Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
Subject: Re: Good books to learn auto mechanics?
From: derek@nezsdc.icl.co.nz (Derek Tearne)
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 92 00:42:18 GMT
Organization: Fujitsu New Zealand

In article <1992Sep12.162714.10418@midway.uchicago.edu> epc1@midway.uchicago.edu writes:
>In article <1992Sep12.142403.18673@cornerstone.com> aefron@cornerstone.com (Andrew Efron) writes:
>>In article <1992Sep12.033515.2237@koko.csustan.edu>, james@koko.csustan.edu 
>>(Jonas Grumpy) writes:
>>
>>> >What is/are THE authoritative book/s on automobile mechanics.  I would
>>> >like to learn both theory and practical instruction.  My goal
>>> >is to be better than 80% of the auto mechanics.  How do auto mechanics
>>> >learn their trade?  (besides hands-on experience).
>>> >
>>> >Any help would be appreciated.
>>> >Thanks.
>>> >
>
>>> You wanna be an auto mechanic?? I hope your five years old. Because that
>>> is the best age to start learning. You have to be raised an auto mechanic.
>>> There is no book(s) thacan n teach you mechanics. If you want to be
>>> better than 80% of the mechanics out their. You had better be prepared
>>> to give up your current lifestyle and become an apprentice at joes corner
>>> gastation. Being a mechanic is more tn changing your brakes or installing
>>> a rebuilt water pump.
>
>I want to learn about cars so that I never have to rely on a mechanic.
>I recently bought my first car and I'm having some trouble with it.
>
>Is there REALLY more to being a mechanic than installing a water pump?  Like
>not being able to spell - by any chance?
>

As the apprentice ocne said.

"Two weeks ago i cudnt even spell mekanic and now i are one".

What is this guys problem?  Is he worried about his job security or something?

Most of the jobs that have to be done on a car can be done quite adequately 
by the home mechanic.  Anyone can change the oil,  replace brake parts, 
change shocks,  replace axles, reset tappets etc.   

Not everyone can balance twin carbs by ear,  listen to the engine and 
know by how many degrees the timing is out.  That takes experience and 
aptitude and can't be learned.  

The trick is knowing when to take the car to an expert.  
The _real_ trick is recognising the expert when you meet him/her.  There
are far to few good mechanics around.  This guy who says you have to
start at 5 years old to beat 80% of the mechanics has got his figures wrong.

You have to have engineering in your soul to beat 20% percent of the 
mechanics out there.  The 80 percentile mechanic works for qik lube joints
chews gum and has a loud radio blaring in the corner.  The problems
caused by these guys are described in this newsgroup weekly.

My tips to other home mechanics are.
Get the workshop manual for your car.
Spend some of the money you save on buying a new tool or piece equipment.
Take your time.
Assume that no job will take less than a weekend.
If you have to take your car into a shop,  don't just leave the car,  go in
there before hand,  talk to the guys for ten minutes.  If they don't sound
like they know what they are doing - go somewhere else.  If they do know
what you are doing you'll probably learn something.


-- 
Derek Tearne. -- derek@nezsdc.icl.co.nz --  Fujitsu/ICL New Zealand -- 
Some of the more aware dinosaurs were worried about the environmental
consequences of an accident with the new Iridium enriched fusion reactor.  
"If it goes off only the cockroaches and mammals will survive..." they said.