Sources of info...

[AJKing]

Hi guys,

I know this might sound like a dumb question at first, but how do people on this forum know so much about the mechanics in cars...?

I've got a basic knowledge that I have picked up through repairing the odd fault in my car and through reading in this forum, but some members seem to know masses of information and I really would love to know where this has come from, be it a family trait, degree in mechanics or even sifting through 1,000's of books... There are obviously a few different ways to learn, but whats a good one? I'm doing a full time course in uni, so granted I'll probably never have the time to learn how rebuild an engine, but I'd still like to develop my knowledge a lot more!!

Thanks,

Adam

 

[s130]

Good question and many repsonses.

For me, a childhood interest in how things work devloping into an general engineering interest leading to a degree in electrical & electronic engineering. But this is only a small part and a part which many others don't have. One of the biggest factors was having to maintain my own car from the age of 17 due to lack of money and from there as my skill and experience increased the hate of paying someone else to do stuff I could do myself or learn how to do myself.

Several years in amateur motorsport led to knowledge and more importanly of playing with vehicle suspension, settings and brakes, etc.

Many people here will have the same broad experience as me. Others won't but may be very experience in (for example) engine tuning with turbos.

The fact that you already have asked the question, do some of your own stuff etc. means you are on the right track to learning and more importantly being able to share what you have learnt/experienced with others.

Finally you won't get it right all of the time and the best lessons and knowledge is almost always learnt from one's mistakes.

Finally there is a wonderful book that I have which is a must for building that general knowledge.

It is called the "Bosch Automotive Handbook". My copy is well old now and I keep meaning to get a newer version.

I learnt how to rebuild my first engine (Fiat 600D) when a Uni. Was get stuck in or go without car!

 

[PuntoHowTo]

When I was a kid my dad always serviced the family cars which I helped with (from about the age so 4) my grand father worked in numerous car dealerships around Norwich. my father is a welder but worked for a few race teams including lotus Audi and Bentley.

I left school did a year or two as a computer/network engineer then mobile phones eventually ended up working on automotive electronic systems which I spent a few years doing before I got bored and went on to other electronics (calibration) every step of the way servicing my own cars doing mechanically what I could, so I picked up quite a lot over the years worked through dozens of Haynes manuals and built up quite a selection of tools.

Having just finished my Uni course it's amazing how much you can learn about irrelevant stuff come exam time

 

[GrandeGuy]

Started when i was about 8ish, i could weld by 10 never stopped messing/fixing since,


Full time doesn't mean weekends does it?
Find a good garage and Volunteer on a sat morning, you get to work on stuff with assistance and learn, also once you've been going for a while they will normally let you use their garage to work on your own stuff if its quiet.
It's what i did at collage in my spare time, all my friends were playing on PlayStation and sitting around, i went to help out at a Agricultural engineering firm, which turned into paid, which turned into an apprenticeship offer.

 

[jip0]

Started when i was about 8ish, i could weld by 10 never stopped messing/fixing since,


Full time doesn't mean weekends does it?
Find a good garage and Volunteer on a sat morning, you get to work on stuff with assistance and learn, also once you've been going for a while they will normally let you use their garage to work on your own stuff if its quiet.
It's what i did at collage in my spare time, all my friends were playing on PlayStation and sitting around, i went to help out at a Agricultural engineering firm, which turned into paid, which turned into an apprenticeship offer.

I would love to do that but i doubt any garages in todays climate would do that anymore

 

[s130]

I would love to do that but i doubt any garages in todays climate would do that anymore

This sounds like a good opportunity for someone here who does a lot of their own stuff to invite you round to give them helping hand and for you to learn from them and their mistakes. We all make those DUH errors that always tend to sneak into a job.

e.g. lost or dropped tools. A well laid out tool kit with sockets on rails, like tools grouped together etc. etc. also a good working practice of using a tools and putting it back when used. So many people lose tools, leave them somewhere safe inside the engine compartment never to be seen again after test drive. :bang:

 

[Devious]

I would love to do that but i doubt any garages in todays climate would do that anymore

I dont know .... A dealer may not but there are a LOT of quiet little garages about.


As for the initial question, reading and doing.
I read a lot, here there and everywhere.
I'll research something, look up how too's, draw out the info in a way that I understand then have a pop at it, albeit with my mechaninc Bro in law stood over my shoulder.
Im not the most confident of people and really doubt myself and my abilities. Ive found that once I've done it, I feel a hell of a lot more confident and just crack on with it next time.

A few years ago I could merrily chat away about Turbos', Boost, Compression etc but ask me to show you where it happened on an engine and you may as well have asked me to perform brain surgery.

It looks like I may be getting an Alfa from a colleague for a few hundred quid thats a runner but needs work doing. I'm only gonna take it to a garage if the problems are WELL out of my abilities. Hopefully my knowledge will skyrocket.

Ta

 

[Mal126]

I suspect a lot of people on here are also in the motor trade, served an apprentaship, 13 weeks at a time at colledge, working through into managemnet over the years, also being top uk tech for Fiat, a lot of years ago now mind, mk1 Croma was the vehicle i won on so an old fossil, now dealing with the warranty side of things, have to say there is a vast amount of experience on this site, whether amatuer or proffesional, all good sound advise given, although have to say some dismiss sound advice. Best book i ever purchased was the " Fundementals of motor vehicle technology " will tell you all you need to know.
Good luck

 

[AJKing]

Thanks for all of the info guys Its really interesting to know the different ways that everyone has learnt how to do mechanics. I'm planning on getting a couple of books to read up on how everything works, but for the time being I have too many university books to worry about Will definitely talk to a couple of local garages to see if I can get a few hours around the pro's though

Thanks for all the info!

 

[rallycinq]

Another way to 'get involved' is join the local motor club and volunteer to help in a race or rally service/pit team.

Competitors are always looking for mates to help out.

Cheers

D