To All Auto Mechanics

[daveid]

Ive been into cars since i was around 12 years old. I never had an extra car to tear into or any money to buy anything to do so with but now I just turned 18 and dont have much money and would really like to get into a career with cars. I love muscle cars, thats the main thing i ever pay attention to but i also want to know just basics. SO i was just wondering where you guys went to school or how you learned about cars. I want to go to a school but they are too dam expensive or faraway.

THanx for the help

[eps]

I’ve only recently been into cars, maybe a little less than a year. I wouldn’t say I know a lot about car mechanics, but I can carry on a conversation. I’ve learned everything off the internet. Reading a lot of forum posts, guides on the internet, and just the internet in general. If you want to be a mechanic I would suggest a school or something, but if you want to know the basics and maybe a little more, than I would say the internet is more than qualified for that.

I’m a big computer nerd, and I’ve never took a computer class or anything like that. I’ve been into computers for a while now, maybe 3-4 years and everything I know I learned with the aid of the internet. I would go so far as to say I know more than a 3rd year student going for their masters in Computer Science. I’m not trying to boast about my knowledge, I’m just saying that the internet is a great resource and can teach you a lot.

[blindside.AMG]

I started working on cars when I was about 16 years old. That's when I got my license and took over caring for the family Jeep. Took in the mud one day and I was hooked on off-roading. Built it up nice, got into an off-road club, had some good adventures. Found that I really liked working on cars so I decided to make it a career.

I started off taking auto classes at the junior college I was going to. Found auto engineering and service really interesting so I decided to go to WyoTech. Graduated WyoTech after a year and got accepted into the Mercedes-Benz ELITE program. After the 4 month course at the ELITE program I got a job at Beverly Hills, Ltd.. I've been working on Mercedes ever since. I make pretty good money for a 22 year old, about $23/hr.

Although it's days like I had today where I sometimes wish I had done something different. I was having a pretty good day then I jumped on an ML to do a power steering rack, it just went to shit after that. When you add bad design, air tools, and impatience in the mix it never goes well. Ah well, it's off to Vegas now!!!

If you have any more questions, just let me know.

[Mshkttck]

Read online technical articles.

[INF3RN0666]

Read the forums, get the posts going. Someone always comes along and teaches you something new. I don't have tools to do anything on cars really, but I've replaced a starter. I saved myself $50 that day. I can fix body damage with only an grinder, some sand paper, and spray paint cans. The thing is about cars is that it's really simple if you know your car. It only gets difficult when you have to deal with different cars and different mechanical/electronic parts.

For example: UNTIL THIS VERY DAY, my dealer or my mechanic don't know anything about my car (Eagle Vision ESi). I've had the transmission replaced 3 times now, and I'm the only one that knows why. But my dad was the one who was driving the car at the time, I just "inherited" it after the 3rd replacement.

The point is, find a website that teaches you all the TECHNICAL things about cars. Engines and transmissions are the hardest things to play around with on a car merely because of their weight. A transmission has some complexity to it. The thing is, you need to experiment and that's the best way to attain knowledge.

I have out programmed people who just graduate from computer science. I've never taken a computer class in my life. I just program to fit my needs.

[public]

I would suggest going to a local auto parts store and buying several of the Haynes or Chiltons manuals. You can get them for the car you drive and learn a lot. You can also buy topics like General Engine Repair, Engine Rebuilding, GM Transmissions, Ford Transmissions and such. If you have little mechanical experience-start small. Get the manual on small engine repair and buy yourself an old lawnmower that runs rough(don't buy one that dont run until you learn more). Fix it up while you learn general engine principals. You can then then sell the lawnmower to pay for the repairs. I had the advantage of learning in my fathers autoparts store but I know of many people thru the years who had to learn from these books due to money issues. A couple of young guys went on to become ASE certified mechanics as a career. Good Luck.

[timberdoodle]

I learned all my knowledge from just watching/helping my brothers work on their vehicles. Just start small, older cars are definitely easier to work with. Just remember that anything that you break, can be fixed. The chiltons manuals are great tools to assist you on the way. I just recently got into the online forums, also a great tool but you cant believe every bit of it. Not to bash, but some just say what they think and not the facts.

[daveid]

I was thinking about taking an online type class that they have at pcdi.com or educationdirect.com which education direct is accredited. They say they teach you everything and give you the tools and have you do hands on stuff but i was wondering if they sound like they would help.Its only 800 bux compared to a school that is 20,000 something but i do know that of course school would be way better and you get what you pay for but like i said before, i dont have the money for a full school.

[TechX]

I love vehicles (engines mostly). Like most I started early and attended classes in high school. I worked at a shop for 2 years and realized it is a filthy job with less pay than what I would like. I love it so much though I built a polebarn and started my own small shop. I also have many good "car" friends that love to chat with me. I recommend not only talking to the many great people here but chat with others at carshows, shops, etc... Friends who know certain trades are valuable. Buy magazines with good articles on your favorite subject and read Haynes or Chiltons manuals. Another good way is to get a parttime job at a salvage yard. You could also buy a $50 car and take it apart all by yourself. Doing it teaches you much more than reading it. GL.

[daveid]

ya, thanx....ya my dream job if i knew what the hell i was doing would be putting together some hot rods and stuff but i dont see that in the near future...thanx guys for all your replys, I wish i had the knowledge u guys do right now.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by daveid

ya, thanx....ya my dream job if i knew what the hell i was doing would be putting together some hot rods and stuff but i dont see that in the near future...thanx guys for all your replys, I wish i had the knowledge u guys do right now.

We all had to learn somehow.
I started working on lawn mowers, farm tractors, and dirt bikes back in 1975, when I was 10. It was only after I started driving that I got into cars, because I was pissed off at the huge mechanics bills I had to pay to fix my Jeep.
Technical manuals and internet articles are very helpful, but nothing beats actually working with people who know what they are doing and are willing to show you. I found the best learning experience was going to a technical college and having some friends show me.
Things that require a certain technique, like welding, removing broken bolts, changing ball joints etc are tough to figure out just from a manual alone.