How to get training in car mechanics

[Dommett]

I want to get some training in car mechanics, at least to start with, enough to carry out repairs on my own road/racing car, although I'd love to eventually retrain in engineering.

At the moment I'm a senior software architect, and although doing very well, don't fancy sitting at a computer for the rest of my life. I'm 30, and can't really just give up my job though.

The local college don't run any courses that aren't during the day, and I can't find any routes to take. It doesn't help I'm in Devon, where nothing seems to happen!

So, does anybody have any ideas apart from buying DVD's or finding some mechanic friends?!

Thanks

[Odie]

http://www.southdevon.ac.uk/index.php/components/s...



http://www.southdevon.ac.uk/components/sdc_course?...

[Dommett]

Ah yes, that course. Well the funny thing is I applied for that, paid my money and waited, and waited, and eventually called the college, and after many calls, it turns out that course doesnt 'actually' run, it can potentially run if they get more than 8 students apply, I was the solitary applicant, therefore they didn't run it, they said it's only gone ahead once in the last five years. It was rediculous, I've only just had reimbursement for the course fees from last august.
They said if I could find 7 others, they would run the course, but alas I don't know anybody that's interested.

Thanks though, definitely a good idea if the college could be bothered.

[NoNeed]

So you want to give up a nice warm office to work in sub-zero temeratures trying to put a bolt into a hole that you cannot see, with your arm at full stretch while simultaneously taking the skin off youre knuckles.


Me too except mine is a nice warm factory.

[Dommett]

Yeah, that's pretty much it.

I'm not saying I won't miss that comfy seat, warmth & knuckle skin, and I may regret it, but hell, I'm bored!

I only got into software as I happened to find it easy, the plan was to join the RAF as an engineer after college, but I got a programming job at college, then a car & house and well, 12 years went by!
I still feel left out with all my colleagues talking about Star Wars/Star Trek/Babylon something/LOLCats/Etc, and nobody wants to talk about V8's

[NoNeed]

Then the best bet is to find a local small garage and off what hours you have spare (saturdays e.t.c) for free. You will spend time making tea and passing spanners and will probably end up doing all the tyre changes(that's easy) but you will learn your way around the car and make some good contacts.

[TRUENOSAM]

NoNeed said:

Then the best bet is to find a local small garage and off what hours you have spare (saturdays e.t.c) for free. You will spend time making tea and passing spanners and will probably end up doing all the tyre changes(that's easy) but you will learn your way around the car and make some good contacts.

This

[Eggman]

Have you considered joining a local car club? Owners of cars like MGs and (particularly) Land Rovers tend to be extremely DIY-oriented. (As do marque-specific web forums, btw)

Alternatively, you could get some tools and a Haynes manual and have a go. That's something you could do this afternoon - inspect your Saab's pads or see if the air filter needs changed; do something straightforward to get yourself used to looking at stuff.

[Dommett]

Yeah, I considered asking a local garage, but wasn't sure if they'd look at me funny and tell me to **** off!

I'm changed various bits, some basic car electrics, filters, fluids & generally fixing bits & bobs, but nothing to do with the moving parts as such! I've got a good grasp of the theory, just no practice.

My garage is too small to work on my car unfortunately, and the drive is on a slope

Joining a car club maybe a good idea so I can meet local people that may have the knowledge & space, but want some free labour (and tea!).
Cheers - I'll try to do some searches online later.

[944fan]

Dommett said:

I want to get some training in car mechanics, at least to start with, enough to carry out repairs on my own road/racing car, although I'd love to eventually retrain in engineering.

At the moment I'm a senior software architect, and although doing very well, don't fancy sitting at a computer for the rest of my life. I'm 30, and can't really just give up my job though.

The local college don't run any courses that aren't during the day, and I can't find any routes to take. It doesn't help I'm in Devon, where nothing seems to happen!

So, does anybody have any ideas apart from buying DVD's or finding some mechanic friends?!

Thanks

It's like looking in the mirror. I'm 30, senior developer, bored stless. Wouldn't mind doing a bit of spannering. Doesn't pay as well though.

I've learnt a lot from reading books and working on my own car. Hilliers Fundementals of Motor Vehicle Technology is a good place to start

[Dommett]

944fan said:

Hilliers Fundementals of Motor Vehicle Technology is a good place to start

Cheers for that, according to the reviews it's the book to have, so can't go too wrong for £15
Looks like there's two other follow on books to that, but ordered the first one just now.

Perhaps I could take a 'working holiday' like 2 weeks intensive course instead of sunbathing abroad, now does anybody actually offer that?!
I think once I have the confidence to work on stuff after having some basic training, I'm much more likely to get stuck into something on my own, I considered just buying a kit car, building them looks easy, Jeremy, James & the Hamster managed it on Top Gear a few years back, how hard can it be?!

[944fan]

Yeah the second two books are much more detailed on the electrical systems in cars.

I've not heard of intensive courses but there must be something like that.

Kit car is good, or buy a complete banger (MOT failure or something) and strip it, then rebuild it. Will learn loads that way.

[Dommett]

Yeah, I really need to buy/rent a workshop or large garage. The garage on my house, like most, is just large enough to contain a car, but not large enough to get out of it, never mind work on a car in it!

I might take a trip to the estate agents at the weekend.

[944fan]

Yeah I know how you feel. I've only got a single garage and can barely even fit my car in it. Drive is fairly flat though, but that is no good in the winter.

I've wondered how much a bit of space like Edd China has on Wheeler Dealers would cost to rent. Could get a nice two post lift in then!

[lucferrari90]

Sorry to bring up an old thread again but I'm in a very similar position myself only I'm 27 and a chef so the drop in pay and tricky working conditions won't exactly be new news!

I started working on my own cars a couple of years ago and, through a mechanic friend and a few youtube videos, can now comfortable do basic servicing on my own cars and girlfriends' and I love it!

I'm been really considering a career change for a while now and I've always been a car nut so a tech job would be perfect but I'm also trying to work out how to make the transition as smooth as possible!

Did you change career path in the end? And if so, how did you do it?

[Dommett]

My life took a different turn, and I ended up moving to Ann Arbor, (just outside Detroit, Michigan) staying with the same company, still working on software. The desire to work on cars is still very much there, and the possibilities here are real with colleges. It’s actually an exciting place to be, we are right here where car development and autonomous vehicles are happening. Ann Arbor is an amazing place to be for many reasons, but I accepted that for now I’m divorced and living in a downtown loft in one of the coolest towns, and salaries here are much higher so my job affords me some luxuries. But I still plan to buy that garage, the dream is alive, just taking a back seat!

Good luck with yours, I hear chefs make good money, but it’s hard work. I guess you could look at it that earn enough money and you can pay your way through adult college, retire early, enjoy your spoils, or you can enjoy life now and drift hoping something will catch, and travel, change careers etc. I’d love to be the second type, and if you have a bank of mum & dad, it’s a good choice, but I’m too sensible and chose to earn & save, invest in real estate, but approaching 40 now, looking at traveling with my new American girlfriend.

[Royce44]

Jeez. Man up guys lol

I was like you guys a few years back. Not a clue about cars. So one day i sold my weekend car, bought a shell and an engine and started to strip it. Like you i knew the theory and so it wasnt at all hard to adapt to it.

Stick to mechanics as a hobby/side earner. Nowadays your a fitter or a laptop plugger iner.

[Dommett]

Royce44 said:

Jeez. Man up guys lol

LOL

Royce44 said:

I was like you guys a few years back. Not a clue about cars. So one day i sold my weekend car, bought a shell and an engine and started to strip it. Like you i knew the theory and so it wasnt at all hard to adapt to it.

Stick to mechanics as a hobby/side earner. Nowadays your a fitter or a laptop plugger iner.

Well done to you sir. I keep buying houses that have no garage/workshop.

Always the next one will have it...

[Turkish91]

One of the most talented mechanics I know has absolutely no formal qualifications (we’re not even talking GCSE’s) and is completely self taught.

It’s never too late to learn!

[crofty1984]

How about a couple of old motorbikes? They take up less space.