Ch40t1c's thread on first car and my semi-off topic remarks prompt this thread. I'm in my 40s. When I was growing up (70's & 80's) there was at least three machine shops in every neighborhood. Everybody knew how to work on cars and everybody knew how to drive a stick. Now, Biff asks Buffy to meet him down at the BMW dealership while the Service Manager writes him up because his new 5 Series will be in the shop. Now many of you run in wrench circles and work on your own rides - even BMWs! But for us old bitter cranky bastards, what's your take? I maintain most people are car-stupid and it's solely a result of their laziness. I got "back into cars" right after the 'net became popular in the mid 90s. Things are sooo easy now to wrench your own car. Just about ALL the data is right there. You no longer have to befriend some old codger in hopes he's let you watch and learn as he fixes a car. You have latex gloves. Oh yeah, I use 'em. In my workplace, there are about maybe 10 out of 600 that probably own a torque wrench. Things are changing! Isn't it a Man Rule that you can fix a car? (I still feel like a weenie 'cause I haven't rebuilt a transmission yet. In my defense, I haven't owned a Taurus or Chrysler and none of mine have broke.)
I can't fix everything on a car, but I like to do as much of my own work as possible. Some of these vehicles are such a bitch to work on sometimes though. I do belive every MAN should be able to repair his car, at least to some extent, or they are not a man. So, yes, i do agree with you.
The problem with wrenching cars in the last decade and more is that they are now increasingly more technologically based and if you don't have the right diagnostic equipment, you're SOL. I do my own oil changes (SWEAR by AMSOIL, but that's another thread for another time) and some minor things. My buddy is a great mechanic so I go to him for my brakes....I just don't trust myself with my family's safety for brakes. Ya, I probably could do them, but luckily Steve helps me and I have no fear pulling away. Ironically, I do the brakes on my motorcycle...but that's just me on it I guess. I agree with you. People nowadays should have a KNOWLEDGE of what's going on at the bare minimum. There's no excuse not to with the vast array of info online. Good post.
I was going to say. It went from be able to change plugs in 10 minutes to having to unbolt engine mounts, tilt the engines, and dismantle most everything just to get to them. Also there is just so many EXPENSIVE electronics now. It used to be a back yard mechanic could sort of diagnose the problem down to two $10 parts. Now you need a computer to just figure out what sensor is bad because you don't want to start randomly replacing $200 sensors. And those cheap computers are usually garbage for diagnosing anything. I used one on our old Escort. It just told me it was something wrong with the #3 cylinder. I replaced plugs, wires (what happened to $10 got you a set of wires?!!? These things are in the hundreds now!), fuel injector and none of that did the trick. Took it to the deal and they could not figure it out so they just reset the computer, which threw the light on a block later. Things are just not as easy as they once used to be.
Mechanic's are often not exactly the smartest people around. I know plenty that couldn't take something apart and put it back together without a manual. When something goes wrong they plug in a computer to ask the car to tell them what the problem is. VERY few have any diagnostic skills and few still know how to tune a carby or adjust the tappets. Ive had ZERO mechanical training other than trial and error. I can take something apart and rebuild it with no left over parts and can look at something and generally work out why something doesn't work (cept electronics, electrickery is beyond me, i cant see it so cant fix it). If you look at my GTO thread on here you will see i have stripped my car to a shell and am detailing every single part of it, then rebuilding it better than the manufacturer ever could have hoped for. WHY? Simply because i can and enjoy it. Sometimes its with a few mates as we took bits apart, stripped bits out, cleaned and drank a few beers. Now i have a hoist we get their cars up and change oil, swap some bushes out or whatever. EVERY bloke needs a shed, we like to tinker and build stuff. We need to escape the BS of life and sometimes retreat into our caves. With houses getting smaller, land getting expensive and the density of living getting higher its no wonder these simple skills are dying. Will the next generation know or care how to fix the lawn mower or change a spark plug or are they going to throw it out and get a new one as the consumer society takes hold even more? Edit: hmm i got a bit deep there. I think its the rum and oil mix. /heads back to the cave for some intense de-stressing (ie more rum)
It's been mentioned already but cars are getting more and more complicated with the advances in technology. I do just about all the maintenance on my own car. There's several things I won't touch though due to space/tool/time constraints. For instance I won't do any transmission work, head work, or basically any of the engines internals. I think I draw the line and swapping cam shafts out. Otherwise if it's broke or needs changing I'm all for it. I think all men should have at least a working knowledge of their own car. They don't need to know the insides and outs but they should know where things are located, how to change all the fluids and how to do something as simple as a brake job. Not necessarily saying you have to it yourself though.
I'm probably one of the few opposites. I try to do all the mechanical work that I can on my own. If it's something above my capabilities and facilities, then I seek other alternatives. I'm under 30, and I can't stand someone else (i.e. garage/dealership touch my rides as they don't car and break something anyway).
Well I grew up wrenching on cars with both of my brothers and my uncle. I'm not one bit afraid to get my hands dirty. If I can't do something both of my brothers are willing to help. All of the tuning stuff I leave to one person.
At first I checked to see if I had wrote this post and forgot about it . LOL . I figure if another man built something then I should eventually be able to take it apart and put it back together. Using the net nowadays dosen't hurt when looking for advise or info . I guess I owe a lot of this to the fact that when I was growing up and having no money , self repair was my only option. Todays youth don't have a clue and I guess we are partly to blame for spoiling them. My father was old school too say the least and said buy whatever you want but pay for whatever you get. So a lot of discarded junk found its way to my house and became the basis of my on the job training.I guess times are a changing ! ! !
All good thoughts. Yes, cars have indeed gotten kindda sick in the electronics. Multiplexed fiber optic wiring is something I'd be a little scared of - which cars have that? Cars are pretty simple really and after a few years, they get boring. I find this new stuff fascinating and love working with high tech stuff. Sure, you gotta pony up a little (sometimes a LOT) for diagnostic, but many times there are DIY work-arounds. Some lament the old days when you needed a 1/2 & 5/8 wrench and socket to fix the whole car. I don't. After I saw my millionth "hot rod" with a Competition Cam, Holly 850 Double Pumper, Hooker header setup, I said "F that. I'm otta here." I didn't tough anything but basic maintenance for 10 years. The new technology is what keeps me interested in cars. I'm under 30, and I can't stand someone else (i.e. garage/dealership touch my rides as they don't car and break something anyway). This is another huge reason why I hate having someone else work on my car. Too many people who don't give a rip about your ride.
I am over 40, and I try and fix all my own things. My riding mower is over 15 years old. My BMW had to sit while I found enough information to fix it. But I got it done with some help from friends. Over the years I have learned my mechanical strengths and weaknesses. On a side note, I have three torque wrenches.
I still work on all my cars and everything else that breaks around the house or work. Maybe I'm old fashioned but I still believe if you want it done right ....do it yourself.
