Who really knows about cars?

I know how to earn the money to pay somebody else to do it.

Washing and polishing are about as hands on as I get these days.
 
I know a fair bit, have a bit of practical experience of spannering but obviously nowhere near that of a pro. I'll do most jobs that don't involve crawling on the floor like an animal. I've done it, and decided I won't bother getting under a car on stands again, it's claustrophobic, dangerous and you are limited with what youy can do anyway. Generally the bolts underneath are rusted and ultra tight, need a big-daddy breaker bar to loosen and you can't fit one of those under a car on stands anyway. There's a lot to be said for a 2-poster and a big chest full of Snap-on, not to mention helpers.

As for understanding, I can understand the parts on a car but not at an advanced level.
 
Im actually quite new to this kinda stuff... and your correct in sayin learning would be good with a wee project! Hands on is the best way to learn... well for me it is :)

Before this year i had only done the basics... brake pads, filters (oil, fuel, etc, etc), bulbs lol!

But now im running a lesser car, i dont mind gettin my hands dirty and trying what needs done!

Since feb/march i have managed to do lots first time and on my own! Things like the entire exhaust system (off and another back in), replaced the camshaft cover gasket, radiator, clutch slave clynder, thermostat, lamba sensor (part of my exhaust) and the MAF :)

For most cars there are sites with people who have done the work before, very handy for people like me and people who want to start trying things themself! :D
 
I know enough to get by :)
Never paid a garage bill (other than tyres/tracking and MOT) in my life!
 
I know how engines work, what components do etc. I also know how different specifics affect different cars, and all that.

But ask me to do anything mechanical and I'm stuffed.
 
Ive done just about everything you would need to as a home mechanic apart from rebuild/build up a short block mechanically.

Electrics are just a PITA and fortunatly ive not had to learn any yet.
 
I think its worth saying also, before I bought my current car at the beginning of january I had next to no mechanical experience on cars. Sure i knew how engines worked etc, but I'd never done anything to any cars. When I grew up I was always fixing my own bikes, and other things so I know how to use a spanner.

The first job I tackled was an exhaust change. not in any way difficult
The next job I did was a gearbox change, that was a bit harder but still not difficult.

If you just take things slowly and read up a bit about it before you attempt anything then you'll be fine.

I now feel comfortable doing any jobs on the car really, such as gearboxes, driveshafts, suspension, brakes, clutch changes, coolant flushing and bleeding. Only things I'm not comfortable doing a few things like fiddling with torsion bars. I'm not sure on doing any internal engine work as I've not had the chance yet, but I'm sure it would be fairly straight forward, with the necessary tools and knowledge.

I am now eyeing up an engine conversion in a few months time, which should be fairly straight forward. :p

Theres nothing like getting stuck into it, sure read about things on the internet, but theres no substitute for getting in there. I am pretty lucky as I have a lot of garage space to work in, and quite a few tools.

But if you are really keen on learning more about cars just buy an old banger and do some bits and bobs on it. Take bits to pieces, clean them and put them back together again etc.
 
With my dad having his own business and garage with his brother for about 37 years, well, up until about two years ago when he retired, and me working for him for a few years, I could pretty much do most stuff. Probably could strip a motor down to it's bare parts and rebuild it if I had to. Take me a while probably though! I can do some electrics (although I wouldn't even attempt to find an electrical fault on a modern car without a diagnostic unit). Can do bodywork also. :)
 
I cant do wiring, I've never had the patience, I also dont go in much for repairing components, if they are broken, they get replaced or sent off to be fixed.

I'm no good at bodywork either.

Other than that :)

I prefer working on motorbikes as well, I actually dont mind doing it, as opposed to finding every second I'm sorting a car/Van out a complete god awful chore.
 
Last edited:
I know nothing. Never even done an oil change, though I imagine I might just be able to manage that. However, paying my cousin a tenner to do it, with me supplying, seems very reasonable to me :p
 
Can do electrics fairly easily as i'm qualified in that field but usually leave the mechanics to people who know how. Do the basics like topping up washer, coolant, wiper blades, changing oil and sparks when i have a petrol but thats about it.
 
Know a bit- qualified mechanic, MOT tester and qualified parts advisor!
Only ever worked in the motor trade, first as a mechanic (I mean mechanic- proper fixing, not technician) 4 years in a bodyshop and 10 years in parts.


Spent years modding my own stuff, spent soo much time modding/maintaing mates track cars (RST, Cossie). Had to help a mate with his supercharged 205 on the way home ast night lol.
Do all my own work, from rebuilds/tuning, to bodywork, although don't have access to spray facilities anymore. Finding time is harder these days, must be an age thing.

Know as "technical Guru" on another forum lol!!

So manage to scrape by.

It's like knowing about pc's everyone has one and if you know a bit everyone thinks you can nip round and have a look at it, sometimes I wish I'd chose a different career.....
 
Last edited:
i know more than enough to be able to fit a 1.4 16v stilo engine into a 1.1 8v cinquecento engine bay and make it work. i understand how most parts of most cars work, and if i don't then i'll take it apart to learn. i'm not scared of electronics, or onboard computers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom