I want to learn more about my cars engine?

Question:
i wanna be quite self sufficient on the road i past my driving test just over a year ago now and got my first car but dont want to sound like a right girly girl and keep asking my bf to help my do things with my car. so i was told best way to learn about whats under the hood is to take things out bit by biit and then put them back again but no idea where to start or if this is a good idea at all so any advise would be good ta.

Answers:

What would cause my 1986 F150 4x4 to stall after running for a few min and not restart for hours?

Leave well alone! today's cars are manufactured in such a way that there is very little an unqualified person could fix. Just learn the basics from the manual.

I have a 94 f150 regular cab with NO 4x4 that needs an oil pan can i replace it without pulling engine?

modern engines do not lend themselves to the home mechanic as many systems are computer controlled so unless you really know what you are doing, leave it alone

I have a 94 Geo Metro (manual), it will not shift?

Nothing lasts forever; any car eventually will start having problems. However, while some cars may provide you with few hundred thousands miles of trouble-free driving, others start having problems from the beginning. Why there is such a huge difference?
Sometimes cars start having problems after accidents. Sometimes it may be a factory defect or design flaw. Heavy conditions like, for example, driving only short trips without letting the engine to warm up fully also make the engine life shorter.
Corrosion is another factor - for example, park the car for a few months in place with high humidity and later it will probably have more problems than the vehicle driven all this time on daily basis.
Yet, lack of maintenance is one of the most often reason for a car to break down.
Here is a visual example:
Compare the two images below: the left Mazda's engine hasn't been maintained well. Looks like it the engine oil hasn't been changed for long time. This engine has relatively low mileage and already needs serious and costly repair. On the right, the Mercedes-Benz engine that has been maintained well. After 310,000 km (192,000 miles) it's still in a very good condition, and needs no repair at all. Can you see the difference?

Can someone help me...?

look over the owners manual, invest in a clymer or haynes manual for your car, take a class on basic auto maintenance (usually given at local community colleges), join groups in Yahoo - they have for different vehicles, do research online and ask friends and family about things to do with your car.

Do you feel the difference with a 5-12hp increase in your car?

Good luck and good for you!

How do I change a Low beam Head Lamp on a 1998 Saturn SL2?

it all depends on what kind of car you have

Ford problems?..?

Since you don't know much about cars, I don't suggest you start taking your car's engine apart, and putting it back together, it takes many years to be able to correctly do everything involved in tearing down and rebuilding an engine, plus everytime you take the engine apart, you have to replace seals, gaskets, oil, coolant, etc, so its not very cost effective to tear apart your car and put it back together.

Car won't start?

My suggestion is that the next time something needs replaced or fixed on your car, go buy the part(s) and then get your self a Haynes, or Chilton manual and follow the instructions in the manual to replace the parts.

Buy new car bonnet from internet?

That is the worst thing you can do.
If you want to learn about youre engine, buy a workshop manual and look at the same engine that was taken apart.

If my car is constantly washed with soap detergent-will this constant washing spoilt the paint works?

If you want to be able to repair things, look at the basics.
Battery, ignition system etc. What are the chances of you fixing an engine without the proper equipment? If you take everything apart you will never remember where it went, because there are very intricate parts.

Changed the water pump and thermostat on a 2000 Chevy Malibu. What should the temp gauge read while driving?

triy this www.engine-transmissionstore.c...

What is the maintenance schedule for a 2003 Toyota Camry LE w/ 60,000 miles odometer.?

I would not start pulling things off but you can go to Auto Zone on-line and look at repair manuals to give you an idea.

Car only starts when jumped? Car is NEW with 1300 miles on it.?

http://www.autozone.com/repair_info.htm...

What is the suitable oil for ISUZU TROOPER (Benz)?

take a course at your local junior college sometimes they have special classes on weekends for weekend warriors
to learn how to keep maintiance on your car with the basic s

1988 Ford F-150 starter problems?

Good for you, but I wouldn't try to dismantle anything difficult, they're so complex and delicate these days you can get into deep trouble. Get a Haynes manual for your car, that'll give you an idea of what's involved. A lot of colleges do car-maintenance evening classes too.

How can I get out a stuck oil drain plug?

If you want to take a car apart start with an old junker that barely runs. Maybe even try fixing it up and resale it. the experience will be great and you won't chance messing up your main means of transportation. Who knows you may actually make money when you resale the junker.

For men only! (Best Engine)?

Your best bet is to work out where the really necessary things are, like battery, oil filler, oil dipstick, brake fluid container, cooling system cap, windscreen washer container and fusebox are. You will probably recognize some of these things anyway. Also you should learn how to change a tire and maybe jump start a car with leads.

How do you know the timing belt of your car is malfunctionning and how do you repair it?

If your car has not got an owner's manual, go to a dealer and ask for one. It may not be cheap, but you also might get one on an auction site.

Why does my 4-cylinder GMC Sonoma get a sad 18 MPG?

Here are sites that will give you some of the basics and a bit more -

ABS light coming on ,car wont start?

http://www.samarins.com/maintenance/simp...

Petrol consumption?

http://www.ehow.com/list_1005.html...

Arrrgghh I'm having car troubles...?

Don't start pulling things apart without someone there to guide you.

Where is the O2 Sensor located on a 2003 Chevy Venture Engine?

Look to see if any local repair shops or dealers are running any 'Car Care Clinics' When I ran shops for both Goodyear Certified Auto Service and Midas we used to have these clinics all the time for those who new little to nothing about taking care of their automobiles. Some clinics were for woman only so they would feel more comfortable asking questions. Check with any local auto part supply store to see if they know of any of these clinics.
Also try www.midas.com and click on the link at the top of the page for Auto Education to start to understand some of the basics about automobiles.

Why are there?

That's probably not a good idea.
At some point you'll take something off, and not be able to put it back on again.

My 1999 Mitsubishi Spacestar 1.8 GDI has failed MOT on emissions!?

Find a local college offering an evening class in car maintenance, and enrol. You won't learn how to design an engine, but you will learn how to do most regular maintenance jobs (oil & filter changes, wheel changes, brake pad/shoe replacement, fluid checks & top-ups) on your car.
You'll be more self-sufficient than most non-mechanics after only a few weeks.

How do I loosen a radiator hose from it's bracket?

well dear,you need to start out with just the oridinal things,like fluids,air filter,and stuff like that for right now,then after a while,you can get into the bigger stuff.i think thats great,your wanting to learn stuff on your car,just dont be too good,your boyfriend might get jealous.lol

My horn on my 96 cavalier doesnt work?

Don't take it apart if it isnt broken!

Need help changing spark plug on 2002 Pontiac Grand AM?

My suggestions would be either

My muffler part of my exhaust fell off, Is it safe to drive still?

1: Get a Haynes manual, available at decent car spares shops.

Engine cut out when I slowed down?

2: If you really want to, and it's an old & cheap car, get a spare engine & take that apart at your leisure.

How expensive is it to rent a limo?

When i had my citroen 2cv6, with an engine which is about as basic as you can get - 602cc, two cylinders - i got an old engine for £60 and stripped it down partially & cleaned the parts so that i could see how they worked.

Is there a fee for failing the smog test in Ca, and if so how much is it? I have a 88 honda accord.?

Well done @ being an independent girly and not wanting to rely on bloke who would rather watch the footy & drink beer

Swaping 4 bolt to 5 bolt rear axle for Ford Fairmont/Zephr?

:o)

Wondering if anyone knows why my car died?

xxx

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