Increase mechanical knowledge!

vinruane

Hey guys,

just wondering if anyone knows if there are any courses for the average joe soap to learn the fundamentals of how engines operate. Would like to know some of the basics and be able to fix basic problems etc.

Not even sure if there are any courses like this but just thought I'd check. I'm in the Galway area if that helps.

Thanks for your help on this

Owen

Try checking out some free websites first. I find sites like howstuffworks is brilliant for explaining to inexperienced people how engines work. Then once you've digested what's there, go to a simple car maintenance, or bike maintenance course. And you'd be surprised how easy it is to pick up things in a matter of weeks. A ten week course should tell you how to :

Change oil + filter
Change air filter
Change, inspect, and gap plugs
Change brake pads
Tighten handbrake cable

And give you a fundamental understanding of how to diagnose a problem when it occurs.

Zube

vinruane wrote: »

just wondering if anyone knows if there are any courses for the average joe soap to learn the fundamentals of how engines operate.

bad link, forget it...

Anyhow, check your nearest Adult Education centre, they often have a "Know your car" course.

the evil belly

http://www.gmit.ie/lifelong-learning/lifelong-learning-programmes/lifelonglearning-engineering/car-maintenance.html

says the course is full but there's bound to be more throughout the year

I'm in Galway area and would be interested in something like this.. Only so much online will teach ya.

vinruane

Zube wrote: »

bad link, forget it...

The only prob with the link was two http:// take one out and it worked sound. Thanks for the info

dylbert

Get your self the relevant Haynes Service and Repair catalogue for your car, thats how I started and now I can give my car a full service and lots of other jobs like, change brake pads, discs and even brake hoses. It's really simple once you take your time and you'll save a fortune.

klaus23

dylbert wrote: »

Get your self the relevant Haynes Service and Repair catalogue for your car, thats how I started and now I can give my car a full service and lots of other jobs like, change brake pads, discs and even brake hoses. It's really simple once you take your time and you'll save a fortune.

I'd second this. It's the cheapest and most hands on approach, and if you're a member on a sympathetic single make forum there'll normally always be someone willing to help.

If you're in the Galway area and you've got teabags, I'll give you a few pointers should you decide to go servicing yourself.

beam99

If you car is a old type car fair enough, but the upto date cars have more electrics, eg new vw, mercs, new avensis. These's cars have electric handbrakes and the only way you can change pads on them is by releasing the piston using a computor. ie if you push back the piston without doin this you will do serious damage.

Big Nasty

beam99 wrote: »

If you car is a old type car fair enough, but the upto date cars have more electrics, eg new vw, mercs, new avensis. These's cars have electric handbrakes and the only way you can change pads on them is by releasing the piston using a computor. ie if you push back the piston without doin this you will do serious damage.

Hence how motor dealers can still make money in times of depression - I reckon manufacturers saw this coming or is it all in the interest of technology? :rolleyes:

vinruane

Thanks for the offer Klaus, I have teabags but i've no car! The plan is to buy during the summer, when this happens I may be in contact!

You're dead right beam99, most new cars are very much electrically operated, I don't want or need to be able to change everything in the car just want some basic knowledge of how the mechanics of the car operate and maybe prevent anything serious happening by recognising the signs! I'm a bit of farm boy so have an idea of mechanics but its very limited.

crosstownk

Check out the AA shop - see if you can get a book called the 'AA Book of the Car'. It's an excellent source of information. I'm not sure if it's still available but it's worth looking into.

vinruane

Thanks for all the info guys,

the course in GMIT looks like the best bet, seems to cover most things. I tried to find the AA book but had no luck apart from Amazon who want 85 quid for it, g'luck!

Thanks again for the advice guys, always helpful.

mumblin deaf ro

Rosmini secondary school on Grace Park Road (Dublin) does a ten week course - one evening a week - on basic car maintenance.

Car mechanic magazine is good too - not too hard to follow for a newcomer like me.