Level of expertise doing auto repairs

[dlcwent]

Most of us do some work on our vehicles. Where do you fall in?

 

[sometoyotaguy]

I've done an engine rebuild in the back yard. I guess you could call that advanced.

There isn't much I won't attempt, but not having a garage *****.

 

[MushCreek]

I have to qualify my vote. It is 'high' on vehicles older than 1974; 'medium' on newer stuff.

 

[christopher7390]

I've done an engine rebuild in the back yard. I guess you could call that advanced.

There isn't much I won't attempt, but not having a garage *****.

I'm with you buddy. Blows.

 

[four.cycle]

I try to avoid working on automobiles whenever possible. Lacking any other possible options, I can somehow manage to muddle through in spite of myself.

 

[FigureItOut]

I can swap parts confidently if I have definite diagnosis. I have and use a code reader, do maintenance like ****** flush etc. I can add anything electrically and can repair things that are clearly "broken", but I cannot diagnose anything at all without some time on the internet. I own and use both a Chilton and Haynes for each vehicle. If my research doesn't point to a fairly certain diagnosis, it's off to the shop.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Im no longer employed as a wrench, but I did make a living at it, so I voted " high "

The only thing I dont enjoy doing are dashes/airbags/heater cores/evaporaters. Id ALMOST like to pay someone to do it. But Im too cheap, so I hit it in the head and get it done.

Im retired now, and flip garbage. Ive amassed a tool and equipment collection, that would make almost any small Indy garage owner blush.

At one point, I owned a 6 bay garage for a little over a decade, Ive worked in a body shop ( as a mechanic/bodyman and painter ), and Indy shop, a fleet garage, several parts businesses. Ive been the diagnostic/driveability/emissions and electrical guy for the most part.

This last year I added a ben pearson exhaust tubing bender ( just wanted one to play with ), coats 4050 for junk rims/tires ( mostly ag ), a coats 5065 rim clamp, and a coats 7000 balancer to my home shop.

Ive got commercial paint booth coming in the spring, because I enjoy painting.

So Im not a pro, but do allot of transmission, axle and transfer case work, so Im in pretty deep for not running a business.

 

[lametec]

I do everything short of windshield replacement.

 

[countryroad82]

I rated myself at professional as I do get paid to work on people's junk. When it comes to mechanical though on my own ****, it depends on time. A few months ago I did something I've never done before, I took the wife's car to a shop.... Lemme explain, I was covered up, I had a 3 month back log and the phone kept ringing. She had a horrible noise coming from her car. I had been loosing sleep trying to stay caught up. So I bit the bullet and called a buddy that owns a shop and had him look at it. Turned out to be just a wheel bearing but I hated having someone else work on my junk for me, that's never happened before!

 

[steveo3002]

voted high , will do as much as i can , dont mind buying tools etc

 

[Ponchoguy]

Voted high. I try to do everything myself/with the help of friends to get it done. I have two DD's, so I use one if the other is down for some reason. I only bring it back to the dealer when it's under warranty and won't cost me anything (you're paying for that warranty, why not use it).

 

[Rubiman14]

I voted professional, although I'm not collecting paychecks at a shop. Went to UNOH for high performance tech, but immediately enrolled into engineering school after graduating there. These days I'm an engineer for an aftermarket performance parts manufacture. Handle the majority of R&D builds and machine design. I run my own gig after hours doing everything from building race cars, engines, Jeeps, down to brake jobs.

 

[Askme42]

I voted medium but I would say I sit somewhere between medium and high. Diagnoses is not my strong suit. If I know what to fix though I can usually get it done.

 

[pepgj]

Hard to answer. I won't touch anything built after 1971 or so, but then practically everything I've ever had was 1969-1970.

Having some means anymore (more due to getting older, not being particularly rich), my theory for years has been to have at least one late model car for the wife that I don't touch. I really hate working on cars with any schedule pressure at all.

I'm not a particularly super good mechanic, but can muddle through. It isn't like you can drop off a car to have the 3310 Holley rebuilt or valve lash set. They'd probably just crack a Ford valve cover (if I had yet another Mustang) anyhow.

 

[GettinJunkDone]

Rebuilt a few engines, done a few timing chains. But my comfort levels lies with what I know the most about, the OBDI ford 302. Voted high, only because of the description of each option, but I have a lot to learn about diagnosis. My weak point would have to engine management systems.

Nice poll.

 

[1990 Grand Wag]

Rated myself as high due to the fact that I have a Grand Wagoneer and J20 truck that I wrench on (hobby), but I learned on logging and heavy construction equipment loooooooooooooooooooooooooong ago when kids could actually go and work with their dads/grand-dads and not worry about OSHA (or getting run over).

 

[egnorant]

I grew up on Mustangs and no money so I learned how. Rebuilt engines, transmissions, rear ends, wiring, AC etc. Not scared of the new stuff either. Got engine control electronics pretty much, but ABS/traction control stuff just has never come up.

Last month was a head gasket, new exhaust system, computer reflash for the Mazda, body work on the 96 Mustang and a bit of convertible top stuff. The guy at the shop I use for some stuff I don't have equipment for often lets me go back to press my own bearings or cut a brake drum.

Bruce

 

[RRmech]

LOL.....once my son opened up his own shop, I 'retired' from wrenching on my own cars.

Steve

 

[Gone Boating]

I've done a lot - ripping apart engines, trans swap on a Camaro I owned, etc. I've also done a handful of paint jobs with friends that know more than I.

 

[sometoyotaguy]

I rated myself at professional as I do get paid to work on people's junk. When it comes to mechanical though on my own ****, it depends on time. A few months ago I did something I've never done before, I took the wife's car to a shop.... Lemme explain, I was covered up, I had a 3 month back log and the phone kept ringing. She had a horrible noise coming from her car. I had been loosing sleep trying to stay caught up. So I bit the bullet and called a buddy that owns a shop and had him look at it. Turned out to be just a wheel bearing but I hated having someone else work on my junk for me, that's never happened before!

Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. There's no shame in farming something out when you know it's a safety issue, and you can't deal with it right now.

 

[ddawg16]

Click on the jeep build link in my signature......I'm no Etec.......but I can usually hold my own.

don't want to do it for a living.....

 

[Mike777]

I selected high based on the question wording. Though in recent years the only work I do on our daily drivers fits the light & medium answers, but high for my project car ('71 911T) when I do work on it - which isn't often enough.

 

[zkling]

High, with that said, I don't do tires, A/C or painting due to lack of machines.

 

[Stooge]

I don't see the option for "Capable, but also lazy... but also poor'

I like working on cars, and especially project cars, but there are some jobs I just don't enjoy doing so when people ask me if I can do something for them and its one of those things, I generally turn it down. if its my personal vehicle, and isn't a transmission issue, I will generally take on whatever because im fairly confident/ competent, but more importantly, very cheap.

 

[martin666]

Voted professional, I work on Harley Davidsons, started in my uncles shop on the weekends back in 1969.since then I've worked for others and owned my own shops. Prefer to work on pre 1984 models, will work on newer but the older ones are my passion. Did the automotive dealer thing for awhile back in the late 70's after the Marine Corps ( Cadillac, Ford, Toyota ) but couldn't stand it, been 2 wheels every since

 

[rodsnratfinks]

I voted Pro because I worked as a tech for several years, but I probably should have said High, since there's not a lot of overlap. The ability to fix just about anything and the ability to repair cars in a production environment are two distinctly different skills, though not mutually exclusive. I fall into the first category. I've seen/worked with several techs who were good at their job who only had a rudimentary understanding of the working principles behind the vehicles we repaired.
Meanwhile, when I worked on passenger cars and light trucks, I was admittedly too much of a perfectionist to turn in impressive numbers. Though my comebacks were low and my production was reasonable, my abilities didn't align with the shop owner's goals (high production, more comebacks acceptable).

Anyway, I am comfortable working on everything except transmission overhauls and paint. I've never had a need to spray a car, but I've done some auto body, glass (professionally), A/C (also professionally), smog, and even some interior/upholstery work. I've never had an opportunity to overhaul a transmission, but I know my way around them pretty well and would like to get the tools and do it sometime.

 

[dlcwent]

I don't see the option for "Capable, but also lazy... but also poor'

I like working on cars, and especially project cars, but there are some jobs I just don't enjoy doing so when people ask me if I can do something for them and its one of those things, I generally turn it down. if its my personal vehicle, and isn't a transmission issue, I will generally take on whatever because im fairly confident/ competent, but more importantly, very cheap.

Not sure I can add that option Stooge, but I've seen your work, you are professional without the full time position.

 

[M-EGT]

Voted medium. As I've done brakes, suspension, belts, hoses, gaskets and the like. The biggest job I've done was an intake manifold gasket, that was with a buddy though.
Havent don't a clutch or headgasket yet though, or any brake lines, fuel lines or anything like that.

 

[TNToy]

I have to qualify my vote. It is 'high' on vehicles older than 1974; 'medium' on newer stuff.

Ahh. My counterpart.

If it isn't EFI and it isn't equipped with OBD II? No thank you, take that to someone who works on those carbureted dinosaurs.

 

[exranger06]

I voted high. I do just about everything except for bodywork (I would like to learn someday), internal transmission work, and internal engine work (never had to open them up before, but I wouldn't really be afraid to try).

 

[Kenskip1]

Back in the days of my yute back in the 70's I would do a timing chain on Pontiacs at the drop of an eye. I Put points and condenser set the timing by ear and adjust the carburetor with a vacuum guage.I have put in hundred of clutches in lying in the dirt.Brakes exhaust systems.However,, I will now change the oil and brakes and that is about all.I am a dinosaur and am aware of it.Fuel injection is great as well as computers as long as they work.However I still have most of my tools.

 

[PatStroud]

Interesting poll ……… Hard for me to categorize myself – started out as a teenager messing with my own car back in the 70’s and not know a damn thing. Got into the Navy and was designated to assault boats as an engineman (diesel mechanic). After the service I worked for Sears Automotive while going to college and got into just about every service they offered ( tires, batteries, exhaust, brakes, alignment) and somehow ended up on the supervision side. Left Sears and went on to manage a municipal fleet maintenance operation for 32 years. So can I – yep all of it. Do I - Nope! ….. (might have to change that though process next year when I retire though – lol)…. But for now I’ll pick Never.

 

[619DioFan]

I voted high. I have worked in shops before ( 1 buick dealership and 3 chain type ) I will tackle most anything but try and stay away from under the dash as I am 6'4'' and 270. I left automotive and returned to the moving and storage industry ( my first career ) been back in the moving industry now for over 12 years. I find my size better suited for this than working on cars ( make more money as well )

 

[Mopar-Scooby-Doo]

I voted high because I have done clutches, trimming chains, ball joints and plenty other. I do all I can. Even though money is tight and I don't have a garage. I'm not afraid to learn. Besides if you mess up hopefully you can learn from it and it won't cost you too much more the second time.

 

[Shootingblanks]

I voted high as I have done pretty much everything automotive related with exception of transmission rebuild, paint and windshield. Helped friends rebuild frame up restorations and watched them apply the paint.

Had and built several fast cars (83' Mustang GT, 93' Firebird Formula LT1 and 06' Topbanana Charger). Done some body and suspension lift kits.

Since age 16 never had a vehicle of mine in a shop with exception of 2004 Jeep Limited Grand Cherokee that had shocks that went bad that were under warranty.

This year alone I did 3 timing belts/waterpumps (Honda, Suburu and Toyota), timing chains and cam phasers on an 06 Ford F150 5.4L 3V, several brake jobs, few suspensions, few fuel line and brake line jobs on the side. Also installed an LED headlight and foglight kit on a 2014 Ford Focus.

At age 42 enjoy knowing older systems based on points, carburetor and older tractors. I was probably 12-14 when I washed parts for my grandfather when he rebuilt my fathers Ford 860. Tractor was sold last year when my father passed and it was not up and running for 5-7 years because of my father's health. I enjoyed bringing the tractor back to life and selling it for my mother.

 

[Murphy4570]

Professional. Was a full-time auto mechanic/technician for about 8 years. Work as an industrial mechanic now. I have the tools, training, and knowledge to fix damn near anything on light and medium duty automobiles. I never really dabbled with diesels though, besides basic theory and operations.

 

[BigEarn86]

I can swap parts confidently if I have definite diagnosis. I have and use a code reader, do maintenance like ****** flush etc. I can add anything electrically and can repair things that are clearly "broken", but I cannot diagnose anything at all without some time on the internet. I own and use both a Chilton and Haynes for each vehicle. If my research doesn't point to a fairly certain diagnosis, it's off to the shop.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

I'm with figureitout, try as I may if I can't "figure it out"... off to the shop. I buy most parts from the dealer/online as I like OEM. Wife's car (2001 Celica) currently has P1440 code that I don't think I can solve without a smoke machine. I replaced all vacuum lines, the canister, two solenoids, and fuel cap, light still comes on! I would feel comfortable up to swapping heads, etc.

 

[cdaiscool]

I voted medium, because I don't touch engine rebuilds.

I've done everything to my toy aside from the engine and trans rebuild, including suspension refresh, upgraded fuel, brake lines, wiring, turbo install, etc.

But at the end of the day, I tell everyone I'm just installing big-boy legos and bolting stuff together.

 

[SkinnyG]

Pro, although I don't do it for a living anymore. Have you ever heard the phrase, "make your hobby your job and you'll never have to work again..." ? Well for me it was more like "make your hobby your job and you'll never have a hobby again." After many years at a dealership and several more years at performance shops, I found that I didn't really enjoy the work anymore. A degree in corporate finance later and I'm at least entertained by my work, and I can go out after work if I want to without having to take a shower first.

 

[bobcatdan]

I didn't know the best way to vote, but voted professional since I'm still a mechanic, just not on cars. If this was 2005, then I'd say Ford Master and ASE master. I left auto for equipment so those certs have lapsed I know some technology has passed me by in the auto. Strangely fixing equipment on the side has brought me back into the auto world.