Help getting started fixing my cars.

[AnEv942]

I really want to do it on my own if i can here is the pic.

What are we looking at? the heat shield-heater stove....
The exhaust rusted out..all the way to the exhaust manifold? I thought you were taking about the tubing /muffler etc....

 

[thecody59]

The whole thing need to be replaced all bad i am replacing it with a $800 dollar exhaust system comes with everything i need so i am removing the whole old system. I got quoted over $800 at a auto shop with a cheap setup or my cousin will do it for about $300 .

 

[uart]

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 single 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.

Well the good news is that once you start actually using your tools, the pet hair will fall straight off them.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=282490

 

[Shootingblanks]

Posting pictures of an exhaust manifold will not bring you any closer to removing the defective part. Seems like you have no sense of direction, planning or motivation. Go to your local library and you can check out several repair manuals and educate yourself on how to properly repair vehicles. Most libraries have entire sections dedicated to this topic. Hell you can even access repair manuals online, subribe to Alldata or even purchase repair manuals online from the manufacturers.

Reading about it and actually doing it is a completely different thing. Nothing is more valuable than experience.

I started my tool collection at the age of 15 around the time I started working on cars and helping a friend's brother in law fix and sell cars on the side. Despite going to an accredited University and obtaining two degrees, I'm a business professional who still turns wrenches on the weekend for fun. However, fun gets old after a while, when your busy with a career, family and children. Few weeks ago I repaired a 2005 F-150 four wheel drive system for my brother's buddy who is on the same police force. It was misdiagnosed by a repair shop with a problem that is common knowledge with those systems. However, I had gratification of repairing it despite my garage being slightly colder than normal.

I have been driving for almost three decades and have never had a vehicle in a repair shop. I have always performed my own repairs and have even restored and built up a few muscle cars. I've pulled and installed several motors, transmissions, clutches, cams, heads, timing belts, timing chains, brakes, brake lines, fuel pumps, etc.

Word of mouth gets around if you are knowledgable and you eventually end up doing work on family and their friends vehicles. The money I have saved repairing my own vehicles and the money I have made repairing other's on the side, I have invested in specialty tools in order to save time for that trip to rent them.

Point is you gain knowledge and experience by actually doing the repairs.

Have you even removed the exhaust system or tried to see if you can gain access to the manifold bolts? Do you own a socket cap to try on it?

 

[bobbycos]

Join a RX7 forum

There you will find members who can show you the way to get started and if need be, can do the job for you at a great price

I know this from experience

 

[TOOLFREEQ]

Start learning as much about rotaries as possible. Its WAY different maintaining them and keeping them running good compared to a piston engine. The best web site out there IMO http://www.rx8club.com/

 

[toolman9w]

I don't want to be rude either. But if you need motivation at 19 to work on a project, your in trouble. The old man always said "son what are you doing while your sleeping?"
Another told me "that's why they makes lights, for when Gods light went out for the night". Those tid bits helped me out all through life. And if you want to be successful, you have to work at least half a day, the first 12 hours or the second your choice.

 

[thecody59]

I have been on the rx7club forum for over a year. I have started working on my car i have done the spark plugs and wires with the rotor and cap and i have started replacing my hoses as well. I plan on doing my brakes next weekend.

 

[VoodooCLD]

Is there nothing actually broken on the car? All gauges, locks, windows, etc. work well?
When i get a new project i find all the parts that need work and make a list. Then i put them in order of priority. Get it running and driving first. Once the engine runs, the transmision shifts, and the brakes stop you, then move onto the smaller things. Make sure the fuel gauge works, the locks work, the radio works. Etc. When you find something you want to work on. Get on the internet and find out how people are going about it. Read everything you can about switching out brake lines, bench bleeding the master cylinder, bleeding the lines, etc.. Once you have a good idea of the whole process, then you'll know where to start.

 

[thecody59]

Yes everything is good and the car runs well just little things here and there all except the exhaust system which needs to be replaced.

 

[mopar01]

Just read through most of this thread. Fix it or sell it. I used to have 5 trucks. Insurance, tags, parts. It all adds up. If you dont have the get up to fix the stuff you own sell it.