How much do PH'ers know about cars?

[SturdyHSV]

Just a bit of fun inspired by the "tell me you know nothing about cars" thread.

Obviously not enough poll options available to really break it down, and a bit too mechanically focused, I've built an engine but know nothing about DA polishers for example... Still, what's your crowning achievement of PHIQ?

[smallMax_T I find your posts one of the best parts of PH, so hopefully you get the tone [/small]

[AmosMoses]

Reasonably handy with a spanner, done a fair bit of DIY over the years. But I've also battled with an oil filter for an hour (Clio 197/200 owners will feel my pain)

[Equus]

I've rebuilt cars (mainly old Lotuses and Locaterfield/kit cars) down to nut and bolt level; built modifed engines from the bare block upwards (albeit with any machining work done by others), and used to set up race car suspension as a sideline, so I'd say I understand the basics pretty thoroughly.

Only thing I've never really touched is gearboxes, because you usually need special tools.

I'm a bit bemused by modern electronics and the new-style wiring diagrams, though: I'm more Cars and Car Conversions magazine and twin Webers era.

[brillomaster]

furthest i've got is changing brake pads, but i dont even do that myself any more, i get the garage to do it. I know plenty about cars, but have no interest in spannering on them myself, thanks. I dont even wash my own cars any more, when someone else can do a better job than me in far less time.

I've quite happy driving cars though.

[Glenn63]

I know basics and can do basic stuff, oil changes, brake pads etc but really I just cba anymore so leave it to a trusted garage. If I had the time and money I’d like to learn more and have a go at building my own caterham or something.
I usually find in the past that somethings broken, il fix that myself, hours of blood sweat and swearing, and it’s still broken then take it to the garage.

[Gary29]

I can do most bolt on/off jobs, I only fall short where specialist skill is required like welding and panel beating.

I've done many major service jobs, brakes, suspension, timing belts, turbo replacements etc, and rebuilt a few Cat N cars.

Just big Lego innit.

Edited by Gary29 on Friday 22 July 10:15

[Alex_225]

To be honest, if I had the time and space I'd probably do more with my cars mechanically. I understand how things work and what not but I'm also very mindful of messing stuff up so I keep things at arms length haha.

[ghost83]

Quite happily do servicing on the cars and replace some parts that are broken


Never messed with brakes or suspension personally as my kids go in it and I wouldn’t want to get it wrong

[Deranged Rover]

I'm somewhere in the middle. I've changed batteries, tyres, wing mirrors and an alternator, and have replaced the top tailgate and the headlining of an older Range Rover. I'm also an electronic engineer by profession so have no fear of electrics.

The reason i don't do more myself is that I lack things like axle stands or some of the bigger tools. There is also the time factor as, frankly, I'd much rather be indoors servicing, repairing and restoring hi-fi equipment.

Also, and i realise this is possibly the most girly thing that will appear on this thread, I do have eczema, so the oils, greases fluids and dirt that are part of car maintenance really don't do my hands any good. And before someone suggests latex gloves; yeah, I've tried that. They made me itch so much that I lasted about 20 minutes before I had to rip them off and scratch my hands to pieces!

[Rich Boy Spanner]

I do most of my maintenance and repairs, have done for 30 years. If it is heavy or needs special tools for one-off repairs then I send it in, but finding a good garage is often harder than doing the job myself. Modern cars often need so little other than routine servicing that we are lucky really.

[Daston]

I'll give anything a go, they are are only nuts and bolts at the end of the day.

Biggest task was changing all the suspension arms on our old RX7 including poly bushes and coilovers.

[jamesbilluk]

The most ambitious thing I've done is fit a carbon Air box, this did involve dropping a vital bolt in the depths of the engine bay then somehow me cutting my hand and bleeding eherywhere.

With my current car, I wouldn't dare attempt to do undertake anything complicated..

[ARHarh]

Not much I haven't had a go at over the years, gearbox rebuilds, cylinder head gas flowing and even fixed some brakes

[anonymous-user]

i know nothing about cars, but i am very good at talking about them....... ;-)

[harrycovert]

Love rebuilding Twin cam engines .But my resprays look like they been done with a roller.

[HustleRussell]

I have not yet built a bottom end or a gearbox or diff but I've done pretty much everything else. I've maintained and repaired my own cars including racing cars since I started driving and I've only enlisted professional help for panel and paint, race engine builds, gearboxes and diffs and diagnosis on an ECU once.

[HustleRussell]

Deranged Rover said:

Also, and i realise this is possibly the most girly thing that will appear on this thread, I do have eczema, so the oils, greases fluids and dirt that are part of car maintenance really don't do my hands any good. And before someone suggests latex gloves; yeah, I've tried that. They made me itch so much that I lasted about 20 minutes before I had to rip them off and scratch my hands to pieces!

Nitrile gloves and / or barrier cream.

[InitialDave]

HustleRussell said:

Deranged Rover said:

Also, and i realise this is possibly the most girly thing that will appear on this thread, I do have eczema, so the oils, greases fluids and dirt that are part of car maintenance really don't do my hands any good. And before someone suggests latex gloves; yeah, I've tried that. They made me itch so much that I lasted about 20 minutes before I had to rip them off and scratch my hands to pieces!

Nitrile gloves and / or barrier cream.

Yes, specifically, try some Derma Shield aerosol foam.

[Deranged Rover]

InitialDave said:

HustleRussell said:

Deranged Rover said:

Also, and i realise this is possibly the most girly thing that will appear on this thread, I do have eczema, so the oils, greases fluids and dirt that are part of car maintenance really don't do my hands any good. And before someone suggests latex gloves; yeah, I've tried that. They made me itch so much that I lasted about 20 minutes before I had to rip them off and scratch my hands to pieces!

Nitrile gloves and / or barrier cream.

Yes, specifically, try some Derma Shield aerosol foam.

Good suggestions which I will investigate, thanks.

Although, generally, I'm still happy with "let the local garage do it"!

[SidewaysSi]

I started building engines when I was 4. Knew every stat of every car at 6. Started racing at 7.

Not sure car enthusiasm should be linked to doing mechanical stuff though. I know loads of mechanics who know feck all about cars. And plenty who are ste drivers.