Hello from Sweden/Australia ... I'm here to learn.

[NumbaTiSverige]

Hello everyone,

I'm Australian, living in Sweden and want to learn more about cars, with the aim of eventually restoring and maintaining a "classic" as a daily driver.

A bit of background information: first, when I say a "classic", I don't mean a show-room condition super rare car from 1947. Just an older car with a bit of charm, maybe from somewhere between `65-`80. But before I even think about that, I have a lot to learn. I'm a white-collar worker, and so was my Dad, so I never learned to be very handy, although I've been making up for that over the past couple of years, but mainly with woodworking and building, DIY stuff, not so much mechanics. I'm 46 years old, but I feel it's never too late to learn stuff; and it's not like I'm hopeless, but I'm definitely a beginner, so please if you reply to my posts, keep that in mind. If you start using ******** mechanic lingo, I'll be lost.

I figure step #1 is to learn to properly maintain and care for the car I have now, which is a 2010 Volvo C30. Obviously nothing amazing, but if I can't do basic stuff with that like learn how to change the oil and some basic restoration and maintenance, it's will be a huge waste of time and money diving into a classic restoration project.

My first question is about pulling a dent out of the door. But I'll save that for another thread.

 

[RoninB4]

Welcome to the board from Tennessee. Your goal to own/maintain a classis auto is a worthwhile ambition but first things first.
1) Maintaining your current auto is a good starting point. Do you have the best repair manual for that car available? A generic repair manual will not be good enough for you. Sometimes the information/specifications from one vehicle does not apply to another. A C30 made for the export market (USA) may not be the same as for the domestic (Sweden) market.

I've seen paint codes for motorcycles for the USA and Canada that were different shades of blue for the same make/model/year. The repair manual should be the best available so that it will give specific info to answer any question you have regarding your domestic market C30.

 

[cannuck]

Good on yer, mate! Never too late to learn any new skills. And: welcome to the board from another colonial.

How is your workshop space and tool situation? That will greatly shape the what and how much things you can do. Same for backup vehicle or public transport, as some projects need to be done of time and in some cases are a lot better if not rushed or parts can't be ordered until problem is fully diagnosed by disassembly. Also, as Ronin said, get proper manual (preferably factory - but if you go to the Volvo enthusiast websites they can direct you to WHICH aftermarket manual is actually or virtually the factory information. Our family fleet includes a 2nd gen V70 that my #1 son-in-law (from non-mechanical family as well) has taught himself how to maintain and (near your age and Wife's farm car/DD is a 2015 Q7 TDI that was bought 5 year ago on the back end of dieselgate. At 82,000 kms.I am hearing what sounds like a wheel bearing noise. I assume an HBU 3.2 and since the start of HBU1 cartridges in A1 and B1 chassis I have seen bearing life go from 100k kms up to what I now expect to exceed 300 kms with ease. Assuming this IS a wheel bearing (and this is one of my questions if anyone has experience with front axle making bearing noises at such low miles).what are people seeing from this platform for wheel bearing life?) he now takes on some fairly heavy tasks on his own.

 

[NumbaTiSverige]

Thanks for the welcome guys.

To answer questions - workshop and tool situation is virtually non-existent. I mean, I have some power tools for general DIY stuff, drill, impact driver, angle grinder, sander, that sort of stuff. But nothing specific auto-related. I have a small work shed, again mainly DIY home related. Not even close to a garage.

But I do have my own house. It's a small hunter's cabin on a fair block of land. So building a medium sized garage is definitely on the cards in the coming years.

Thanks for the tips, I'll look into that manual.

 

[NumbaTiSverige]

Oh wait ... I think I've signed up to the wrong forum.

This specifically about the garage? Okay. I was looking for a general automotive, restoration forum. Got any good tips?

 

[cannuck]

The forum is not only about the garage but also anything you want to do within. I came when I was getting ready to build a new shop but stay for the wide range of people with experience and knowledge of many, many other subjects. Come here for the faciliies, tools, working with same but by all means go to the Volvo forum to get very specific information on the car you have and maybe the car you might like to "restore" (PV544, Amazon incl 123GT, P1800??? lots of options)

 

[nadogail]

You may want to find an older Volvo or VW.

 

[micromind]

A bit late but welcome from western Nevada, USA.

 

[RoninB4]

You may want to find an older Volvo or VW.

+1 on an older Volvo. I had 2 of the P1800 series and 2 of the 122 series. Being in Sweden finding parts for restoration and/or upgrade shouldn't be a problem. Likely a couple of rally clubs to get involved in too.