I has an excitement

"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty)
11/04/2013 at 18:29 • Filed to: cool stuff

I might actually learn some stuff about working on cars without having to take an autotech class!

My dad's mechanic friend said I can help around the shop and learn some stuff.

DISCUSSION (19)

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/04/2013 at 18:32

probably the best way to learn.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
11/04/2013 at 18:36

I agree. I'd rather do that and feel like I did something for myself than watch how-to oil change videos with some dudes who smell like cigarettes wearing baggy jeans, haha.

(Not that I'm judging them, but I wouldn't have much to talk about with anyone in the auto tech classes...)

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/04/2013 at 18:37

The best way to learn how to work on cars is to work on cars. When I was 19 I bought a beater for $900 and spent the summer working on it. Replaced the brakes (front disc, rear drum) struts, springs, radiator, spark plugs, oil etc. Don't be afraid to just jump into it, the internet and youtube are an invaluable resource.

If you want to get your hands on an engine and see how it all works, take apart someone else's! Just go down to a pull your part junkyard and take apart a random engine.
But yeah, being able to help out around a shop is a great way to learn.

JohnnyWasASchoolBoy > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/04/2013 at 18:38

Good on you. I learned oil changes, brakes, belt changes and simple stuff like thermostats and water pumps, the same way. Neighbour down the street had a full shop in his garage. I just tagged along.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
11/04/2013 at 18:39

Thanks for the tips! I am glad to have the opportunity, and I'll probably go down the junkyard car route once I am away from home with sufficient funds.

dogisbadob > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/04/2013 at 18:41

That's awesome!

Man I wish I had a garage and another car I could use for a couple days while replacing the valve cover gaskets in my transverse V6 (it takes a whole weekend because you have to take half of the engine apart to get to the back row of cylinders). They tile the engine backwards and pile EVERYTHING on top of the back row.

I love Toyota, but DO NOT BUY any of their FWD V6's unless that shit has already been *recently* replaced!

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > JohnnyWasASchoolBoy
11/04/2013 at 18:41

Thank you; that sounds like a good way to learn, and I'd be crazy to pass up an opportunity like that. I imagine it would be pretty great to have a shop in your garage!

EL_ULY > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/04/2013 at 18:43

that's good dude, a very good way. I also suggest buying a beater e36 or some other import for $800 or less.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > EL_ULY
11/04/2013 at 18:45

Thanks for the tip—a beater E36 sounds like quite an adventure of repairs. I definitely think it's a nice opportunity to have.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > EL_ULY
11/04/2013 at 18:47

I would not buy an $800 E36. That seems like a recipe for disaster.

EL_ULY > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
11/04/2013 at 18:49

lol, try 3 of the damn things :] Not that bad, basic as hell, besides VANOS on some, there isn't a complicated thing of those cars.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/04/2013 at 18:52

Here is my suggestion for the shop: try to actually get your hands on stuff and be proactive about asking questions and asking to do stuff, don't just watch. I work a job where everything is going 24/7 so we work two 12 hour shifts, a lot of times I have a trainee covering the night shift so I do a lot of training and I firmly believe the best way to learn something is to do it, not watch it. So even if it's just loosening a bolt or something, something that doesn't require any skill or knowledge ask the guys at the shop if you can do that for them. Have them tell you what to do and then you do it while they watch.

Also, turn off your cellphone and leave it in your bag while you're there. There is nothing more annoying than someone asking you to teach them something and to then have them staring at their cellphones while you're explaining something.

Wacko > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/04/2013 at 18:53

I learned everything I know by just trying by myself. It helps that it wasn't on my daily driver, but on my beater jeep tj. You want to learn how to work on cars a jeep is a very good start, since a jeep is easy to work on, lots of space... And as jeep owners say:a jeep is built not bought.
Either you have something to fix/replace or upgrade.
On a second car the fun part is that you are in no rush to finish your job. If you fail on a repair you can try again the next day after you did your research or asked for help/hints

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > EL_ULY
11/04/2013 at 18:55

I think a better place to start would be a civic or neon. Cheap as hell and you won't feel guilty if you fuck one up. Plus I would expect an $800 civic to be in better shape than a $800 E36.

EL_ULY > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
11/04/2013 at 18:59

true, but to follow in the car purchasing foot steps of many Opponauts, its better to learn the fundamentals of driving dynamics before and after the fix as soon as possible, the e36 will provide that better. Its worth the investment. But you are right also for $money$ sake :]

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
11/04/2013 at 19:01

Thank you! I will be sure to use your advice. I can only imagine how annoying the phone thing would be.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > EL_ULY
11/04/2013 at 19:05

I'm standing by my statements, I've never owned an E36 but I've owned an E30 and an E46 and I wouldn't recommend a BMW as a first car to work on. As much as we rag on Hondas the late 80s early 90s Civic are solid, cheap, easy to work on, have cheap parts and an insane amount of knowledge and tutorials are available online. Honda-Tech has it's faults and plenty of idiots but there is a ton of info there. My old EF Civic Hatch was a perfect car to learn to to work on cars on, and frankly it was a ton of fun to boot and got 38MPG no matter how I drove it.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Wacko
11/04/2013 at 19:12

Thanks for the advice! My mom has a New Beetle, so there should be some pretty constant practice coming from that car :P
Of course, it would be pretty hard to work on. All the same, there's an abundance of XJ Cherokees and cars of that sort on CL for cheap. Once I have a bit of money, I may look into a project car.

EL_ULY > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
11/04/2013 at 23:55

Oh yes those little Japanese cars are solid, very solid vehicles.