Help getting started fixing my cars.

[thecody59]

Hi i have just started trying to work on my cars about 3 months ago i started simple and went to harbor freight then that led to alot more tool purchases since then. I have tried to by more usa made tools but i got a little crazy and now own two full tool chests worth of tools. I have spent over 2k on tools and chests so far but the kicker is i have not done one singe thing to my cars yet. I keep putting it off because of work or something else but yet i keep buying tools because of all the deal that happen here. So how to you guys get in the mood to start working on your cars because time is running out and i need to get my car and truck fixed before spring comes along thanks guys.

Sorry wasn't sure where to put this fell free to move to correct spot thanks.

 

[lunkhead]

If you've only spent 2K, then you are way behind the rest of us, spend at least another 5 or 6 and then we'll talk.

 

[DanInVA]

What repairs are you trying to get done? I am a mechanic, but sadly a lot of my own repairs get put on the back burner. I keep the wife's car running fine, though.

 

[thecody59]

Just simple ones mostly brakes, belts, and such but also got to change out the entire exhaust on my 79 rx7 which i know will be a pain because it is connected to the engine and have been told i might have to take out the whole engine to do it. Plus some stuff on my truck i just bought but got it for only $1k so of course it need some work.

 

[1950mercury]

1st id say stop buying **** cheap tools in the hot deals section if you have been even if they are cheap.
2nd get off the internet and go work on your cars you will find out real fast what tools you need and buy them as you need them. Your 2000 dollars worth of tools is useless if you dont use them.

Turn on the radio while your working on them or have friends over while you work on them. Have a beer while you work on them (if you are of age)

 

[thecody59]

Actually i have been buying alot of good tools a Milwaukee fuel kit, a craigslist find with a bunch of usa made sockets and tools, esc but yeah that hot deals section is a killer on my wallet but some deals there are to good to pass up. I am 19 but my job takes up most of my free time and in a couple months i am being promoted to manager so i will be working 60 plus hours a week so i really need to manage my car time so i actually have time to work on my truck and car.

 

[Docman]

have been told i might have to take out the whole engine to do it.

There's your problem. Stop hesitating and just do it. You'll never know until you do it. If you don't have the tool necessary to complete the job then go out and buy it when you need it.

Newbies almost always get told one of the following:

1. You don't know what you'll need yet. Get a cheap variety of the basics: sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, etc. If you're missing something fill in the holes as needed. Once you have an idea of what you will be using most often then consider upgrading just those things, or only upgrade as they break.

2. Determine what you will need as best you can and buy a minimal setup from a premium brand. You'll be happier to have done so in the long run, and in your case they will likely last your lifetime, unlike a bunch of cheap tools.

You'll never have every possible tool for every possible situation, especially as a hobbyist/DYIer. If you've spent 2k so far without doing a thing ( ) i'm sure you've got more than enough for jobs you've mentioned so far. Just jump in and have fun.

 

[paulsomlo]

So how to you guys get in the mood to start working on your cars...

When they quit running, that puts me in the mood quickly.

But seriously, I enjoy working on them, actually look forward to it. And the reason I do it, is so I don't end up having to call AAA from the side of the road. I have a friend with an Escape, 177,000 miles, never does any preventive maintenance. She's 60 miles away, I tell her to get the car up here twice a year or so, which never seems to happen. She's always in reaction mode, which is understandable, given the mileage. If you don't want to be in reaction mode all the time, get on it and start doing maintenance.

Start with the simple things - brakes, belts, etc., and get your confidence up, then tackle things like the exhaust. Years from now, you'll find yourself taking on jobs that are now unimaginable. And using those nice, new, shiny tools, is much more fun than just running your hands over them. As mentioned earlier, you'll always be buying tools, it's endless - the complexity of modern automobiles virtually guarantees that. Start with the tools you have, and buy them as needed. Sometimes that means in the middle of a job, and sometimes that means making a mental note to buy tool "xyz" to make the job easier next time.

 

[STEVENC]

Go on a forum specifically for your vehicle. look up what job you want to take on. Make sure you have the proper tools and supplies to finish. Print out anything you need to read. Then get to it.

Other than that, what motivates me to work on my truck is Coffee, beer, or the fear of public transportation.

 

[thecody59]

That's all set for my rx7 got 3 books for it even a original 79 vice manual from the Mazda shop just need to get to reading them. The problem is in a couple months a will be really low on time to work on them a will at least be working 60 plus hours a week till i get the crew on my side and everything running smoothly i will be there at my job 8 to 12 hours a day everyday.

 

[JRC3]

Youtube can your friend.

 

[DennisH2014]

I don't think you'll have to remove the engine. I replaced the exhaust from the down pipe to the mufflers on my '88 RX7, and it wasn't bad at all honestly.

 

[thecody59]

I think mine is different it has a huge square box connected to the engine i had a guy take a look at it that knows more then me about these and says in is almost impossible to take off without lifting the engine i might take up the offer on my cousins boyfriend said he can do it for a couple hounded but i really wanted to do it myself.

 

[Nikon_RH50]

Get away from this forum and research the forums and YouTube's. Stay here you'll just buy more tools and your car stays the same. That reminds me I should do the same. I got a Tahoe to finish.

 

[DennisH2014]

Well, I assume your car has the 12A, which can't be all that different from my 13B, but I dunno for sure. Check the RX7Club forums, it's the best place for such information.

 

[motofool33]

set the alarm early, set a pot of coffee on and get yer *** outside. thats how the rest of us do it.

 

[jim1987]

A job doesn't take up free time. What's left after a paying job and sleep, that's free time.


That's all I can add.

 

[thecody59]

That's the problem I don't want to work on my car the day I work but I guess I am going to have to start if I want to get anyhing done. also I have no mechanic experience so everything I am doing is the first time so it will take a lot longer to get the job done.

 

[thecody59]

Plus I forgot to tell you it is hard wotking because I Live with my mom and brother who both work nights and sleep during the day and I live in a town house so I can't make a lot of noise at night.

 

[Jagmandave]

I find it interesting that the first advice a person gets on how to do a job is to go to Google, a forum or You Tube.

I'll bet most of the guys on this forum learned by going out and just taking it apart.....whatever happened to that? What happened to curiosity and mechanical aptitude?

I think those resources can be a good thing, but nothing beats getting your hands dirty and learning as you go. The problem with using those references first is that I see people tackling complex jobs when they have no basic understanding of how or why things work together - they seem to think it's all plug and play. I see them wanting to overhaul an engine before they know which way to turn the bolts.

I admit, I often tell my beginning students to look up the procedure in All Data or Mitchell before they start, but we are time constrained - if a job we're getting ready to do is quoted at 4 hours, we have 2 1/2 hours of available shop time before the next class needs the lifts and we have to clear out, so whatever job we're doing either has to be completed in that time or able to roll out of the shop till the next class.

When you're working on your own stuff, the only time constraint is when you absolutely need the car next.....so you can take your time and really explore how it goes together and works.

OTOH, I know a of of guys who got started working on their cars with a Hanes manual propped up on the windshield or fender while they worked, so whatever works...... I always used the manuals for spec references or if I got stuck, but preferred to just roll up my sleeves and go.

 

[logical]

Sell the tools and find a mechanic doing side work, maybe its just not your thing.

 

[signcrafter]

It really sounds like you don't like or enjoy working on cars. I enjoy it, for the most part. So I get home from work and go work on whatever for a while until I'm tired. I do this because I like to do it. You keep making up reasons not to work on your cars. If you truly enjoyed working on your cars you wouldn't have asked this question and would just start working on the cars. Sure there are days when I don't feel like working on anything and there are jobs I know will be a major pain so I make excuses and put off doing them. But most of the time I have no problem going out in the garage and working, even if it's just tinkering around with something for fun. Maybe I don't have a lot of energy so will just take some stuff apart to get started on something. Or maybe I will just hook up my scanner to vehicle and play around for a while to try and learn something.

 

[Jagmandave]

See? That's what I'm on about, I don't see a lot of that in younger guys these days, they want a quick, easy snap in a new part and go sort of work. I understand it, after all that's how their computers work... a few screws, snap in the new board and off you go.

I grew up where you took something apart to learn how it worked, and in doing so you learned all sorts of other important things, like how tight is tight enough, which way do you turn the bolt to loosen it and most importantly, to pay attention to how it came apart so you could put it back together again!

 

[1950mercury]

Dude you have a million excuses...just pay someome to do it. Its obvious you dont want to work on them.

Just be happy being a tool polisher

 

[Cypherian]

What repairs are you trying to get done? I am a mechanic, but sadly a lot of my own repairs get put on the back burner. I keep the wife's car running fine, though.

LOL

A happy wife is a happy life .. but there is the old saying a Cobblers kids are the only ones running around with out shoes :} What should motivate the OP is the cost of paying for repairs that are beyond his current skill set if he does not do the basic stuff now that his skill set allows.

Cypher

 

[thecody59]

Well I never started on my car yet so I can't say I don't enjoy it I just need to get the ball Rolling and get down to business.

 

[mrjaw14]

if you're working on your own vehicles primarily, invest in the factory service manuals. The haynes and chiltons gives you enough information to make you mad. If you only have a few vehicles, try to find a copy of the factory service manuals on ebay as they can be kind of expensive. Get a lot more reasonable the older your vehicles are.

I buy tools as I need them to do the job. If you try to cover every contingency you'll go broke. If you intend to service your own vehicles it's a good investment. But if you're going brakes, oil changes, belts, etc you don't need a lot of high dollar tools for that sort of thing. I work on my own vehicles and have a lot of different sizes of ratchets, extensions, U joints, a ton of pliers etc because sometimes I think I can work on something without removing everything I probably should and so I have some special tools to gain access. Then sometimes you have to bite the bullet and remove perfectly good working parts to get to what you need.

The first time you do something it does scare you. But once you have a handle on it it becomes easy. then the next time you have the confidence to go a little further. YOUTUBE is your friend. If you have a mental picture of what you need to do then it's not so intimidating to do a water pump, alternator, intake manifold gasket, or other things that people just starting out just look at and scratch their heads and the pros just laugh at us for being so green.

I'm right there with you man, I'm not a pro mechanic either, I'm just good at mechanical things so I can get by doing a lot of my own work. I can say though it's very rewarding when someone quotes you $500-$600 for some work and you do it yourself for the cost of the part. You really feel empowered. having said that, know your limits. I haven't attempted a rear main or timing belt yet. Wasn't there yet last time one needed to be done and I needed the car. But I've grown since then and next timing belt I'm doing myself. Just make sure you have the money for a tow and the money to repair something if you can't fix it or screw it up. if you have that, pound away at it yourself knowing that you have that insurance.

 

[Halfdawg]

Maybe stop buying tools and buy some Kleenex's instead. So much whining about working too hard, I learned to wrench every weekend trying to keep my **** running so I could get to work, sometimes late at night so I could go to work the next morning.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

 

[DanInVA]

A job doesn't take up free time. What's left after a paying job and sleep, that's free time.


That's all I can add.

This may be the best post I have ever read.

 

[crazytrain]

Wrenching does not have to be loud. With hand tools only you should be able to do it at night and not wake the entire neighborhood.

You have to decide if you want to actually work on your car or just make excuses not to.

I wrench daily for a living and it can be fun at times or it can be a huge headache and pain in the ***. You only spent 2 grand on tools so far so unless you were just buying odd ball stuff because it was cheap, than you should have most of the basics covered. Those basics should work for you in any type of repair ( car, home, electronics and small appliances). I have over 2 grand in just my toolbox my tools range from Snap On, Matco, Milwaukee, Craftsman, Kobalt, Husky and even no name stuff. I have well over 15 grand in tools and still spend money every week on tools. I'm not saying you need to spend that much to work on cars, you can do a lot with the basics even if they did not cost you a mint and are made in the USA or not.

Just figure out if you really want to work on your car, get out there,dive in and have fun.

 

[thecody59]

Actually I just bought a laptop on craig's list that has all the manuals of cars up to 2009 it is what the shops use.

 

[creativecars]

People telling you what to do or what not to do is ridiculous without knowing what your skill set is. It sounds like you are not even sure what skills you have or what may come naturally.
I might suggest you start working on something that does not intimidate you or seem so daunting like a car, maybe try a golf cart or ridding lawnmower. Getting some experience wrenching is a good thing and it doesn't always have to be on a car.
Youtube and books are good to check out and sometimes will give you information on what NOT to do, but without experience it is difficult for the noobie to tell which videos are good and which are just plain stupid. Remember not everything you see on the internet is good or real.

Do a little research, break open the tool box and get dirty.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Just get your *** to doing the basic stuff.

I learned to work on stuff by helping Dad do work on the family cars. We were out there many weekends just trying to keep stuff running.

You can do a lot with a basic set of hand tools and a set of jackstands and a jack.

Learning diagnostics and electrical is the hard part. Fortunately you live in the era of youtube and online forums, so that is extremely helpful.

 

[kctyphoon]

do things at your own pace.. dont get deturred what people write on here.. personally, i think you joined the wrong forum (at least for this post) you should, if you havent already, join a forum for your particular car, and spend the time on THERE and learn about your car. the people there will be more willing to help you, and less likely to harass you. many of the people here are professional mechanics, and for some, this is just an opportunity to pick on someone.

 

[thecody59]

In have joined the forum for my car about a year ago I have got a lot of good info there I like it here as well I can take whatever you guys throw at me I am willing to listen.

 

[Tellingthem]

Just start doing something. Clean it, install a radio, whatever, just get started. It can seem awfully daunting when you are unsure of where to start. And if you screw it up it's only parts and money. Who cares? You can always buy another part, or another car.

As for money I try to keep my tool spending at zero cost to myself. The money I make selling tools I use to buy my own personal tools. So at the end of the day they don't cost me anything but my time (and I even try to factor that in my costs) But I like the game of buying and selling. I consider it all a fun hobby.

 

[JRC3]

 

[1950mercury]

Actually I just bought a laptop on craig's list that has all the manuals of cars up to 2009 it is what the shops use.

Waiste of money if u dont use it

 

[thecody59]

Didn't pay much

 

[thecody59]

Maybe I wlll try to fix a small part tonight and see how it goes I think I am scared that when I do try to fix it I am going to screw up and duck up my car.