Re: New guy here!

[Ramon A]

Rob, Way to go!

Here are some suggestions - they cost some money but not as much as paying
for service,
..
Get a set of basic tools - nothing fancy, spanners, sockets, screwdrivers,
pliers, cutters, cheap multimeter etc. other suggestions may come from this
ng

New is best but also go to local auto jumbles or tool auctions for s/h tools
etc or possibly ebay.

obtain two workshop manuals for your car from EBAY or auto jumbles
1 haynes
2 manufacturers w/s manual

Read them both - TWICE. (bedtime reading)

likewise the owners manual, that came with the car - also available on ebay
etc

things will become clear on the SECOND reading.

Skip the non-basic parts that dont really matter and stick to the sections
on engine/transmission/brakes/suspension etc, also basic servicing such as
plugs, filters, etc

look in your local adult educational unit for a evening course on basic car
maintenance. - enrol.

Surf the net for any cars subject under the sun. use google for say "battery
care" and you get multiple hits. print off the best on every subject you can
think of. ignition, 4 stroke cycle, fuel injection, carburation, etc etc and
build up a file of reading material. and then READ THEM..

Using the basic tool kit, take things off your car, inspect them a put them
back. use the manuals to find out how.

eg - wiper blades, light bulbs, door trim, boot trim, wiper motors, light
lens, door lock.

then more adventurously, engine parts/covers, drain and replace oil and
filter, same with coolant, same with washer fluid. learn to check battery
function using a basic voltmeter.

this exercise can also double as rolling restoration.

all of this is a 1 year learning exercise to familiarise yourself with the
car, how things are put together and come apart. (thinks! get a part time
job in a car breaking yard - my son did his first 3 years at a breakers yard
and he was building drag racers at the age of 19).

then the first time something needs replacing -say stop light bulb or praps
a broken door lock - you will already know how to do it.

you are 20 now! by the time you are 21 you will be amazed at what you have
learned.

for payback - you can do minor jobs on friends and families cars for cash.

If you have trouble finding the time for all the above - praps its time to
give up some other leisure time activity , because cars can dominate your
life if you let them.

Rgds
Ramon
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/ineedaholiday/SD1.html


"rob1" <invalid.email@notsogood.invalid> wrote in message
news:2t082iF1q4iv0U1@uni-berlin.de...
> Hi everyone,
> Im kinda new here, been lurking for a few weeks (possibly posted once) but
> I thought I'd introduce myself! I'm Rob, I'm 20, and I'm interested in

[rob1]

Ramon A wrote:

> Rob, Way to go!
>
> Here are some suggestions - they cost some money but not as much as paying
> for service,
> .
> Get a set of basic tools - nothing fancy, spanners, sockets, screwdrivers,
> pliers, cutters, cheap multimeter etc. other suggestions may come from this
> ng
>
> New is best but also go to local auto jumbles or tool auctions for s/h tools
> etc or possibly ebay.
>
> obtain two workshop manuals for your car from EBAY or auto jumbles
> 1 haynes
> 2 manufacturers w/s manual
>
> Read them both - TWICE. (bedtime reading)

I had a feeling that you'd say the haynes manual! I'll run off to halfords
tomorrow. It might be under the "vintage" section of Ebay. ;-)

Actually on looking, £3 for the haynes. Guess what I've just bid on!


> likewise the owners manual, that came with the car - also available on ebay
> etc
>
> things will become clear on the SECOND reading.
>
> Skip the non-basic parts that dont really matter and stick to the sections
> on engine/transmission/brakes/suspension etc, also basic servicing such as
> plugs, filters, etc
>
> look in your local adult educational unit for a evening course on basic car
> maintenance. - enrol.
>
> Surf the net for any cars subject under the sun. use google for say "battery
> care" and you get multiple hits. print off the best on every subject you can
> think of. ignition, 4 stroke cycle, fuel injection, carburation, etc etc and
> build up a file of reading material. and then READ THEM..

The first bit is easy enough "surf the net and find...", its the "read them"
part thats hard. Still, what else can I do at night?!

> Using the basic tool kit, take things off your car, inspect them a put them
> back. use the manuals to find out how.
>
> eg - wiper blades, light bulbs, door trim, boot trim, wiper motors, light
> lens, door lock.

Door lock! At the moment I'm trying to install central locking and electric
windows into my car. Pretty stupid without a manual to refer to (ok, its
probably an easy job for all of you, but its hard for me!) working out which
wires to suck on is always fun.

> then more adventurously, engine parts/covers, drain and replace oil and
> filter, same with coolant, same with washer fluid. learn to check battery
> function using a basic voltmeter.
>
> this exercise can also double as rolling restoration.

And then, when the garage try to tell me "we had to replace the battery, it
was reading really low", I can explain my take on it, hehehe

> all of this is a 1 year learning exercise to familiarise yourself with the
> car, how things are put together and come apart. (thinks! get a part time
> job in a car breaking yard - my son did his first 3 years at a breakers yard
> and he was building drag racers at the age of 19).

Thats a good idea, cheers

> then the first time something needs replacing -say stop light bulb or praps
> a broken door lock - you will already know how to do it.
>
> you are 20 now! by the time you are 21 you will be amazed at what you have
> learned.

I hope so. I might see if the local scrappy will let me pull a random old
car apart in their yard. There's something about pouring oil everywhere on
a main road that just doesnt appeal to me - the car sits on the road outside
my flat.

> for payback - you can do minor jobs on friends and families cars for cash.

Now *that* would be cool. Hopefully as good as (if not better - more
attention to detail) than the garage. Then again, I suppose the techs at
the garage have the advantage of years of experience, and with it being
their job.

> If you have trouble finding the time for all the above - praps its time to
> give up some other leisure time activity , because cars can dominate your
> life if you let them.

Oh no! Guitars, beer, or women?!