To learn how to work on cars? I am very much interested in cars and have a basic general knowledge of what goes on in an engine. I have never worked on cars before, and my father didn't either so I never learned from him or anybody else. I would really like to work on my own car which sort of answers my own question.. I am only 19..I just feel very intimidated with the whole idea. I feel like if I went into a school to learn I would be that one guy who doesnt know a damn thing!! Do some people just not have what it takes? A friend of mine isn't very bright, but hes great with cars. Do you have to be one of these people?

 

At 19 no not at all, but at 91 I'd say probably better things to do with your time.

Tear into it, and don't be intimidated by a bunch of parts bolted together. That's really all it is.

www.rebuildingrotaryengines.com

 

expensive legos

 

You just have to want to learn. Start reading a lot and just go at it. Don't be afraid to do something. Just make sure you have the right info and tools before attempting something you're questioning. This site has taught me a wealth of information. I got my first 7 when I was 19, now i'm 25 and still love them more than ever.

 

Haynes manual is a good investment if your new to working on cars, some of the explanations are very simple and straightforward.

 

I was 20 before I ever contemplated doing anything more complicated than changing oil.

I figured out how most of the systems on a car work by going to howstuffworks.com during my downtime on an internship. When I got back from the internship (e-marketing btw) I got a job @ Sears Automotive.

Before I bought my Rx-7 I read every single post in the archive section (and most of Aaron Cake's website). Then I sold my Camry on eBay and jumped right in.

Knowledge is NOT power. Applied knowledge is power. There's only so much you can "learn" w/o doing, so do some research and get ready to jump in.

 

i hopped in with a very limited amount of knowledge. now a couple years later, i have a good idea of what im doing.

 

Thanks for all the advice, I should probably just do it. Whats the worst that could happen, right? Im not even really talking about just rebuilding an engine, but possibly going into school for automotive. I dont want to go into a school and be the guy with absolutely no automotive background, ya know?! I do alot of research and I am capable of learning new things. Dont you need some sort of mechanical aptitude though? Ive never been one to really take anything apart and put it back together which is where some of my hesitation is coming from.

 

I don't think there's anything that it's too late to start when you're 19. Except maybe Olympic gymnastics.

My dad taught me how to check the fluids and tire pressure on a car, change an air filter, and the most basic of maintenance because that's all he knew or cared to know. I've been teaching myself about cars little by little ever since. Get some books (Haynes manual is good start, and download the FSM too), hang around with friends when they're working on cars, read this site, etc.

I will say it can be challenging to attempt major automotive projects by yourself as a novice when you only have one car. There will be times when things are just too big or too difficult for you to reasonably finish in time to have your car ready for work or school the next morning. There's nothing wrong with paying the professionals sometimes. At least that's what my wife always says...

 

Good thing for me I am not too interested in olympic gymnastics, dont have the body for it :P I am not really in a huge rush to tear down a car and build it up, I will have a daily driver and I am just waiting to get the car (a good friend is holding his rx7 for me, just need to save up a little bit more money) so the problem of too big of a project wont really be there. I am honestly not comfortable just jumping right into it.. I think going to school would really give me the confidence I need to tackle any sort of automotive project and if I do good I can become ASE certified which is a huge bonus

 

Everyone has to start somewhere, live and learn. Im on this forum just about everyday for the past 5 years. This forum and hands on experience got me to the point where i can do just about anything i need to my car. Also owning a haynes manual has been very handy. P.S "welcome to the club, cut up your credit cards."

 

Well I just talked to a friend of mine and the first thing he was saying is dont go through with the school if you are just doing it for yourself, which is what I would be doing. I dont want to be a mechanic, I just want to be confident working on my cars. I guess what I need to do is just dive into my car. I will buy the haynes manual and just do it!! I guess ya just need to talk out loud to figure out what you need to do sometimes!! Now I am anxious to get the car

 

Thanks for all the feedback everybody. I am on here every night just reading and looking things up. This site has really convinced me to go through with the 7, theres just so much knowledge floating around here its great

 

^Try not to step in the bullshit

 

Ill keep an eye, and a nose out for it!!

 

never...

 

man, im only 22 and im working on ferraris. THATS intimidating. having to work on 150k cars and not **** anything up, these cars are simple as possible, promise.

Lloyd

 

Nope never too late IMO, with a mechcanic & me in the family my older brother decided to learn how to work on his own vehicles & he is in his late 30's

 

True that.

I had legos, erector sets, lincoln logs, model cars, boats, submarines......

I just moved up in scale and had to buy my own toys as i got older.



Um, i think i was 20 or 21 when i got my dsm project and learned much about working on cars, the scene and what NOT to do.......

You'll be fine and enjoy your newfound hobby. Cars are not for children, just adults that want to feel like children.

 

Maybe your friend is a little smart if he knows how to work on cars, Ive always been into cars, I did my first engine swap at 15, It was a 510 station wagon, removed the L16 with a L18 pist-on engine. Its never too late to learn, I know, Im back in school after 20 years

 

You could also look for some community college classes. Along with offering ASE certification-track courses, some schools have more basic "adult education"-type stuff that might be more appropriate for you if you're approaching it more as a hobby. Not to mention that the typical students in those classes would probably have less experience than the guys in the ASE classes, so the atmosphere might be less intimidating.

 

Just take a day off and read through the following website, you'll be a pro!

http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/

 

LOL i feel ya man, I am 26 and have been working F-16's since I was 19 and rebuilding and troubleshooting F-15 Turbine P&W F-100 220E engines since I was 24.

A 3.5 million dollar motor can get intimidating.


As for the O.P. -- Best advise I can give you is research, research, RESEARCH and TAKE YOUR TIME. Always stop and think before you even turn the wrench.

 

I totally did not expect this many responses!! I am feeling more confident now, and the college I go to does actually offer an automotive class so I am going to sign up for that. There are infinite resources through the internet and books and other people combined with the fact I would give myself well over a year to replace everything that its crazy to not even try..I did build some pretty wild lego houses as a kid! I guess I have more experience than I thought I guess Ill need some tools, I wasnt really brought up in a household where theres all sort of tools lying around!! Maybe I should start another thread for this but what would I need for tools? Just for the basic disassembly and that sort of thing Is there like an " automotive beginner tool set " haha.... ? : l

 

I picked up a set of tools like this set-up from Sears, after I got tired of my cheap tools stripping out my bolt heads.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...000P?adCell=W3

Its a good starting point of your wanting to build a tool collection up, just add some pliers and screw drivers to it. And maybe look into another box since, the stock one kinda sucks if your not careful because the **** might open on you. Other then that I'm happy with it.