how difficult is it to learn how to understand enigines and do engine repair?

Question

i just have and interest in them and would like to learn as much as i can. how should a teenager start out?

Answer 1

its easy, take a class at your high school if offered. if not try the local community college. if your are from Amarillo like your name suggest Amarillo college did offer this course 15 years ago. probably still do. good luck.

Answer 2

To start out with I would suggest an older vehicle, let's say pre-1975. The lack of computer control will be easier to deal with. All these engines needed were air, fuel, and spark to run. The engines of today are computer controlled marvels of modern engineering, with variable displacement, variable timing, microprocessor controlled spark delivery systems, you name it. There are hundreds of sensors to deal with and there can be as many as 3 different computer networks involved when you simply turn on the radio. If you just want to learn how the internal combustion engine operates, do some studying on the 60's models. If you want to learn how to repair new vehicles, I would suggest enrolling in the local community college for automotive technology. If you do this for a living, you will constantly be learning new products, engine designs, and control systems. New technology is produced every day. I have to take classes regularly to stay on top of my game. In the 60's you would have been labeled a madman if you thought a 4 cylinder engine could produce 250 hp off of the assembly line and still get almost 30 miles to the gallon, but in modern times, it happens every day.

Answer 3

The first thing you need to do is learn what parts do and how it works, before you even consider doing work on a car. As a starting point I think you should check out howstuffworks.com and search for "engines". What you could do on the weekends if you wanted to, is buy a $10 Haynes repair manual for a vehicle your family owns and looks at the parts on the car as you read the book. Looking at a book is fine, but unless you actually look at a car with the parts on it, you can't get it.

I never took any classes and I've been working on my car myself since 17, I'm now 22 and can do anything short of replacing pistons and bearings.

Answer 4

depends how much common sense you have.check out the books in a library they have plenty of books there from basic engines to wherever you want to go. start with single cylinder engines 4 cycle 2 cycle and diesel. then go from there, once you understand the basic stuff the rest will fall in there for ya. I'm sure the high school has a auto shop program or two also. or you can go to a tech school.When you work your way up to today's cars ya you;ll need a brain kinda because of the computers. but its still back on you when they dont work and everyone is scratching there heads. you also have lp and turbine engines

Answer 5

I'd suggest taking automotive classes in high school if they are offered, or even electronics and small engine classes if you have any. If you want to work on cars as more than a hobby and make it a career, my suggestion would be to look into technical schools for further education in the field you want. I'm currently going to Universal Technical Institute and taking the basic automotive course, then Ford specific training, and hopefully after that I'll move on to more specific training with Audi, Mercedes, Volkswagon, or Volvo.

Answer 6

It is best to just immerse yourself into the work. Get yourself a car. If you are a teenage guy, I assume you have one. Get the shop manual or Haynes manual for that exact car. Get a good basic set of tools, box end and socket wrenches. If the car is an import all fasteners will be metric. Older American cars are mostly english, although newer American cars can have a blend of metric and english fasteners. Have phillips and flat blade screwdrivers long and short, offset. Generally, I add to my tool kit when I need a tool I don't have for the job. So as your engine fixes get more in depth, your toolbox will grow with you. Guard your tools and NEVER loan them out. Get a good floor jack and jackstands. Rhino ramps are handy too, especially for a quick oil change or underbody inspection. Pneumatic tools are the bomb and will save you lots of time and skinned knuckles.
Have a digital camera to document disassembly-reassembly stages. Keep nuts and bolts layed out in sequences and clean them before reinsertion. Surgical gloves make good disposable car-working gloves. If you don't like wearing gloves, smear some butter or vegetable oil on your hands before a job. The engine grime will be easier to get off later. Start with smaller jobs and work up to bigger ones. Use torque as your friend, not enemy. Sometimes a pipe extention on a wrench works miracles.

Answer 7

find a garage that could use an extra hand here and there, and keep your ears and eyes open. I used to jst hang out and watch them work now I know enough to do a state inspection, change a motor or tranny, change all fluids, change brakes, etc, etc, etc, schooling is good but nothing beats hands on experience. if you meant like smalle engines(lawnmowers and such), find a cheap one and a repair manual. totally dismantle it and put it back together following the manual. Once you see how it works, finding and fixing the problem becomes easy.

Answer 8

you have the internet ! all the knowledge you need, you can also do like i did when i was young and get a lawnmower that did not run and tear it apart, and see the parts you read about,best way to learn hands on

Answer 9

Look up how a 4 stroke engine works and that should get you started.

Answer 10

Shool and lots of it,it used to be esier.Now engines are run by computers.Alot more to it.Good luck=)