Support NeoGAF

[stickkidsam]

…and I don’t know a damn thing about cars. I mean I can drive and point to an engine. Replace tires. If you start talking about cylinders though I’m lost.

My new boss is helping me learn about cars so it doubles as an apprenticeship, which is great. I’ve always wanted to learn how to work on cars. Still, I don’t want to be a pain to teach. I also want to help out around the shop as best I can.

Anybody experienced with cars or as mechanics that can give me some advice? What would be good for me to look into? Cars for dummies?

 

[FunkMiller]

Do you mean actual, drivable cars? Or those weird, thick trifle things that Americans think are cars?

 

[RoboFu]

Do you mean actual, drivable cars? Or those weird, thick trifle things that Americans think are cars?

Yup you sure got us beat.

 

[DeceptiveAlarm]

If someone pulls in a f250 lifted make sure you tell them how bad it is for the environment.

 

[chromhound]

…and I don’t know a damn thing about cars. I mean I can drive and point to an engine. Replace tires. If you start talking about cylinders though I’m lost.

My new boss is helping me learn about cars so it doubles as an apprenticeship, which is great. I’ve always wanted to learn how to work on cars. Still, I don’t want to be a pain to teach. I also want to help out around the shop as best I can.

Anybody experienced with cars or as mechanics that can give me some advice? What would be good for me to look into? Cars for dummies?

YouTube is your best friend

 

[AJUMP23]

I don’t know enough about cars to tell you about cars. But this is what you need to know.

If your boss is taking time and paying you to educate you, then you pay attention learn and if you don’t know ask. He is investing in you now for a future later. The boss sees value in his effort, respect it.

 

[Mistake]

Ask around and see if there’s a junk car you can work on. I’m sure some people there would like to help if you have it as a pet project

 

[Crayon]

Cars are one thing and general mechanical is another. If you really don't know anything about cars, just get some quick youtube on how an engine works and how electronic fuel injection works. I would say emmisions controls after that. Then try to learn what different automotive tools look like. Such as an impact wrench or a torque wrench. That way when he says "grab me the pickle fork", you might know what you are looking for and why.

Here's a fun tool tip: the reason there are all kinds of weird shapes and variations of the same size wrench in a mechanic's garage is that some bolts are a godawful bitch to reach. So those weird s-shaped wrenches and whatnot are not used for specific jobs, but to make it easeir to get that MOTHERFUCKING FUEL FILTER BRACKET OUT FROM UNDER THAT GOD DAMNED PLENUM. Also mechanics swear a lot for a reason.

I would also reccommend scotty kilmer's channel on youtube. He's a mechanic that tells normal people how to do hackey shit. Most mechanics hate that shit but it can be illuminating.

The best way to learn is to have a car you can afford to fuck up and start doing progressively larger jobs on it. If you don't already have a second beater car around and a place to stow it when you are stuck on a job that is a tall order so don't worry about it.

You are going to have to trust him. If he thinks you can do it, believe him.

 

[FunkMiller]

Yup you sure got us beat.

That can probably take a corner better than every American car ever made

 

[ManaByte]

That can probably take a corner better than every American car ever made

 

[DGrayson]

Im no car expert but I have restored a couple of cars.

The best thing I can recommend is to think about how a car works and then watch some YT vids on each component.

You can read this too

How Does An Internal Combustion Engine Work?

In this article, we’ll discuss how an internal combustion engine turns air and fuel into power, as well as explain some terms related to engine components.

www.carid.com

 

[Pejo]

Do you mean actual, drivable cars? Or those weird, thick trifle things that Americans think are cars?

 

[I collect VHS tapes]

Do you mean actual, drivable cars? Or those weird, thick trifle things that Americans think are cars?

 

[Maiden Voyage]

I try not to look into other peoples' vehicles. I find it rude.

 

[PSYGN]

Be sure not to pull the cam shaft defabmacator over the wifflewäff doohickulator. Common rookie mistake.

 

[stickkidsam]

Thanks a lot for the help everyone!

It was a solid first day and my boss took the time to explain things, so that helped with the shotgun shells of terminology. His first bit of advice was “The stupid question is the one you didn’t ask”, so I think I’m in good hands.

Looks like it’s Diesel engines I’ll be learning first!

 

[Maiden Voyage]

Thanks a lot for the help everyone!

It was a solid first day and my boss took the time to explain things, so that helped with the shotgun shells of terminology. His first bit of advice was “The stupid question is the one you didn’t ask”, so I think I’m in good hands.

Looks like it’s Diesel engines I’ll be learning first!

One of the best first things to learn is how to change out the blinker fluid.

 

[Northeastmonk]

Being a mechanic must be a blessing. Knowing you can fix the thing you rely on to get you from here to there.

 

[Crayon]

Being a mechanic must be a blessing. Knowing you can fix the thing you rely on to get you from here to there.

It's pretty cool. But it can be a real fuckin chore. I needed a clutch and that is just a shitty job on my car. There was no way I was going to get into all that in my car port.

Then I got a few estimates and they were ridiculous... So I did it in my carport. While it was nice to save a bunch of money, I can't erase the memory of being out there 1 in the morning trying to wiggle a transmission back on.

It is pretty cool tho. I save a lot of money not just maintaining my own cars, but I can buy cheaper ones, too. The kind of car that wouldn't be worth fixing if you had to pay a mechanic. Like I needed new brakes this weekend and taking it to a mechanic didn't even cross mind.

 

[Nitty_Grimes]

I read this as just started working as a shepherd.

Sorry.

Edit: fucking auto correct.

 

[Soodanim]

Thanks a lot for the help everyone!

It was a solid first day and my boss took the time to explain things, so that helped with the shotgun shells of terminology. His first bit of advice was “The stupid question is the one you didn’t ask”, so I think I’m in good hands.

Looks like it’s Diesel engines I’ll be learning first!

Sounds like you have a good teacher. Not everyone is that willing to teach, just make sure you properly appreciate it.

 

[ahtlas7]

oui

 

[dr_octagon]

 

[FunkMiller]

Still one of the funniest thing I’ve ever seen on TV

 

[Maiden Voyage]

Who doesn't love the fine automobiles that came out of Britain? Like the Marcos Mantis M70 here.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

Anybody experienced with cars or as mechanics that can give me some advice? What would be good for me to look into? Cars for dummies?

How to Build a Car: The Autobiography of the World’s Greatest Formula 1 Designer https://amzn.eu/d/1xccOIY

Hang in there, in 10 years you will be making retarded amount of money out of all rich fucks servicing their vintage cars. Make sure you specialise in that.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

Being a mechanic must be a blessing. Knowing you can fix the thing you rely on to get you from here to there.

Yes and no, since with the advent of EV I’m sure companies will go the way of Apple/Tesla and start restricting the amount of work you can do on the car, probably by using custom parts and not allowing 3rd party stores to procure them.

 

[Soodanim]

Who doesn't love the fine automobiles that came out of Britain? Like the Marcos Mantis M70 here.

Hey now, seeing as we're a gaming forum it's only right that we acknowledge a vehicle from the man that brought us the ZX Spectrum, the Sinlcair C5:

 

[AlteredForms]

There will be a day where garages die out due to manufacturers cutting out the middleman. You see what's happening with Tesla and their innovations.

 

[SJRB]

Play Car Mechanic Simulator in your free time!

 

[RJMacready73]

Top Gear is all you need, not the new one, the old ones with Clarkson, May & Hammond, teach you everything you need to know about cars

 

[dr_octagon]

They named an engine after Maiden Voyage

Wankel engine - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[jason10mm]

Whoa whoa whoa, we talking jiffy lube level "shop hand" or an actual mechanics shop?

'Cause if you are doing real wrench work with no prior experience or training....yikes.

Even at jiffy lube you can kill a car (or the person inside) with an improper oil change, forgetting to fill correctly, etc.

Be safe, it's a bigger job than people think.

 

[Soodanim]

Whoa whoa whoa, we talking jiffy lube level "shop hand" or an actual mechanics shop?

'Cause if you are doing real wrench work with no prior experience or training....yikes.

Even at jiffy lube you can kill a car (or the person inside) with an improper oil change, forgetting to fill correctly, etc.

Be safe, it's a bigger job than people think.

I'm not American, so I can only guess that Jiffy Lube is some sort of cheap franchise for car repair that doesn't have a stellar reputation... or an gay prostitution metaphor.

 

[Catphish]

I can't stop laughing at this fucking thing.

 

[dr_octagon]

I can't stop laughing at this fucking thing.

 

[Catphish]

goddammit

 

[jason10mm]

I'm not American, so I can only guess that Jiffy Lube is some sort of cheap franchise for car repair that doesn't have a stellar reputation... or an gay prostitution metaphor.

But yes, juffy lube is a place where you can get an oil change or (if you like to gamble) some brake or transmission fluids done. Lots of problems as they tend to hire inexperienced gents such as yourself without a lot of knowledge or supervision on various cars they might encounter.

 

[Soodanim]

inexperienced gents such as yourself

That's a bold accusation, just because I'm not experienced in "Real wrench jobs" it doesn't mean I can't get a job something better than a professional 'Lube man.

I'll have you know I've listened to many a rockauto.com ad read in podcasts, so I don't think there's much more to know about the trade than that

 

[jason10mm]

That's a bold accusation, just because I'm not experienced in "Real wrench jobs" it doesn't mean I can't get a job something better than a professional 'Lube man.

I'll have you know I've listened to many a rockauto.com ad read in podcasts, so I don't think there's much more to know about the trade than that

Ahhh, sounds like you already know the most important part of being a mechanic, "5w20 can be freely substituted for 10w30 with no complications!"

 

[Crayon]

I go to jiffy lube cuz I can't be asked to change oil anymore lol. If you have a really expensive car, go somewhere nice I guess. Whoever does it, check your fill level right after.

My friend took his low mileage Sentra into the dealership for an oil change, and they apparently forgot to put any back in. His engine ran for a whole day before it blew up. Anyone can fuck up your shit, not just jiffy lube.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Just learn the most common jobs you will be doing like the back of your hand then let the rest come with time. You don’t need to know the ins and outs of internal combustion engines to do a brake job or oil change.

 

[Hardensoul]

I go to jiffy lube cuz I can't be asked to change oil anymore lol. If you have a really expensive car, go somewhere nice I guess. Whoever does it, check your fill level right after.

My friend took his low mileage Sentra into the dealership for an oil change, and they apparently forgot to put any back in. His engine ran for a whole day before it blew up. Anyone can fuck up your shit, not just jiffy lube.

Holyshit! Reminds me of the time the oil pan plug screw came loose on my car and another the spark plug came loose! Both were from different reputable shops!

 

[AJUMP23]

I go to jiffy lube cuz I can't be asked to change oil anymore lol. If you have a really expensive car, go somewhere nice I guess. Whoever does it, check your fill level right after.

My friend took his low mileage Sentra into the dealership for an oil change, and they apparently forgot to put any back in. His engine ran for a whole day before it blew up. Anyone can fuck up your shit, not just jiffy lube.

My sister in law went to have her tires rotated and marked them prior to rotation. They brought her car back and she checked it they had done nothing. She got a lot of free service from the place. But I would have never gone back there.

 

[Kagey K]

One of the greatest threads Gaf ever birthed.

https://www.neogaf.com/threads/what-makes-a-car-wash-polish.1128497/

 

[DaleinCalgary]

Use a torque wrench the you are doing tires.

On the ground

 

[MrA]

Looks like it’s Diesel engines I’ll be learning first!

do not mess with the fuel lines unless told, those things can mess you up, diesel fuel in under incredible pressure in the fuel rail.

Top Gear is all you need, not the new one, the old ones with Clarkson, May & Hammond, teach you everything you need to know about cars

and life

 

[Crayon]

Use a torque wrench the you are doing tires.

On the ground

I usually go tighter. Because I'm ghetto lol.

I took my car to a shitty used tire shop so I could see if I could drive around some really big tires without rubbing. So you know, I got them cheap used to make sure they fit before I invested in some good stuff.

Worked out great. But a week later, when I went to take off the wheels, a 650 lb impact wrench couldn't take them off!!!! They obviously weren't on long enough to freeze, so that means they really we're on with at least five times the torque they should have been.

Studs were fine!

Still good advice to use a torque wrench, though. But I would go a little over, personally.

I just had to change my front brakes this weekend because an axle nut that I had tightened to the torque spec came loose and ruined them. Yeah I don't know what I was thinking. When I put that nut back on I stuck a 2 ft bar on it and jumped on the motherfucker.

 

[DaleinCalgary]

I usually go tighter. Because I'm ghetto lol.

I took my car to a shitty used tire shop so I could see if I could drive around some really big tires without rubbing. So you know, I got them cheap used to make sure they fit before I invested in some good stuff.

Worked out great. But a week later, when I went to take off the wheels, a 650 lb impact wrench couldn't take them off!!!! They obviously weren't on long enough to freeze, so that means they really we're on with at least five times the torque they should have been.

Studs were fine!

Still good advice to use a torque wrench, though. But I would go a little over, personally.

I just had to change my front brakes this weekend because an axle nut that I had tightened to the torque spec came loose and ruined them. Yeah I don't know what I was thinking. When I put that nut back on I stuck a 2 ft bar on it and jumped on the motherfucker.

Clean the hubs with grinder when you swap wheels.

 

[Crayon]

Clean the hubs with grinder when you swap wheels.

hmm. Never thought of that. They usually have a.... patina.... on them. I'll try it out, thanks!