Recommendations for getting started on home mechanics?
Discussion
Hey PHers,
I've been itching to get a modern classic for a while now - something fairly simple to run and maintain. However, I'm certain that I'm going to need "some" level of mechanical ability/experience if I want to avoid paying ££££s to my local mechanic for every little thing that needs attention. I've thought of joining a mechanics course or something, but most are too drawn out and aimed at people who want to be professional mechanics. Anyone got any suggestions on how I could get started other than buying a £500 car and start taking it to pieces and putting it back together again :-)?
I've been itching to get a modern classic for a while now - something fairly simple to run and maintain. However, I'm certain that I'm going to need "some" level of mechanical ability/experience if I want to avoid paying ££££s to my local mechanic for every little thing that needs attention. I've thought of joining a mechanics course or something, but most are too drawn out and aimed at people who want to be professional mechanics. Anyone got any suggestions on how I could get started other than buying a £500 car and start taking it to pieces and putting it back together again :-)?
Get something you want to drive though, otherwise the first time you fail / break something / need a blow torch you'll have no incentive to put back together and it will be a £500 pile of scrap.
I got an E36 convertible and it was god send, given the amount of information out there. Just remember that any job is easier with the right tools, so budget for that as well.
I got an E36 convertible and it was god send, given the amount of information out there. Just remember that any job is easier with the right tools, so budget for that as well.
A simpler/older fashioned car that has more basic tech in it, a haynes manual for it and a toolkit from halfords.
Anything up to about the mid noughties, age wise, should be reasonable. More modern direct injection, stop start and the like - you want something that predates all that, really, but still has EFI.
Anything up to about the mid noughties, age wise, should be reasonable. More modern direct injection, stop start and the like - you want something that predates all that, really, but still has EFI.
Arnold Cunningham said:
A simpler/older fashioned car that has more basic tech in it, a haynes manual for it and a toolkit from halfords.
Anything up to about the mid noughties, age wise, should be reasonable. More modern direct injection, stop start and the like - you want something that predates all that, really, but still has EFI.
I would agree but I wouldn't call EFI "basic tech" - that'd be carburettors in my view and they are devices that can be quite effective!Anything up to about the mid noughties, age wise, should be reasonable. More modern direct injection, stop start and the like - you want something that predates all that, really, but still has EFI.
I used to say that if fuel injection had been the original system and someone had come up with the carburettor it would have been hailed as a great simplification.
Choosing a more popular car to start with will help - VW forums for example are awash with info/how to guides etc.
Factory workshop manuals (not Haynes) are available for almost everything.
Youtube and model specific forms are very good.
Buy a car you want /like then drive it until it brakes then research the fix...
Factory workshop manuals (not Haynes) are available for almost everything.
Youtube and model specific forms are very good.
Buy a car you want /like then drive it until it brakes then research the fix...
Choose a car that has a Club, with local groups.
If possible, before you buy. Go along to local meets, usually once a month, in a pub. Get friendly, ask advice, ask for an 'expert' to come with you to look for your car, use their group experience and knowledge to help you learn and not buy a 'pup'.
Many such groups hold their own collection of 'Special Tools' too, to aid restoration.
John
If possible, before you buy. Go along to local meets, usually once a month, in a pub. Get friendly, ask advice, ask for an 'expert' to come with you to look for your car, use their group experience and knowledge to help you learn and not buy a 'pup'.
Many such groups hold their own collection of 'Special Tools' too, to aid restoration.
John
steveo3002 said:
id say its more about learning all the tricks when things dont go as per the haynes , dealing with rusty bolts , knowing not to cross thread things or over tighten etc
This is good advice! When we get cars in the workshop with problems caused by an enthusiastic owner, it's usually snapped/rounded bolts etc. Experience is the key. First thing would be to get a proper toolkit. Don't bother your time with buying 12 point sockets, just get a load of impact hex sockets instead. I only say this because when I started messing about with my car I stripped so many bolts using the 12 points. Since using hex sockets I haven't half as many bolts.
I started by servicing my car, and now since buying a cheap £250 runabout I've gone on to more complicated jobs such as timing belt changes, suspension overhauls and (currently) changing seals in a gearbox and changing the clutch.
Time is the biggest thing. It takes 8 hours to change a clutch in my Corolla if a professional did it. Currently I'm up to 8 hours and the gearbox is still on the car! You're going to take longer to learn how to do things and longer to fix problems you encounter. Like someone else said, owners forums are brilliant and the Toyota one for me has been invaluable. They've helped me out so much.
Oh and ditch WD-40 in favour of PlusGas. The stuff is fantastic.
I started by servicing my car, and now since buying a cheap £250 runabout I've gone on to more complicated jobs such as timing belt changes, suspension overhauls and (currently) changing seals in a gearbox and changing the clutch.
Time is the biggest thing. It takes 8 hours to change a clutch in my Corolla if a professional did it. Currently I'm up to 8 hours and the gearbox is still on the car! You're going to take longer to learn how to do things and longer to fix problems you encounter. Like someone else said, owners forums are brilliant and the Toyota one for me has been invaluable. They've helped me out so much.
Oh and ditch WD-40 in favour of PlusGas. The stuff is fantastic.
sgtBerbatov said:
First thing would be to get a proper toolkit. Don't bother your time with buying 12 point sockets, just get a load of impact hex sockets instead. I only say this because when I started messing about with my car I stripped so many bolts using the 12 points. Since using hex sockets I haven't half as many bolts.
Time is the biggest thing. It takes 8 hours to change a clutch in my Corolla if a professional did it. Currently I'm up to 8 hours and the gearbox is still on the car! You're going to take longer to learn how to do things and longer to fix problems you encounter. Like someone else said, owners forums are brilliant and the Toyota one for me has been invaluable. They've helped me out so much.
Oh and ditch WD-40 in favour of PlusGas. The stuff is fantastic.
Yep, I've got some 12-pointers, but don't think I've ever used them, just no grip, and will easily ruin hex bolts.Time is the biggest thing. It takes 8 hours to change a clutch in my Corolla if a professional did it. Currently I'm up to 8 hours and the gearbox is still on the car! You're going to take longer to learn how to do things and longer to fix problems you encounter. Like someone else said, owners forums are brilliant and the Toyota one for me has been invaluable. They've helped me out so much.
Oh and ditch WD-40 in favour of PlusGas. The stuff is fantastic.
Having the proper tools is always a good idea, although you can improvise in certain cases, if you use your brains and think about it.
Not sure I'd use the word 'fantastic' with PlusGas, but I certainly don't use WD-40 any more on my car :-)
"loosen up" (Wilkos finest @ £1)Don't bother with mechanics courses. Your best friend is youtube and forums. Also when I take something apart, I always take plenty of pictures, so I remember how things went back together. Also don't rush into a job, do as much reading / research as you can before every job.
As for cars - what about an older diesel? I like older 90s 4x4 diesels with tons of room to work on. I think that is what I would choose to learn on.
As for cars - what about an older diesel? I like older 90s 4x4 diesels with tons of room to work on. I think that is what I would choose to learn on.
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