[Blunt]

I never really learned much about how car engines work as a kid and now in my early 20's I feel like I'm behind in the game. I was talking with my friend's sister recently and it appeared as if she knew a lot about this stuff. I'm not OK with a non-racecar-driving chick knowing more about engines than me.

I want to learn how to maintain, diagnose, and fix my own vehicles; as well as be able to hold my own in car-related conversations. I'll admit this is almost strictly a pride and hobby related thing, I don't know or care whether this will save me money.

Does anyone know of a good place to start, maybe a book to read?

[Screwston]

I did my rear brakes last weekend. Do u at least know how to change oil and the basics? Get a manual and find someone in your family to show you. Have to get your hands dirty to learn. I just do the easy shit to save money.

[germanico]

Get one of those Haynes manuals and practice on your own car. Most things you can do on your own garage with your regular toolbox. Id leave anything that needs specialized tools to the specialists, tough.

[wolf]

Find online a factory repair manual for your car, not just a Haynes manual. They are sold for several hundred but you can find a free one online. Download and it will give you step by step how to do everything. It's very detailed.

Also if you have an old car you'll learn how to fix cars the best. Old cars break down often and need to be fixed more often. You don't need to do anything on new cars except change the oil.

From my current car I learned the most, so far I replaced:

Exhaust manifold
Oxygen sensor
Radiator
Cooling hoses
oil pan gasket
Engine
timing belt
water pump
clutch
clutch master and slave cylinder
brakes
PCV valve
spark plugs
battery
fan switch
thermostat
windshield
full alarm install with battery backup, and blah blah blah
distributor cap and rotor
spark plug wires

If I have the right tools then I do it myself, if I don't then I take it to my mechanic.

You can also ask your mechanic what's wrong with the part, what's it's function, and how does it work.

Try doing an oil change first.

[Donald Duck]

Has anyone here have any experience with working as a car mechanic? Is it a good and well paying industry?

[el mechanico]

(01-23-2012 05:30 PM)Donald Duck Wrote:  

Has anyone here have any experience with working as a car mechanic? Is it a good and well paying industry?

It depends on how good you are and what you invest in yourself and tools.

For instance about 15 years ago I worked with this guy that made about 900 a week but also had side stuff at his house and made another 1k + on nights and weekends.

My buddy that builds Trannys makes 1500 a week anywhere he goes.

Most guys work on flat rate which is a percentage of labor. at the last place I worked before I opened my own place it was half of 80 an hour and I made them pay me 10% of all the parts I installed.

You also have the skills to buy broken cars and flip them which is worth a grand a month easy.

I think the guys at new car dealers make around 20 an hour on average but some of them turn out 100+ hours a week if they are busy.

[mofo]

Do you know about a good book that covers all aspects of cars? - How they are built. Parts. Brands. Types of cars. Explanation of everything when it comes to cars.

[el mechanico]

(01-23-2012 05:43 PM)mofo Wrote:  

Do you know about a good book that covers all aspects of cars? - How they are built. Parts. Brands. Types of cars. Explanation of everything when it comes to cars.

I don't think that exists. My program with tech info has like 20 million pages

[mofo]

(01-23-2012 05:44 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  

(01-23-2012 05:43 PM)mofo Wrote:  

Do you know about a good book that covers all aspects of cars? - How they are built. Parts. Brands. Types of cars. Explanation of everything when it comes to cars.

I don't think that exists. My program with tech info has like 20 million pages

Ok, then a book that explains just the basics. Like info about cars that all men should know, you know what I mean. So can anyone please tell me one book that's like this?

[thegmanifesto]

(01-06-2012 01:02 AM)Blunt Wrote:  

I never really learned much about how car engines work as a kid and now in my early 20's I feel like I'm behind in the game. I was talking with my friend's sister recently and it appeared as if she knew a lot about this stuff. I'm not OK with a non-racecar-driving chick knowing more about engines than me.

I want to learn how to maintain, diagnose, and fix my own vehicles; as well as be able to hold my own in car-related conversations. I'll admit this is almost strictly a pride and hobby related thing, I don't know or care whether this will save me money.

Does anyone know of a good place to start, maybe a book to read?

They usually offer classes at the local community college.

[el mechanico]

(01-23-2012 06:55 PM)mofo Wrote:  

(01-23-2012 05:44 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  

(01-23-2012 05:43 PM)mofo Wrote:  

Do you know about a good book that covers all aspects of cars? - How they are built. Parts. Brands. Types of cars. Explanation of everything when it comes to cars.

I don't think that exists. My program with tech info has like 20 million pages

Ok, then a book that explains just the basics. Like info about cars that all men should know, you know what I mean. So can anyone please tell me one book that's like this?

Basics to start with
http://www.amazon.com/Auto-Repair-Dummie...076459902X

[Donald Duck]

(01-23-2012 05:42 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  

(01-23-2012 05:30 PM)Donald Duck Wrote:  

Has anyone here have any experience with working as a car mechanic? Is it a good and well paying industry?

It depends on how good you are and what you invest in yourself and tools.

For instance about 15 years ago I worked with this guy that made about 900 a week but also had side stuff at his house and made another 1k + on nights and weekends.

My buddy that builds Trannys makes 1500 a week anywhere he goes.

Most guys work on flat rate which is a percentage of labor. at the last place I worked before I opened my own place it was half of 80 an hour and I made them pay me 10% of all the parts I installed.

You also have the skills to buy broken cars and flip them which is worth a grand a month easy.

I think the guys at new car dealers make around 20 an hour on average but some of them turn out 100+ hours a week if they are busy.

Interesting.

Friend of mine works as a mechanic and it's a decent job according to him. Says he also works on a lot of cars from his neighbors who also tell others about him, so he is always busy and $$ keeps rolling in. I think if you have a large network, a lot of money can be made.

[el mechanico]

(01-27-2012 10:35 AM)Donald Duck Wrote:  

(01-23-2012 05:42 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  

(01-23-2012 05:30 PM)Donald Duck Wrote:  

Has anyone here have any experience with working as a car mechanic? Is it a good and well paying industry?

It depends on how good you are and what you invest in yourself and tools.

For instance about 15 years ago I worked with this guy that made about 900 a week but also had side stuff at his house and made another 1k + on nights and weekends.

My buddy that builds Trannys makes 1500 a week anywhere he goes.

Most guys work on flat rate which is a percentage of labor. at the last place I worked before I opened my own place it was half of 80 an hour and I made them pay me 10% of all the parts I installed.

You also have the skills to buy broken cars and flip them which is worth a grand a month easy.

I think the guys at new car dealers make around 20 an hour on average but some of them turn out 100+ hours a week if they are busy.

Interesting.

Friend of mine works as a mechanic and it's a decent job according to him. Says he also works on a lot of cars from his neighbors who also tell others about him, so he is always busy and $$ keeps rolling in. I think if you have a large network, a lot of money can be made.

Well yes that's when you open your own place. Think this..You have three guys working billing out at 80+ per hour add in 30% markup on any parts minimum. With the right sources you can make 300% on Jag, Audi, Benz parts. Add in selling a car or two a month at about a 1000 in profit each. How much are you making? If done right when you're busy 2 to 3 k a day is not a big deal.

[Kona]

Hey El Mechanico.

Can you put up a list of good ways to talk down a mechanic?

I hate paying for things, as I'm sure many other guys do.

How do we get the deals?

Aloha!