running car I could find ( doesn't need to be road worthy) and just buying a haynes manual and utilising youtube and just leaving it in my garage and fiddling about with it. Any ideas would be appreciated, especially cheap ones!
Thanks.
I recently passed my driving test and have been enjoying driving immensely, however it has also made me realise that although I know quite a bit about cars I know next to nothing about how to fix them. I was wondering what would be the cheapest method of learning to repair cars as a sort of personal hobby in my spare time? I am not looking to do anything crazy (yet
... ), and I'd rather not practice on my own car until I'm confident but was thinking along the lines of changing spark plugs, refurbing wheels, oil changes etc and progressing from there. My initial idea was to buy the cheapest running car I could find ( doesn't need to be road worthy) and just buying a haynes manual and utilising youtube and just leaving it in my garage and fiddling about with it. Any ideas would be appreciated, especially cheap ones!Thanks.
Buy yourself a simple car which has a Haynes manual, get down to Halfords next time they have a half price on a socket set, and start with the simplest jobs (a service).
Minimum tools (imo): socket set, ring spanner set, adjustable mole grips, axle stands, bucket and funnel (for oil draining, don't bother with a pan etc, just get a good sturdy bucket), and a few screwdrivers and a hammer. If you start doing suspension components buy an angle grinder with a cutting disk for getting off old drop links/track rod ends.
After that it's a slippery slope. That's how I started, I've now fallen into the pit of Sarlacc with a MIG welder, TIG on the horizon, air compressor, engine crane, 10T press... The list goes on.
Minimum tools (imo): socket set, ring spanner set, adjustable mole grips, axle stands, bucket and funnel (for oil draining, don't bother with a pan etc, just get a good sturdy bucket), and a few screwdrivers and a hammer. If you start doing suspension components buy an angle grinder with a cutting disk for getting off old drop links/track rod ends.
After that it's a slippery slope. That's how I started, I've now fallen into the pit of Sarlacc with a MIG welder, TIG on the horizon, air compressor, engine crane, 10T press... The list goes on.
What they've said so far, but with the caveat you buy an example of a car that sold very well, this way there should be plenty of parts around for peanuts at breakers.
Buy it, run it and fix stuff when you need to with the help of the Internet as mentioned above.
My vectra b is still going despite a general lack of attention over the years, but I've done a few bits that have helped keep it going.
Our zafira developed a central locking problem recently. Quick bit of Internet research and a cheap rolson soldering iron from the local coop later (via a bit of buggering about) and it's working as new for now.
Buy something common, it will have common problems with common solutions. Fix them and learn along the way.
Buy it, run it and fix stuff when you need to with the help of the Internet as mentioned above.
My vectra b is still going despite a general lack of attention over the years, but I've done a few bits that have helped keep it going.
Our zafira developed a central locking problem recently. Quick bit of Internet research and a cheap rolson soldering iron from the local coop later (via a bit of buggering about) and it's working as new for now.
Buy something common, it will have common problems with common solutions. Fix them and learn along the way.
Some good advice in here already and it sounds like you're on the right track - practice is the answer. I'm not much older than you and learnt spannering as and when work needed doing on my cars, through a combination of a couple of knowledgeable friends and the wealth of information available on the web these days. Now I'm fairly competent and able to do routine maintenance for friends and family, which is yet more practice, and so on 
I'm currently turning an old BMW into a track day car and so far, except for an extra pair of hands for some jobs, have done everything myself.
Apart from saving you an absolute fortune, it's extremely satisfying to do mechanical work yourself and for the most part really not that difficult. Just make sure you research what you're doing properly, and make sure you understand it, and you'll do just fine. Get stuck in!
I'd echo the above about buying decent tools, the Halfords Professional range is an excellent starting point and what I've used for years. Their 150 piece socket set is plenty to start you off, then just buy more specialist items as you need them. A decent jack and axle stands are a must too. If you do buy a second car to work on, try and pick something that has a strong owners' community - BMWs are awesome because whatever issue you have or job you want to do, someone will have written a DIY for it somewhere. They come apart quite well too. Avoid things that rust or cars that have been neglected, the least fun part of amateur mechanics is trying to undo seized s
t.
I'm currently turning an old BMW into a track day car and so far, except for an extra pair of hands for some jobs, have done everything myself.Apart from saving you an absolute fortune, it's extremely satisfying to do mechanical work yourself and for the most part really not that difficult. Just make sure you research what you're doing properly, and make sure you understand it, and you'll do just fine. Get stuck in!
I'd echo the above about buying decent tools, the Halfords Professional range is an excellent starting point and what I've used for years. Their 150 piece socket set is plenty to start you off, then just buy more specialist items as you need them. A decent jack and axle stands are a must too. If you do buy a second car to work on, try and pick something that has a strong owners' community - BMWs are awesome because whatever issue you have or job you want to do, someone will have written a DIY for it somewhere. They come apart quite well too. Avoid things that rust or cars that have been neglected, the least fun part of amateur mechanics is trying to undo seized s
t.Spark plugs and oil are very basic and a good start. As for refurbing wheel's it's just not worth the time and effort when it's so cheap to get them done properly -
By the time you buy all the materials and pay for someone to remove your tyres just to have paint and lacquer run etc.
There is little satisfaction compared to a freshly flawless powdercoat.
By the time you buy all the materials and pay for someone to remove your tyres just to have paint and lacquer run etc.
There is little satisfaction compared to a freshly flawless powdercoat.
DuraAce said:
Work on your own car one job at a time. When something needs doing, research via owners clubs/forums/youtube/Haynes manaul etc and have a bash.
Buy decent tools as you need them,
This is my method of working. When things start breaking my thinking isn't 'what garage is best locally to me?', rather 'how the fBuy decent tools as you need them,
k do I fix that then?'. Once you're in that frame of mind you'll be away.
Cheaper cars are obviously better for this, I wouldn't do a cambelt change on a 20k car for instance.
Krikkit said:
Buy yourself a simple car which has a Haynes manual, get down to Halfords next time they have a half price on a socket set, and start with the simplest jobs (a service).
Minimum tools (imo): socket set, ring spanner set, adjustable mole grips, axle stands, bucket and funnel (for oil draining, don't bother with a pan etc, just get a good sturdy bucket), and a few screwdrivers and a hammer. If you start doing suspension components buy an angle grinder with a cutting disk for getting off old drop links/track rod ends.
After that it's a slippery slope. That's how I started, I've now fallen into the pit of Sarlacc with a MIG welder, TIG on the horizon, air compressor, engine crane, 10T press... The list goes on.
As for suspension -a blowlamp is a worthwhile addition, as is the knowledge of where to use it ( as in not on grease filled components you intend to use again). Add in a ball joint breaker ,and a torque wrench . For oil changes- no need for fancy containers- adapt a gallon ( or bigger ) plastic container, or an old oil container, and cut a hole in the side. oil filters- lump of rag wrapped round and tightened with screwdriver usually suffices, else use an OLD screwdriver to punch hole and unscrew, using the screwdriver to lever the filter off. . Minimum tools (imo): socket set, ring spanner set, adjustable mole grips, axle stands, bucket and funnel (for oil draining, don't bother with a pan etc, just get a good sturdy bucket), and a few screwdrivers and a hammer. If you start doing suspension components buy an angle grinder with a cutting disk for getting off old drop links/track rod ends.
After that it's a slippery slope. That's how I started, I've now fallen into the pit of Sarlacc with a MIG welder, TIG on the horizon, air compressor, engine crane, 10T press... The list goes on.
copestake said:
V8forweekends said:
But did you need to buy any tools?
I assume you wrote this before I had chance to edit my post. I started with a Halfords set and brought other tools mainly from Machine Mart as I went along.carl_w said:
Do your local adult education classes offer a course? Check your local council's website -- often they're run in conjunction with local colleges.
This^^^^Don't for god sake take the word of a load of drive way mechanics, get yourself on an evening course and get some kind of tuition from some one thats been doing the job then look at buying tools and investing your money.
Marvib said:
copestake said:
V8forweekends said:
But did you need to buy any tools?
I assume you wrote this before I had chance to edit my post. I started with a Halfords set and brought other tools mainly from Machine Mart as I went along.Anyway OP. Just get stuck in but I would recommend that owners' club suggestion above.
There are lots of little tips and techniques that many of us take for granted that will make life that much easier...
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