How Did You Get Started in Auto Repair?

[EricTheCarGuy]

Everyone has to start somewhere. Where did you start?

Topic

[Michael]

I was always one of those kids that pulled things apart. As a teenager I worked on computers (repair and assembly), I wanted to try something different so I got started on my first motorcycle. So far I have cleaned the carburetor’s, petcock, chain and sprockets and am currently re-building the front brake caliper (new seals are on back-order).

Not quite in the industry, yet.

[Stian Wexal]

Hi Eric,

I started repair in a young age, well maybe not all the time repair but taking things apart to just see how it worked and never get I As the time has gone I see the logic to things and can also do the repairs and set things correctly back in place, and it will work also 🙂

It have not always been repairs on car’s but all kind of other things from house, electrical, boat’s and excavators. Many of this has been done as a hobby and not a full time job.

Repairs on car’s did I start whit when I got a car myself, and the latest years before I found out about the EricThecarGuy I was reading in repair books to find a solution on the problem I had. But after I found out about the EricThecarGuy page I could relay get some good tips and tricks to solving things on the car.

So thanks to you Eric I have developed my ability to do repairs to a higher level, and save a lot of money.

I will also add that you are very skilled to educational explain how things working and how to solve things, so keep on Eric banana:

[W00DBar0n]

Eric’s dad reminds me of my father. He works on injection molding machines from time to time. He isn’t an on site millwright like Eric’s dad(by the sounds of things), he is a hydraulic specialist and shows up to places that have hydraulic issues, upgrading, commissioning, shut downs, etc. My dad has worked for the same company for the last 20+ years(has no plans on retiring), and they have taken him all over Canada, United States, Europe and Africa. This is who inspired me to become a mechanic, i didn’t have the same love for industrial machines as my father. I have his love for hydraulics, but i went to the mobile sector and became a heavy equipment technician.
In my younger days i took things apart, as i got older i put them back together, as i got better i fixed or even improved them. This taught me skills on memorizing how machines came apart and go back together, and the strange ability i have to memorize where everything in a shop is after doing one walk around. This ability has made me in charge of stock through out our 16 bay shop. Since i some how know what it is at all times just by walking one end to the other.
When i was in technical school, my instructor told me he hasn’t seen many people who can diagnose problems as fast as i can, with so little experience (i am still starting out, only a year under my belt in this trade), i answered back to him “I look outside the box, i try to see all possibilities, there isn’t always one answer, and there isn’t always one problem”

[Matt Brandsema]

I posted this on Youtube, but I will do it again here.

I basically got started working on cars out of necessity. I had bought a lemon and it kept breaking down. I became to become very frustrated taking it to shops and not knowing what they were doing or why. Eventually I said, “I NEED to learn how this stuff works.”

I am very much a book worm (I actually have a degree in Applied Physics), so the first thing I did was read a few text books cover to cover about every system in a car. I also watched MANY youtube videos (Especially ErictheCarGuy!) And over the years, have become quite adept at it. In fact, it is now my passion, just as much as Physics is.

I am SO glad I bought that lemon! It was really a blessing in disguise. :]

[jeep72]

When I was a kid I would take things apart. As i got older T would fix radios,Fans pc,washers etc. I than would help my uncle repair his cars than I was hooked on repairing cars and trucks. I went to school and here I am today trying to get my foot in the door some where to start my career but it has not been easy. seems no one will give us beginners a chance. B)

[Michele Pensotti]

What an interesting topic Eric! Thank you very very much for bringing it out! 🙂

I could say it’s the story of my life. (to make it very short, of course 😆 )

For me it started , as far as I can remember, from taking apart some toys, especially model cars, both the r/c ones and the “normal-not-self-moving” ones.

At the time my father used to tease me, he used to call me “the take-apart one”, since I almost never could put together what I had taken apart.

By the way he is the farthest from being a technician, more a theoretical one, very very little skilled in practical matters.

Anyway I kept taking apart things, and sometimes I could even put them back together, ever if some pieces did get left out 😛

I did like very much going on my bicycle, and with the years passing I took an interest in fixing it, mostly removing the wheels and setting the brakes.

In the meantime I took a deep deep liking to computers and videogames ( mostly because of “Wargames” movie)
I also started liking sci-fi and mad scientists like Dr Emmet Brown in Back to the future 😆

I remember I spent an entire summer typing on my commodore’s keyboard trying to create a videogame.

I also took a vacuum cleaner apart and (partly 😆 ) back together (it still works as of today!!) , and convinced my father to create an electro-magnet from a horse-shoe and some electrical wire plugged into an ac 220volts outlet!
Of course the wire melted, but even before plugging it into the outlet I KNEW it would melt, I did not know WHY, but I KNEW.
This is a very vivid memory I have.

I also remember I started fixing broken things at home, I did it so much that my father started to call me “the fix it one” :cheer:

I was very honored by this “promotion” 😆

Then came my moped, I was 14 and it fascinated me.

I approached it using all my skills I had learned from bicycles, and got some success.

The engine was the most fascinating thing of all; and that carburettor…and the electric shocks I got from the spark plug…fantastic! :blink: :silly: 😆

I also made it a 65cc one with upgraded exhaust, and even if the mechanic had put it together , I took it apart and back again; I remember I almost had no tools, but I managed.

In the meantime my father was having some problems with one of his cars; I kept telling him to not to trust his “friend” mechanic, but he kept trusting him and also kept being tricked.

However I promised to myself that I would have never let a mechanic trick me, and started dreaming of becoming one and having my little shop.

But my parents didn’t want me to become a “low culture” man (I EVEN HATE TO WRITE THIS 🙁 ) so they didn’t allow me to go to a technical school and I had to go to another more “cultural” school.

When I was at school I had two motorbikes, and I pretty much took those apart; I remember my only “impossibility” was to re-pack the clutch pack of my Vespa; I very sadly had to bring the parts to the dealer that packed it for me in what seemed like an instant (with the special tool of course!).
That was the time I understood the importance of “the right tool for the right job”.

Computer was always the other side of the coin, all these years.

When I got the car’s driving license and the first car I just fell in love with it 🙂

My biggest regret of all is that I made it scrapped even if it was still working , because of my girlfriend who didn’t like an older car…….

However , 20 years have passed and , I must thank you Eric for encouraging me, for giving me the knowledge and self assurance and trust to perform most if not all of the maintenance on my cars and motorbike, and to complete my self-realization dream, and that is to “be” a mechanic.

I’m also a very technical person, since in these 20 years I resurfaced my other love, that is with computers; I discovered I was even better in taking these apart, both in a mechanical and in a “softwarical” :cheer: way 😆

So if someone asks me, I cannot define myself in another way; I’m 10nico, which is an italian pronunciation, that means “tecnico” (that means “technician” in english by the way).

I thank you Eric because you’ve shown me more than ever that people akin to me do exist and I’m not a freak.

In conclusion, I think some of us come to the world with some predisposition, call it genetics, call it whatever you wish, to being a technician, a problem fixer.

Sometimes at work I get bored, and then some trouble happen , that noone can fix, and then I’m happy because for me it’s another occasion to fix a new problem, to learn something new, and to grow a little.

Thank you all , and especially thank you Eric.

My most sincere Live long and prosper (and stay dirty!)

10nico

[Josh Bollinger]

Noticing an interesting trend here…taking things apart. I had family friends and relatives that would not watch me because they were too afraid of me taking their stuff apart, broken or otherwise.

My parents got me one of those electronic learning kits that had a pile of components and book with a bunch schematics and I kinda learned basic electronics on my own. In high school I spent half the day in tech school learning about computers, networking, and electronics. That class was really good because the instructor knew that learning about this stuff in books didn’t work so 70% of the class was diagnosing then repairing computers and other odd electronic gadgets that broke around the school.

Working on cars for me really came from living in a family that didn’t have a whole lot of money to spend. Basic services (brakes, oil/filter, plugs/wires) were things that my father and I just did. There were more than a few times we had to rig up something to get the car to work because the replacement part was either too expensive or we didn’t want to walk all the way to the parts store.
For the most part I keep up with my own maintenance even when my car is still under warranty. Its can be real fun (when the car is under warranty) to diagnose a problem, take it to the dealership, and just describe the problem the best I can just to see if they come up with the same problem.

So far the biggest job I’ve worked on (helped with) has been replacing a clutch in a 2003 Focus. Let’s just say when it’s time for my GTI (or any car I may own in that future) to get a new clutch I’m taking it somewhere! I’ll be more than happy to cough up the dough and let someone with the correct tools and stronger back get the job done.

Eric, keep up the great work!

[Josh]

For me, I have always been fasicnated with things that move. Started out with airplanes; then my dad being a web/software person got me into computers and I thought that was going to be my career. But I always found cars and how they work fascinating. My parent’s never had a lot of money and dad didn’t really get how cars worked…We had a doge dart when I was little and he somehow fried the car’s wireing harness trying to install a altenator. Fire dept had to be called out. Since then I just mainly read books till I was old enough in my parents eye’s to turn a wrench. at that time we had a 78 toyota corolla that was just dieing. But I learned the basics on that engine. Even how carb’s work and what spark plugs were…and more importnantly the fireing order..Ever since I have liked cars and been the family mechanic. Mostly working on a 90 volvo. I also took things apart and mostly couldn’t get them back together after I created a big mess of the device. But as I have gotten older I have been able to put things back to gether the way they came apart. Mostly with computers since I can build them just about blind folded. My only issue with computers and rebuilding is laptops…I just can’t get those back together after I have taken them apart…the parts and they way they come together are just to small for my hands..

But that’s how I got started. Mostly curiosity and out of need. I now own my own car and do all of the maintnance on it. I even started a notbook in the glove box of when I do my services/repairs and how much and at what milage the car was at when the service was performed. It’s my way of showing that Pride of owner ship Eric talked about. But Eric here has boosted my knowledge of how cars work and now see him as my online automotive instrusctor. I have also been my friends mechanic with what I have learned and all they have to do is buy the part. I will do the diagnotics and installation of said part.

So Thank you Eric and forum for everything you have taught me!

[Michele Pensotti]

[quote=”LanEvoX” post=62237] My only issue with computers and rebuilding is laptops…I just can’t get those back together after I have taken them apart…the parts and they way they come together are just to small for my hands..

[/quote]

Yeah! I have problems with laptops too, but I’ve discovered my probems are mostly due to my poor tools, and not having a magnifying glass to help my sight.
Also with some technical manual on the specific model I discovered I CAN do repairs, even though I sometimes don’t know how I do things, but the repairs DO work 😆

Also it’s a problem to keep track of all those little pieces!
Only thing is to keep a scheme with a notebook and a pen, and some photos.

I even started a notbook in the glove box of when I do my services/repairs and how much and at what milage the car was at when the service was performed. It’s my way of showing that Pride of owner ship Eric talked about.

WOW! So I’m not alone, I do keep a notebook in my car to keep note of every little improvement I do to her (it?)

Glad to be in good company lad! :cheer:

Live long and prosper (and stay dirty!)

10nico

[EricTheCarGuy]

I’ve really enjoyed reading everyone’s stores on this topic. As pointed out, there seems to be a trend with ‘taking things apart’. I think this speaks to the type of ‘learners’ we are. I think many people in the repair professions are ‘visual’ learners. I think the theme of taking things apart speaks to that. Thanks to everyone who has shared their stories, it’s been a great read so far. I’ve learned a great deal. Keep them coming.

[Dave]

I guess I got started early on helping my dad fix things by fetching wrenches and holding the light for him. But I was always mechanically inclined tinkering with lawnmowers and such, got kicked out of a water-park for messing with the throttle and governor on the go-karts and bumper boats. 👿
As such when I got older my friends started asking me for help when their stuff didn’t work, so I was the go to guy to keep things running. It was a natural thing for me to get into automotive repair.

[cbriden]

I started with bicycles and then progressed to cars. My father was always interested in machines & I was always around them as a kid including boats, motorcycles, tractors, lawn equipment, ect. I have always been good mechanically although I never became a professional mechanic. The car is the ultimate system & when you understand them the skills can be applied to many other areas in life. I also enjoy “earning” the right to drive a vehicle with hard work rather than just shelling out the money for something new. I appreciate it so much more when it’s my blood, sweat, and tears that made it operate. That’s what motivates me to get dirty over and over again.

[Dima]

I very much agree with the “visual learner” thing. I’ve always been great in school, but just reading instructions was difficult for me. My best classes were those with teachers that would show you how to do things instead of handing out sheets and waiting. That’s why I learned math so well: I have had a great streak of math teachers that were very involved but very tough.

My passion started the same as yours: I just wanted to take everything apart as a child. I took apart everything I could and tried to put it back together. This included the first computer I ever got. Thankfully, I put it back together right! I got into building computers, though with little money, I had to settle with upgrading instead of full on builds.

My family had two cars, one that they drove, and one that they left alone. Undriven for 5 years, no maintenance aside from tires for 8. When I got my license, I “inherited” this car. A 1996 Toyota Corolla, a rare example of a good looking Corolla of that year. The Corolla started acting up, never heated up right, and we were too poor to take it to a shop, so I took it upon myself. With no one to help, scared of taking anything apart in the engine bay for the first time, I replaced the thermostat.

Now I’ve been doing all the maintenance it needs by hand, occasionally helping out with other family cars. It’s my escape from the cruel world, when I’m upset or stuck in a bad place, I go out and work on the car. My father fixes home appliances for a living, so he knows a lot about mechanics, but he never fixed a car before. I use his set of tools and am slowly buying my own. It’s a good time.

[travis malawskey]

to maybe expand for my knowledge. how do you get started?
every career and every passion has stepping stones.

[Deano Garrett]

My start came from being gofor(gopher) ie. go for this wrench go for that screwdriver. My dad was a mech in the Air Force on the old prop style engines then went to Lockeed and then back to the Air Force(but on the F15’s this time). So he never believed in paying someone else to repair anything that broke. Then by age 16 I got my first job in a tire shop busting tires and later learning to polish rims. From there I learned brakes then suspension and alignments then tune-ups ect until eventually learning diagnostics. Oh and somewhere in there I did get a 2 year ASSC Degree as a electronics tech and did a short stretch in the army as a 45N(Tank Turret Systems Mech on M60A1-A3)

[Author]

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