where to look for place to start learning about engines

[CamryXLE07]

i'm really interested in learning how engine work. i'll probably end up in a garage, if i can't find a decent job in IT. anyways, since i got my camry, my interest in modding and learning how car work sparked. if you know a good web site or places to learn how today's engine work, building a car, or even manufacturing a car, please share.

[mazdaverx7]

a service manual will deinatly work. you can also go to www.howstuffworks.com just read read read. once you have read, go take one apart and rebuild it. buy a car and work on it. i started working on cars when i was 13. i worked in my dad's shop. i joined the army as a diesel mechanic, then i worked as a tech at a mazda dealership. hands on is the best way once you understand the components.

[CamNub]

+1 for howstuffworks.com

Read about turbos and engines and you should be pretty set. This website is also a very good resource of information.

But why would you want to work in a garage if you're studying IT?

[Lord_Anarchy]

IT and tech jobs in general have high demand and equally, plenty of students flocking to study and get jobs in this fields. So.... It's probably not the BEST sector to get a job... But then, I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't add that I'M STUDYING COMPS TOO!! DAMN IT!!! Ah well... I'd like to try to be a chef....

Anyways, a service manual is a DEFINITE PLUS! I've read the GEN3 manual as if it was a bible... (maybe I should try reading the bible like that..). Howstuffworks.com is great and a good start but surfing the forums and checkin' out service manuals and then finishing up with some hands on work.. can't be beat

I forced myself to learn because I'm cheap and figure it like this "Why should I pay some shmuck for some SIMPLE WORK (brakes, cv, motor oil, etc) when I can do it myself?" After that though.. I've come into the habit of feeling like this: I don't trust anyone but me to work on my car. Those bums at JiffyRape continually set people up (loose or OVER TORQUED drain plugs, loose or hella-cranked oil filters, crap motor oil, missing or lost motor oil tops...) PepLosers want to charge CRAZY fees for simple crap.

DIY cold air intake(Brungold), DIY hypergrounding(Brink), DIY valve cover paint (RedPhoenix), DIY oil catch can(...Honda-Tech.com....*sigh*), DIY starter rebuild, there's other stuff but I can't remember As well, a FULL proper tune up for like 120 bucks with ALL THE PARTS I wanted (spark wires were some crap though). Right now I'm stuck on a DIY trans fluid change but when I get the courage, she's gonna get some nice synth fluid. DITTO for the timing belt and diff. fluid

P.S. I like how 5SFE engines in the Camry have EVERYTHING in front and within EASY reach. Starter, alternator, all the A/C stuff, oil filter, etc... Sucks that the intake manifold is a bitch to get to though.

In the end, regardless of how it could help you in the job market, it's really remarkable to just understand how a car works.

[CamNub]

The only problem about IT/Tech jobs are that w/ the damn indians, job security is a bitch.

[Lord_Anarchy]

Indians? As in India? Well.. to be fair, job security wouldn't be TOO MUCH an issue if the beloved Bush wouldn't GRANT tax breaks for companies that look for employees overseas as opposed to hiring our own. Cheap labor = more profit As well, when companies like ImClone, Enron, and WorldCom pull shenanigans like they do, how's anyone supposed to be safe and financially secure?

[CamNub]

Yes, Indians who eat curry.

I think the main problem is the fact that everyone is moving their stuff over, but once all the companies have their mainframes and computer systems in India, what do they do if the Indians demand higher wages?

[ghettosled]

Originally Posted by Lord_Anarchy

I forced myself to learn because I'm cheap and figure it like this "Why should I pay some shmuck for some SIMPLE WORK (brakes, cv, motor oil, etc) when I can do it myself?" After that though.. I've come into the habit of feeling like this: I don't trust anyone but me to work on my car. Those bums at JiffyRape continually set people up (loose or OVER TORQUED drain plugs, loose or hella-cranked oil filters, crap motor oil, missing or lost motor oil tops...) PepLosers want to charge CRAZY fees for simple crap.

AMEN brother!

im in the same boat. you can always try buying a very cheap beater car to work/practice on - in 2001 i bought a 1979 suburban that was my practice vehicle (until car cancer won the battle).

[darksparkz]

Definitely look around howstuffworks.com. Also buy a Haynes or Chilton's Repair Manual for your car and learn from there. Toyota also sells repair manuals that the technicians use, but their a bit expensive.