How to learn to fix/tinker/restore your car?

[Harji]

It has been years since I've done anything more than a spark plug change, mainly because way back then my dads cars were always breaking down. Since I bought a SAAB 900 classic, I got a Haynes manual and a more detailed Bentleys workshop manual (there will probably be something similar for most cars), the difference is quite a lot. The Haynes is more routine maintenance while the Bentleys will go down to nut sizes, tools needed for particular job and has far more information for checking stuff, way beyond routine maintenance.

Since I do not have a garage I am limited in what I will do, but one tip is use a manual and spend some time recognising all the bits,housings, components round the car, it will save time in the future, and it was good to know I have a manual sunroof winder in the boot in case of a electrical failure !

[Triumph Man]

I do try and do things on my car, but what partly stops me is fear. For example, my valve cover gasket has a weep of oil. All looks fairly straight forward to do, but then the “fear” and what ifs set in! “What if I strip a fastening?” What if the valve cover breaks? (Which apparently they do and are expensive) what if I put it back together and it still leaks.

I will agree that computers (or in my case a smartphone) are an invaluable tool in the garage, however I need more confidence to do jobs, and maybe not worry about the fact it’s my daily and may be in bits longer than I would like!

[Slow]

Slow said:

This is sort of the problem i have atm.

Want to get a bmw e38 740/750 but dont know much about fixing it my self. Would have help in the form of a mums boyfriend but still would feel bad doing nothing.

Tempted to pick up a old petrol car for a few months just to tinker with tbh.

Odd seeing this post from myself so long ago as I did end up picking up a broken e38! Only a 730i though

[robbocop33]

My diy car repairs were brought on by two words, 'garage bills!It' s a buzz fixing your own stuff, just the sheer lies garages will tell you makes it all worth while to me.
I've been tinkering with my own cars for about 20 years now, so last week my megane 225 needed a steering rack, but just to confirm i took it to my local garage which has jiggle plates, which rattle the car to death and show up bad ball joints etc, yep, rack was knackered, just for a laugh i asked how much to fit one, 7.3 hours, 380 thank you very much!
Took it home, 2 and a half hours later, job done, 380 saved just like that! A grand total of 16 bolts to be undone, that was it!
Lots of good car tutorials on Youtube, go for it! Just takes awhile to build up your basic tool collection, but well worth it! :-)

[Trevor450]

Taught myself with a combination of manuals, trial and error and YouTube! It’s very satisfying, especially on something as simple as my Defender or Chimaera.