Registering in an Automotive Mechanics program tomorrow

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 3:10 am

The course starts in September, 25 weeks long.

Maybe by the end of if Ill know how to not explode my car

scuzzy · Post by **scuzzy** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 3:21 am

best way to learn is to get a book and dive in.

Edit this to add about my newb learning experiences.

The first repair I ever did (on my own) was a narrow band unheated O2 sensor for a 91 camaro Z28

I changed O2 sensors before I changed oil.

then I went from that to spark plugs, then about the third or fourth repair I did was a heater core - and boy was that a bitch, but a serious learning experience.

hood lifts (fun)
wheel bearings
disc brakes
and probably a million other things since then - not to mention my engine swap, first time ever by myself.

You are your own best teacher, someone else doesn't hurt, but hands on experience is the best way to learn.

IronMonkeyL255 · Post by **IronMonkeyL255** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 3:40 am

One of the earliest things I worked on was a drivetrain swap into a friend's '96 Impreza. I was changing oil and basic maintenance before that, but that was my first major thing.

free5ty1e · Post by **free5ty1e** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 3:42 am

I'll second that. You can talk all day with someone about this sort of thing but you really won't get any experience until you get in there and just deux it.

Just be thankful you're starting out on a Subaru. I started on an OBD-II Saturn... much tougher to work with, especially for a beginner. Damn FWD transverse engines. I've never struggled so much to change a damn serpentine belt, or a water pump, or (good gawd never try this on a Saturn) an alternator... you damn near have to remove the engine to get at that one. And I have swapped engines on my old '92 Saturn (spun bearing on a junkyard car + junkyard engine from Hippy's Auto Salvage = $300 beater) - no amount of lecturing could have prepared me for that...

Subarus are very pleasant to work on IMO. Especially after the few *cough* Ford experiences I've had since then.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:11 am

Hey Im definitely not afraid to jump in and get dirty, hell, Im doing the 5MT swap this weekend

In the past Ive done an N/A coolant system swap, etc

But what you dont get screwing around on your own is the theoretical knowledge. And the ability to fix things without breaking them first.

free5ty1e · Post by **free5ty1e** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:38 pm

This is true, but you've got all the theoretical knowledge you want and virtually unlimited Subaru resources right here on LCO, free of charge

I'm sure the course will be informative though.

206er · Post by **206er** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:45 pm

subarus are definitely not one of the easier cars to work on, especially to learn to work on. the flat 4 just kind of lends itself to complication. of course, that is what makes the EJ the coolest 4 banger in teh world.
anyone here ever had time under the hood of a volvo or fullsize truck? too easy. volvos especially are designed to be worked on. good thing, huh.

free5ty1e · Post by **free5ty1e** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 5:02 pm

By that string of logic, you'd think that Fords would be the damned easiest vehicles to work on ever.

But that assumes that Ford designers follow some sort of logic and don't just toss engine components under the hood...

And I've found my Subaru very easy to work on, especially for regular maintenance items. It just seems as though it was designed to be serviced by the owner. I suppose LCO is to blame for my understanding of the boxer 4 though

AWD_addict · Post by **AWD_addict** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 6:13 pm

free5ty1e wrote:And I've found my Subaru very easy to work on, especially for regular maintenance items. It just seems as though it was designed to be serviced by the owner. I suppose LCO is to blame for my understanding of the boxer 4 though

Ever see your owner's manual? It has regular service stuff in it, things newer car manuals do not.
Newer cars are all about plastic covers over the engine and taking it to the dealer for oil changes.

free5ty1e · Post by **free5ty1e** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 6:26 pm

New vehicles are not designed to be serviced. They are designed to be disposable.

's why I'd never consider buying one. F that noise.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 6:59 pm

At the end of the course I could start an apprenticeship as well, if I should decide to go that route

LaureltheQueen · Post by **LaureltheQueen** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:06 pm

For People that don't have People around that know Nhat they'e doing, Sometimes an auto class is a very good option to gain the Knowledge to dive into repairs not only safely, but Confidently. l Took 2O credits of auto shop,and it has immensely aided me in not only theory of OE Systems,but understandingof aftermarket and Performance systems. l'd Suggest it wholeheartedly.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:09 pm

Woah, dude. What's up with your capitalization?

555BCTurbo · Post by **555BCTurbo** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:12 pm

I've just spent half of my life trying to work on stuff that was too hard, messing it up, and then fixing it...

And reading A LOT!!

And working at a wrecking yard, and now I am a heavy diesel mechanic in the summers, so I am essentially not afraid of working on anything

Going to auto school is a great idea Splinter, you get to learn the stuff before you mess it up and bust your knuckles

LaureltheQueen · Post by **LaureltheQueen** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:17 pm

vrg3 wrote:Woah, dude. What's up with your capitalization?

lol, sorry. l'm using a Nokia tablet thing for browsing, and it's too much work to go back and fix Capitalization.

There l go again!

free5ty1e · Post by **free5ty1e** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:17 pm

I don't think I'll ever stop busting up my knuckles. That seems to just go with auto work.

Laurel... got a twitchy Shift key? Maybe too much coffee today?

free5ty1e · Post by **free5ty1e** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:18 pm

Hmm.. your 1:17pm was quicker than my 1:17pm. Damn you and your ninja posting skillz.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:21 pm

Ooh, the Nokia 770 by any chance?

LaureltheQueen · Post by **LaureltheQueen** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:31 pm

That would be it.

lt's fucking sweet!

free5ty1e · Post by **free5ty1e** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:33 pm

Nice tablet. I wouldn't mind having one o' thems.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:40 pm

Those are so awesome.

Anyway, to return to the subject matter:

I think if you compare them to their closest competitors, Subarus are actually very easy to work on.

Splinter, I think this course will be a good chance not only to learn this stuff in a structured way, but to meet some people who you can work with in the future. The concept of an apprenticeship is compelling.

I'd be very curious to hear whether you actually get a good treatment of the fundamentals and theory. It seems like a lot of trained mechanics I meet don't have as good a grasp as I do, even though I completely lack formal exposure to mechanical repair.

LaureltheQueen · Post by **LaureltheQueen** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:49 pm

l've found that many mechanics don't quite Understand theory behind things very well, but most of them have little to no interest in the Performance aspect of cars, so don't really "need" to understand. l don't think that made any sense.

Yukonart · Post by **Yukonart** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 8:14 am

Like I told you over the weekend, S-Man. . . I'm glad to hear you're doing this!

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:54 pm

I've worked on lots of cars and Subarus are among the best. The few cars that are easier to work on (usually much older) are not as well engineered (sometimes requiring replacement of more parts than the original problem called for) and require work more often.

Ford sucks ass. My Mazda's bottom end is ford (2.3) and doing the oil filter takes over an hour. There's also a hole to access the oil filter from under the car without having to remove all the undershielding except the hole is about 4 inches from where the damn filter is necessitating the removal of said undershielding any-the-fuck-way! A hole saw will solve that, but you'd never see that kind of stupidity issue with a Subaru.

555BCTurbo · Post by **555BCTurbo** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:33 am

In my hierarchy of cars that are nice to work on...Subaru is second only to the Diesel Mercedes-Benzes, they are an absolute joy to work on.

Hardest to work on...BMW by far!!

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Registering in an Automotive Mechanics program tomorrow

Registering in an Automotive Mechanics program tomorrow