Working on your cars

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RacecarBMW

RacecarBMW

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RacecarBMW
How many of you work on your own cars? Do you do the maintenance and any repairs or do you send it to your mechanic?

This question came to my mind when I was browsing a BMW M3 forum and I noticed a lot of the members were very comfortable working on their cars. I was looking at many threads about certain issues with the car and how the users fixed these issues, the pictures seemed like a lot of work and experience was needed. This brings me to my next point. I could never ever take my engine apart. Before you get the wrong idea, I can do the basics, change oil/spark plugs, I know a good portion of terminology but the actual process of taking the engine apart or other part of the car and fixing up any problems is way above my skill level and I probably wouldn't even do it to my M3 even if I got paid.

So... after that winding bunched up paragraph my main question is what can I do to increase my knwoledge and hopefully someday be able to fully work on my car. I'm too scared to go to deep into my car and possible ruin something. How did you guys start working on your cars (or if you plan to how will you) are there any good books or guides?

Any tips or information are welcome.
 
^I'm in the same boat as him...
 
I guess the bast thing is to start with reading and understanding how everything works and goes together, but experience is a big part of it. If you really want to work on your own car, I would suggest gettin a beater and testing on that before doing anything on your own car. Also, you have to consider if it is worth your time/money/enjoyment and if it would be a better option to just take it to a mechanic. I don't have much experience myself working on cars, but when I settle down (long time from now) and have more time I could probably take on doing these things, but until then, I think it's a better option to leave that to the professionals who earn a living working on the car.
 
Once you realize that everything is pretty simple, you will be like OH I GET IT. Note, the concept is easy to understand, but labor can get intensive sometimes. Experience is key. I don't know everything, but I know more than most kids my age. Right now I'm in a class and cam in with a lot of prior experience outside of school. By next year I'll be a qualified and registered automotive technician in NYS when I graduate, ready for the work force right out of high school. We are required to shadow at a local shop to graduate and more than likely will end up getting a good paying job out of schhool. I lm pretty much guaranteed a job. I enjoy working on cars between fixing stuff and high performance in general. I find it entertaining though sometimes it can really make me mad.
 
There is A LOT to remember.
 
Time, patience, and experience are all key. Do you want to spend your whole weekend working on your car, or would you rather dump it off at a shop, and pick it up the next day? Personally, I hate laying underneath my car and saying "oh 🤬, how does this go back together again?" or "I sure hope I don't need that part I just broke off" :lol:
 
Mostly just patience and attention to detail. There is something enjoyable about understanding how it all works and fixing it yourself.

That said, I rarely do extensive work on my own car. Why? Mostly lack the proper tools and space to do it.
 
Step one: Buy a shop manual.

I started by working off of problems that need to be fixed.

For instance with <-- that car, when the brakes fried, I popped out my shop manual and wallet to rebuild the drums in the back and convert the front to disc brakes. There are manuals and step by step guides on the internet for every modification and repair you'll ever need.

In your case, don't be at all afraid. I'm not a prodigy and I'm yet to screw up my work in such a way that required a trip to a shop or anything of the sort.

Honestly, the lesson you should get from me is that "If he can do it, so can I." It really isn't as much of a challenge as it may seem.
 
I always wonder how 'Ed' the mechanic from Wheeler Dealers knows everything about everything. :confused:
 
Schwartz38
I always wonder how 'Ed' the mechanic from Wheeler Dealers knows everything about everything. :confused:
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Ed China, that man's a genious isn't he?! You have to wonder if there's anything about cars he doesn't know. Lesser known fact on Ed; He makes all the crazy cars on Top Gear such as when they had double decker cars, pedals on the lower car steering on top etc. As far as i'm concerned he should replace Hammond or May!

Anyway, to the topic. I do as much of my own mechanical work as possible such as filters, plugs, electrics etc but the one thing that worries me is the lack of garage stamps. When it comes to re-sale will i struggle to sell without a fully stamped history? As for larger jobs, i'll always take it to the garage but that's just because i don't have the skill or tools required!
 
XPOWER180
As far as i'm concerned he should replace Hammond or May!
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You sir, are you insane?!

Nobody should replace either Hammond or 'Captain Slow'...! :p
 
I'd prefer James to stay but Ed is such a character. Should Richard or James ever leave of their own doing then Ed should be top of the list to fill in the gap!
 
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I do all my own work and always have. As much as I complain in the process I do enjoy it, especially extensive work.

Only time I take it to a workshop (a friends workshop) is when I don't have the specialised equipment (wheel alignment, injector flow testing, machine shop etc).


But yeah, as mentioned above if you want to delve into working on your own car the best way to start is buy a workshop manual, it helps a great deal especially when it comes to specifications.

XPOWER180
Anyway, to the topic. I do as much of my own mechanical work as possible such as filters, plugs, electrics etc but the one thing that worries me is the lack of garage stamps. When it comes to re-sale will i struggle to sell without a fully stamped history? As for larger jobs, i'll always take it to the garage but that's just because i don't have the skill or tools required!
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Keep all your receipts of service parts you have purchased (they're dated) along with taking your own record of when and what milage you serviced/repaired the car, show them at the time of sale. I never have a problem this way.
 
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Yeah, i've basicly done that so hopefuly any new buyer (with an ounce of sence) will realise all is ok!
 
How do I get better at ______?
Start doing _____.

Good luck. Usually, when I do something on a car I haven't done before, it takes forever. The second time you do it, it will take 1/2 the time.
 
bottoz
usually, when i do something on a car i haven't done before, it takes forever. The second time you do it, it will take 1/2 the time.
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+1
 
Ok so like most suggestion I'm planning on getting a shop manual.

I took a look at the Haynes selection and they don't have anything for the M3 only the 3 series.

I also did a google search and found this , now it is quite pricey but if you guys think its worth it I will definitely get it.

Any other feedback on other shop manuals and also what are your favourite shop manuals? Even if they don't have the M3. I want to know this because I might get a beater car next year and start working seriously on that.

Thanks a lot for the suggestions everyone.
 
We very rarely send our car to a garage, unless it's a friend of ours or we're just feeling lazy. My dad does a lot of his own mechanic work, so as a kid I used to help him out and learn from there. I'm only 14 so I've still got a lot to learn, so the only kinda decent thing I can do is fix a blowing exhaust and a broken wheel bearing. Obviously I can do the basics too. But like most people have said, manuals might be the best option. Or simply surfing around Google, or watching tutorials on YouTube or something. Do you have any friends that are mechanics, or relatives? You could always ask them for help.
 
I used to daily an old Corolla and didn't want to spend money.. Some trial and error, but that's s given. I'd rip it apart with a buddy with more experience, off with gear boxes, brakes etc. Now I daily a newer car, I had it at my dealer for a gear oil change in November, first time in some years I've paid someone to do something. I like working on em :) but my daily needs to work 365 days a year and I prefer it working properly.. :) taking apart engines, well, the day I have to, I will.. :) it's always good to have someone with you with some experience on the point the first time.. Helps a lot, less stuff broken..
 
RacecarBMW
Ok so like most suggestion I'm planning on getting a shop manual.

I took a look at the Haynes selection and they don't have anything for the M3 only the 3 series. .
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From what I recall, the 3 series manual should include the M3; seems to be the case with the E36 at least.
 
My best friend happens to me a Master Subaru Tech so I watch and help with everything that is done on my car, in fact within a month or two we will be adding about 200whp to my wagon. Which will include a stroker kit and a fat turbo plus all that goes with it. I did my homework before I bought my Subarus so I have the understanding but no hands on, which I'm now doing. So make friends with your mechanic I guess?
 
I do everything by myself /w friend(s). You just have to remember you can't do basically anything without tools. I found out that while I was 100 miles from home for a few months. Also I sometimes imagine myself in a situation where I don't have MIG welder or propane torch, angle grinder, various hammers, special tools etc. That would be hard, especiialy while working on old cars like mine.
 
I do everything on my cars. No better way to spend a Sunday after noon than in the garage with some beers, buds, and good music.

Not to mention you save a ton of money as well. My last car was a BMW M Roadster, I probably saved $10k in maintenence costs over 3 years by not taking it a dealer once.
 
You get a good feeling fixing your own car. Whether it's a big job or not, feels good man. I was a bit hesitant to mess around with mine, but I like to get stuck in now. And of course like people have said, you save a good deal of money 👍
 
My car has a 100,000 mile maintenance plan that covers everything but tires and excessively worn brakes. I'll just let the dealership deal with all of that stuff since I have no desire to work on a car that has zero free space under the hood. I did fix the damage from the unexpected concrete that connected with the lower airdam. Dealer wanted some insane price, I fixed it for about $100.

The Neon though, I work with another guy and we do all the work on it. The newer, bigger engine has been swapped in and anything else that needs to be done will be done ourselves too. We even get most parts off cars at the junkyard too.
 
Bentley Service Manuals is where it's at, those little paper books you get at an autoparts store have nothing on the Bentley ones. I just really wished they had one for my car, but it's still too new. The Ford one is really expensive.
 
DKLion3s
Chiltons may be even better, cost a bit more though. Haynes is a pretty decent starter.

DK ...
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Chilton guides are great. Lots of "exploded" view illustrations that Haynes doesn't have. I thought they went out of business, though.
 
Wasn't aware of any out-of-business status???

They aren't on the shelves like they once were, but can be purchased through some reputable sites, though. If one is really needed.

Eg. Chiltons manuals

Yeah, they are wonderful, for even the beginner DIY automotive enthusiasts. Great product, been using them for almost 30+ yrs now.

DK.
 
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