Anyone bought a cheap runaround to learn spannering on?
Discussion
Thanks for the comments all. I haven't been ignoring them, just had a very, very busy week at work.
The need for learning spannering has partly appeared because due to us becoming parents, my fiancee isn't working now. We are going to see how it goes with her being a full time mum for a bit. Therefore, as well as wanting to learn more, I think it will be a very useful and money saving skill.
I'm also trying to get into something cheaper to run, so knowing a bit would help with this. I run a 2.0 litre petrol Mazda and to be honest, have been paying a lot for the upkeep of the car. It would be brilliant to do my own work on it. The problem is, I need it for work which is 25 miles away. I can't risk doing anything on it, breaking it and then being stuck until someone more competent can fix it.
I have a bit of money set aside to pick up something cheap and cheerful to run initially as a second car. With my main car not being ruined by me, it will be ideal to learn on something else and still be able to go to work. The plan is to then become a bit more savvy and confident, pick up something cheaper that is better on fuel, and run that as the main car.
Working on my fiancee's runaround Polo would also be an added bonus.
I'll have a good look through the thread and post some responses later. Thanks again all.
Oh yes, as I speak the Mazda has sprung a nice new knocking sound from the rear wheel. Something went 'twang' a few weeks ago and every time I drive over a small bump, the rear right crashes and bangs rather than bumps.
The need for learning spannering has partly appeared because due to us becoming parents, my fiancee isn't working now. We are going to see how it goes with her being a full time mum for a bit. Therefore, as well as wanting to learn more, I think it will be a very useful and money saving skill.
I'm also trying to get into something cheaper to run, so knowing a bit would help with this. I run a 2.0 litre petrol Mazda and to be honest, have been paying a lot for the upkeep of the car. It would be brilliant to do my own work on it. The problem is, I need it for work which is 25 miles away. I can't risk doing anything on it, breaking it and then being stuck until someone more competent can fix it.
I have a bit of money set aside to pick up something cheap and cheerful to run initially as a second car. With my main car not being ruined by me, it will be ideal to learn on something else and still be able to go to work. The plan is to then become a bit more savvy and confident, pick up something cheaper that is better on fuel, and run that as the main car.
Working on my fiancee's runaround Polo would also be an added bonus.
I'll have a good look through the thread and post some responses later. Thanks again all.
Oh yes, as I speak the Mazda has sprung a nice new knocking sound from the rear wheel. Something went 'twang' a few weeks ago and every time I drive over a small bump, the rear right crashes and bangs rather than bumps.
been learning alot from my jaguar xkr recently as lots of secret menus that can be accessed without a laptop!
However the best sheds for spanner learning are a Citroen AX and a Toyota MR2 Mk1. The AX was designed to teach new drivers about mechanics, I bought mine to learn how to do fibreglass repairs and promptly smashed holes in the bonnet!
However the best sheds for spanner learning are a Citroen AX and a Toyota MR2 Mk1. The AX was designed to teach new drivers about mechanics, I bought mine to learn how to do fibreglass repairs and promptly smashed holes in the bonnet!
MK1 or MK2 golf is a good starting point for basic spannering, auto electrical and understanding how cars work, especially the injected cars, with mech fuel injection. They are hardy, even for ham fisted amateurs and parts are cheap and available.
The old Haynes manuals also provide a good introduction to cars and add the bonus of the "just remove the bolt" instructions (which require a double jointed 8 fingered midget to get around)
OBD11 cars are great, once you understand the basics, a little reading on electronic fuel injection and you are on your way.
The trick is to know your limits before you blow, strip or break something expensive and if you do, valuable lesson!
Forums have also made working on cars much easier,a few minutes on a search engine and you are pointed in the right direction.
The old Haynes manuals also provide a good introduction to cars and add the bonus of the "just remove the bolt" instructions (which require a double jointed 8 fingered midget to get around)
OBD11 cars are great, once you understand the basics, a little reading on electronic fuel injection and you are on your way.
The trick is to know your limits before you blow, strip or break something expensive and if you do, valuable lesson!
Forums have also made working on cars much easier,a few minutes on a search engine and you are pointed in the right direction.
Toyota Starlet GT Turbo/Glanza V.
Plenty of shells and parts around, easiest car to work on I've EVER owned (I haven't updated my garage on here much tbh
). You could build one from the ground up into a highly capable track car on a relativeley tight budget and do 99% of the work yourself.
They're like lego.
Buy one now.
Plenty of shells and parts around, easiest car to work on I've EVER owned (I haven't updated my garage on here much tbh
). You could build one from the ground up into a highly capable track car on a relativeley tight budget and do 99% of the work yourself. They're like lego.
Buy one now.
I graduated from a Beetle, via a Mk 2 golf to a 5-pot Audi coupe quattro that I spent as much time underneath as I did driving the b*****d. The latter was a proper learning curve: Sod-all access in the engine bay requiring the hands of a five-year old and at least two universal knuckle joints for the socket set to get at the most common nut heads.
However, it was using OBD1 which necessitated a simple blink-mode diagnostic tool which cost pennies to make (one LED, two wires) and saved me a fortune. I never did any 'big jobs' on it but man did it educate me in how a car is put together and how a well-put together car takes the absolute p**s in its complexity.
My toolbox is splendid now though!
However, it was using OBD1 which necessitated a simple blink-mode diagnostic tool which cost pennies to make (one LED, two wires) and saved me a fortune. I never did any 'big jobs' on it but man did it educate me in how a car is put together and how a well-put together car takes the absolute p**s in its complexity.
My toolbox is splendid now though!
You may not have the time for this approach but it worked for me...
Was much younger, 1 new wife + child + baby no 2 also now on the way. Needed 2 cars but couldn't afford them.
Bought a Morris Minor for £20, as the engine in it was clearly in big trouble, while the clutch was also slipping and the gearbox no longer liked second gear at all. Nursed it home, put it in the garage and went off the buy the Haynes manual.. [Invaluable fount of knowledge - please, please, buy something that has a Haynes manual written for it - this is my absolute top tip..].
Stripped the engine, replaced all the valves/valve springs, [damaged valve was cause of loss of power & misfire]. Dropped the gearbox; replaced it with 3 month old reconditioned one pulled from a totalled PO Van Fitted gearbox back in car plus complete new clutch assembly, obv. Bled braking system, filled it with new brake fluid, checked pads, etc and everything else.
Ran like a train for the next 3 years; then sold for twice what it all cost..
The Minor is a wonderful "first mechanic" car as basically it is just like a big Meccano set. And thanks to a thriving classic scene, you can still get all the parts for them.
Tip number two: always wear latex gloves- your hands, and your Other Half, will thank you..........
Was much younger, 1 new wife + child + baby no 2 also now on the way. Needed 2 cars but couldn't afford them.
Bought a Morris Minor for £20, as the engine in it was clearly in big trouble, while the clutch was also slipping and the gearbox no longer liked second gear at all. Nursed it home, put it in the garage and went off the buy the Haynes manual.. [Invaluable fount of knowledge - please, please, buy something that has a Haynes manual written for it - this is my absolute top tip..].
Stripped the engine, replaced all the valves/valve springs, [damaged valve was cause of loss of power & misfire]. Dropped the gearbox; replaced it with 3 month old reconditioned one pulled from a totalled PO Van Fitted gearbox back in car plus complete new clutch assembly, obv. Bled braking system, filled it with new brake fluid, checked pads, etc and everything else.
Ran like a train for the next 3 years; then sold for twice what it all cost..
The Minor is a wonderful "first mechanic" car as basically it is just like a big Meccano set. And thanks to a thriving classic scene, you can still get all the parts for them.
Tip number two: always wear latex gloves- your hands, and your Other Half, will thank you..........
I did this a few years back with a 2CV. To be fair, I was already a fairly handy mechanic, but the 2CV had a rotten floor and I wanted to learn how to weld. Great fun, I also learned to joys of Citroen brakes, making tools, and all manner of fun. 2CVs now are sadly rather expensive, anything running is £2k up and there are things thata re more fun for that.
Your problem is that your finances don't run to having "spare" cars. An old Landy is great but a thirsty thing if used regularly. You say SWMBO has a Polo runaround, there are worse cars to learn basic spannering on. No need to spend anything then. Get that sorted, she can use it and if your Mazda ever goes sick then you can still get to work until you get time to sort the thing out at the evening or weekend. If you have basic spanner skills even a modern car can be maintained for next to nothing - I've had a £600 Mondeo for a year/10k miles. It's cost me plugs, leads, rear brake pads, 2 bits of suspension for the MoT, and a can of Radweld to fix a leaky heater. It turns in 40+ mpg and it's as boring as s
t. But it goes, and I drive everywhere for work.
I'm currently sniffing for an MX5. I can play with that at weekends and use the Mondy as a snotter. If push comes to shove then if the Mondy goes sick the MX5 (or whatever) can be pressed into service for work.
Your problem is that your finances don't run to having "spare" cars. An old Landy is great but a thirsty thing if used regularly. You say SWMBO has a Polo runaround, there are worse cars to learn basic spannering on. No need to spend anything then. Get that sorted, she can use it and if your Mazda ever goes sick then you can still get to work until you get time to sort the thing out at the evening or weekend. If you have basic spanner skills even a modern car can be maintained for next to nothing - I've had a £600 Mondeo for a year/10k miles. It's cost me plugs, leads, rear brake pads, 2 bits of suspension for the MoT, and a can of Radweld to fix a leaky heater. It turns in 40+ mpg and it's as boring as s
t. But it goes, and I drive everywhere for work.I'm currently sniffing for an MX5. I can play with that at weekends and use the Mondy as a snotter. If push comes to shove then if the Mondy goes sick the MX5 (or whatever) can be pressed into service for work.
I bought a Mk1 106 Rallye that had suffered a head gasket failure as I wanted a project and to learn a bit more about engines.
Was great fun and the little 1.3 motor was very friendly to work on. I think I'm right in saying that the Haynes "how to strip an engine" book even uses that motor in all the images as it is so accessible and simple.
Anyway, great fun and it worked a treat*
Was great fun and the little 1.3 motor was very friendly to work on. I think I'm right in saying that the Haynes "how to strip an engine" book even uses that motor in all the images as it is so accessible and simple.
Anyway, great fun and it worked a treat*
- after I ended up spending more money than planned thanks to a warped head!
I bought a Mk1 106 Rallye that had suffered a head gasket failure as I wanted a project and to learn a bit more about engines.
Was great fun and the little 1.3 motor was very friendly to work on. I think I'm right in saying that the Haynes "how to strip an engine" book even uses that motor in all the images as it is so accessible and simple.
Anyway, great fun and it worked a treat*
Was great fun and the little 1.3 motor was very friendly to work on. I think I'm right in saying that the Haynes "how to strip an engine" book even uses that motor in all the images as it is so accessible and simple.
Anyway, great fun and it worked a treat*
- after I ended up spending more money than planned thanks to a warped head!
battered said:
Good choice. But if your wife already has a Po;o why are you buying another "Polo" to spanner? You already have one, so get on with it. Start with a service.
I don't want to break her Polo. I can't have confidence in my terrible abilities. Therefore, I'd rather have something none of use rely on to break.
That Fabia is a diesel too, so could be good for the commute. We'll see.
funkyrobot said:
battered said:
Good choice. But if your wife already has a Po;o why are you buying another "Polo" to spanner? You already have one, so get on with it. Start with a service.
I don't want to break her Polo. I can't have confidence in my terrible abilities. Therefore, I'd rather have something none of use rely on to break.
That Fabia is a diesel too, so could be good for the commute. We'll see.
Challo said:
Servicing the car will be an easy way to start. Not much you can muck up and plenty of stuff online about what you need to do with pictures etc. Worst car you get stuck then there is plenty of mobile mechanics you can call if you get stuck.
Indeed.It may sound mad to others, but I'm not the most confident person. Therefore, I always try to error on the side of caution.
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