How do I teach myself to fix cars from scratch?

[treegle]

I am a complete idiot when it comes to fixing cars. I can change a tyre, change a battery and fill my oil, petrol and coolant, but that's about it.
I have always wished i could be a bit more savvy about the mechanics of cars (and to be able to save myself a few quid rather than being ripped of by garages).
Besides enrolling on a car mechanic course, would you suggest, or give any further tips on buying an old crap car and a Haynes manual and just bodging around with it?

[Spencer D]

The best books I have found one learning how car systems work and how to service them are the "Today's Technician" series of books. These should come in a two book set (classroom, and shop). These books cover how things work in great detail and the shop manual will cover tools needed and repair diagnostic and procedures. And of course there is no replacement for hands on experience even if you just take something apart and then put it together again or try to find out whats wrong with it and/or how it works. Also on specific jobs always use a repair manual that covers specifics for your vehicle.

[DILLIGAF]

Start reading the Wikipedia. Tons of good info there. Just search in it. Cars are pretty basic, they all works the "same". The systems or they way are build, that is where the differences are. All have Pistons (except for Mazda Wankel Engines), they use some kind of fuel, Diesel or Gasoline. The systems are managed by a computer.

Is hard to teach automotives here. Some people becomes experts on some cars manufacturers since they can get complicated on their systems and takes a while to learn how they were build. It just the details that kills most all of us.

Tools are other issue. A lot of cars now days requires special tools. They are expensive to buy, but if you are not a mechanic that uses the tool often, is worthless to buy it for one use only. It cost less to let a mechanic to do it for you.

You have to balance, what kinds of repairs you want to do and how often you will do it. Most cars now days, they are close to Zero maintenance. All is required is check fluids and service them. Another system is modular, nobody works on transmissions. They are replaced as a whole. Is easier to fix it that way, "cost" less since you do not have to have a specialized tranny shop with tools, is a quicker turn around time and is pretty much a flat charge since you are buying a new one with out the surprises and pay extra for labor on fixing the old one and longer waits due to parts shipments. Same goes with engines.

Hope this helps.

[maca]

iwould suggest you try the mechanics course

[Rod S]

I recon you could walk straight into a job at my local garage!

[alex]

Take apart small engines (lawnmower and such) and identify each part, put it back together and see if it runs, hang around a mechanic, if someone is doing something to their car (fixing, rebuilding, etc) ask if you can watch and maybe help a little, don't be afraid to ask questions, buy books on the subject(community college bookstores are great but expensive) That's the way i did it.

[cunning linguist]

The easiest way would be to get hold of an old banger for
next to nothing and use that to experiment on.Most of the
modern cars today are untouchable because they are
computer controlled and you are limited to what you can do
engine wise,but there are other parts of the car you can play around with.