Where do I gain more knowledge of car repair?

[Threehz]

You need two things to learn everything there is to know about an E30:

1. E30
2. Internet

There are articles written to do just about every major and most of the minor jobs on an E30. Once you get under the car and start fucking with shit you will learn exponentially.

It's also good to have another person around who is at least semi-mechanically inclined, if only to reassure you.

Just do.

[razorcobra]

Fox Mustangs were my first 3 cars... easy to work on, cheap parts which are plentiful in junkyards, not a bad way to learn. If you are serious about working on cars for a living going to school is a pretty good option... if you just want to know more and enjoy the hobby, get to wrenching. The best learning is hands on, bleeding knuckle fun.

E30's are fairly simple, grab a couple books, or just read online, most everything has been covered by someone, somewhere online. Ask any questions here, but attempt it on your own, as I said earlier that will be the best way to learn.

So when I get my e30 I'll just mess with it then. I'm just afraid I'll total my car. And yeah I do want to work on cars when I'm older. Where do you think I should start after I graduate high school?

[brianao34]

A good resource that I have found recently is finding websites that have free study guides for getting ASE certified. Even if you don't want to get ASE certified the information is very technical and helpful. Very helpful information that gives you a full understanding of everything on a car and gives you a larger understanding of ALL cars not just one type.

I've been thinking of buying a study guide book here lately.

[Exodus_2pt0]

I've got a bunch of study books that I used to get my ASE's. Most weren't too hard, but the auto trans test took me 3 tries and a TON of studying.

^ Solid advice.

[razorcobra]

A good resource that I have found recently is finding websites that have free study guides for getting ASE certified. Even if you don't want to get ASE certified the information is very technical and helpful. Very helpful information that gives you a full understanding of everything on a car and gives you a larger understanding of ALL cars not just one type.

I've been thinking of buying a study guide book here lately.

As an aspiring mechanic, I should probably take it. I'll look around for some study guides. Thanks!

[brianao34]

Kind of off-topic but not really:
Don't I actually have to work in a shop to get my certification?

I'm a Mechanical Engineer but would like to have the cert just to learn more and to put on my resume.

[fronton]

As I near purchasing an e30 or something similar I was wondering where I could get hands on experience.

When you buy said car, put your hands on it. You can't learn to swim without getting in the water. I wanted to learn so I did an engine swap. Buy the best simple tools you can afford (wrenches, sockets, ratchets, power tools, jack). If you need odd, one-use tools, borrow from auto zone or a make some friends. Whenever you get under a car though, triple check that is is properly supported on quality jack stands, or a real ramp (not plywood on a cinderblock). Shake the car a bit before going under to make sure it is going nowhere when you start wailing on a subframe bolt with a sledge hammer.

[razorcobra]

When you buy said car, put your hands on it. You can't learn to swim without getting in the water. I wanted to learn so I did an engine swap. Buy the best simple tools you can afford (wrenches, sockets, ratchets, power tools, jack). If you need odd, one-use tools, borrow from auto zone or a make some friends. Whenever you get under a car though, triple check that is is properly supported on quality jack stands, or a real ramp (not plywood on a cinderblock). Shake the car a bit before going under to make sure it is going nowhere when you start wailing on a subframe bolt with a sledge hammer.

What brand of tools and jack should I get?

[Larzzz]

First of all if you want to be a mechanic you should be in the consumer automotive class at school! its all basic stuff but you leave school every friday to go to a shop!

[gwb72tii]

No school will specialize in older cars, but there are definitely schools for automotive mechanics you could attend. You probably have to be at least 18 though.

Honestly the best thing to do is buy a car (hopefully an e30) and just start doing maintenance. You'll learn a shit ton as you start to learn how to solve problems and do repairs.

you get it from your skinned knuckles and a repair manual.
seriously.
just dig in, especially on routine things like brakes/tune ups. if you're at all mechanically inclined older cars like e30's are actually pretty easy t work on.

[lambo]

make some friends :p

this this this

Honestly, meet up with some r3v members in your local area. I wouldn't have been able to do an emergency timing belt job a year ago if it weren't for helping my friend take the head of his M20 like 3 times...

[fronton]

What brand of tools and jack should I get?

Just avoid harbor freight and anything made in China and are you probably ok. I really like USA-made craftsman stuff and Snap On is always quality. If you go to sears you must look carefully at the tags. 90% of their craftsman is made in China, then the spendy stuff all locked up is USA made and far superior.

Always buy good tools once and you'll save endless money and heartache in the long run, plus you will enjoy them right away and can pass them down someday.

For a jack, you may not need a $250+ one right away but again, it is so much nicer to work with in the long run, and won't break within 3 months. Some get lucky with harbor freight $30-80 jacks but it is hit and miss.

I went with a low profile aluminum jack called "Big Red" at Pepboys for I think $150 or so and it has been flawless, just make sure to do the break in procedure as directed. usually you can get a couple jackstands bundled for maybe $30 more. I generally use heavy duty custom cut wood blocks under the frame rails along with the stand just to be overly cautious.

One tip is to buy tools as you need them, not 200 piece sets with a tons of adapters and sizes you will never use. Typically these are low quality sets anyway unless they cost $500+

To work on a european car you obviously need metric everything. For e30s you will need 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19mm wrenches (open and close end combo, ratcheting is a huge plus) and up to 17mm for almost everything. Then an oddball 22mm(?) socket for the steeringwheel nut, 32mm(?) for the crank bolt when doing a valve adjustment... buy as you go along. Also critical will be a set of metric allen keys from 2mm-16mm, sockets from 6mm-19mm, a huge hammer, 100 pack of latex gloves, 2' steel pipe scrap to use as a breaker bar, torque wrench if you like following directions, Vise Grips (brand name, big and tiny set), Channel locks, big and small phillips and flathead screw drivers, electrical tape, zip ties, can of PB blaster (use liberally on everything before attempting to unbolt), wire strippers, heat shrink tubing of all sizes...

[brianao34]

Just avoid harbor freight and anything made in China and are you probably ok.

Not entirely true. Check this thread for Acceptable and Unacceptable Harbor Freight Tools:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=279693

And I would suggest buying a box set. I have had the same Craftsman rachet/socket set in a plastic case since I started wrenching 9 years ago. It gets expensive if you try and buy them one by one. Just keep an eye on Sears' website.

They have a daily deal everyday and it's usually around 30-50% off stuff.

Also, Harbor Freight pretty much ALWAYS has a 20% off coupon you can print off websites like Dealigg.com (awesome site for looking up deals)

[brianao34]

Also, if you need a specialty tool ask anyone on R3V. I'm sure many of us have acquired many specialty tools and wouldn't mind lending them out.

[Gary Horneck]

Buy an E30, follow the Bentley manual step by step, and you won't total a thing.