B5 mechanics - where did you learn to wrench?

dr_zoidberg · #1 02-25-2008, 02:11 PM

Hi,

I've been wanting to mod my 2000 1.8T A4 and have been looking at a few options (some easy,some hard). Considering the labour costs for mod work are highand the fact I have always wanted to learn to wrench myself I am wondering if taking some courses will help me achieve both my cost + learning goals.

Of course I have questions:
I work full time and this would be a hobby thing, so I need night courses, is this a common thing that is offered?
I don't want a full on 2+ year course as this is just a hobby thing, is there anything out there to suit my needs?
Does anyone know of anything in the Vancouver, BC.area?

Lastly, and why I have posted in the B5 area, would I need to take more intensive training to work on my car, I don't want to take a bunch of training courses and find out the electronics are so complicated that even doing simple things requires years of training? (I don't think this is the case, but figured I'd better ask)

Glen

PS. Any advice is appreciated on types of courses that may be helpful

CLX · #2 02-25-2008, 02:33 PM

I've been working on cars since I was old enough to turn a screwdriver. Some people are just mechanically inclined.

ThePaintballGuy · #3 02-25-2008, 02:45 PM

Everything I have done to my car (turbo swap, timing belt, FMIC x2, and a bunch of other things) I learned on my own from reading DIY's and asking lots of questions. I learn really quickly and am able to figure stuff out on my own easily.

Josh

cincyTT · #4 02-25-2008, 02:51 PM

Most stuff is pretty easy to do with a DIY. All you really need to know is what parts are what and where everything goes. Just stick to basics and dont attempt anything you dont think you can do (suspension or clutch) and can screw up or have to tow to somewhere else.

dr_zoidberg · #5 02-25-2008, 03:11 PM

I think I can do the easy stuff like exhaust, and would like to try the fmic (don't know how I'll get the welding done though).

But in the long term I'd like to try more adventurous stuff likedoing a bt upgrade myself, but for something like that I don't want to just follow the DIY, I'd like to have more knowledge so I don't mess things up, I figured maybe taking some training would help as I might get a little hands on experience before I pull apart my audi. Also if I do mod stuff and later on it breaks down, I'll know how to fix it myself. Maybe even do the timing belt

UpstateNYA4 · #6 02-25-2008, 03:16 PM

I cut my teeth on Nissans, and after 9 years of owning and modding/maintaining my Z, I moved to the Audi and it was a natural transition. There are things to learn about this car for sure - much more computer control of so many features compared to a 1990 Nissan - but I take it in stride. Best way to learn is to do - print some DIY upgrades and maintenance, get your parts, and do the work. And read, read, read - everything you can find on Audis and cars in general. If you have members from AudiForums that live nearby, get in touch with them and see if they'll work on the car with you so you can get familiar with it - most enthusiasts (which most of us here are) are cool like that and leap at the chance to turn wrenches (I know I do anyhow).

cincyTT · #7 02-25-2008, 03:16 PM

if you get a ic kit with pre bent piping kit (not just random bends) you can install it yourself pretty easy. As for a BT install, its really not that hard. Its basically a bunch of small steps but nothing that takes more than a basic socket set of tools cant handle. I think it just over welms most to even attempt it.

chaos92287 · #8 02-25-2008, 03:26 PM

most of the things you can learn by just working on the car. i had very little experience working on cars before my audi, but now i can do most jobs with ease. you just cant be intimidated by it. i make a killing off my friends just cause they dont wana work on their own cars lol

if you want to learn how to work on cars in general, you can take a few classes at the local community college. it'll get you more familiar with how the engine works and the basic components. that plus working on your own car and that should be plenty if your just making this a hobby.

UpstateNYA4 · #9 02-25-2008, 03:30 PM

Sport Compact Car did an excellent 10-12 part series on engines a few years ago, called Suck, Squish, Bang, Blow, which went from the very basics (what is an engine?) to advanced concepts like tuning for boost, nitrous, high compression, or combinations of them. They went through turbos, superchargers, spray, cylinder head, block, rotating assembly, fueling systems, you name it. Go to www.sportcompactcarweb.com and see if they have the series posted - it'll give you a lot of foundation when it comes to understanding engines.

01afour · #10 02-25-2008, 03:40 PM

i think i learned cause ive been into cars since i could talk and wanted a tool set for like my 5th birthday. ever since then ive just been around other people that know what there doing and just ask them questions for everything i didnt know, i think thats really the best way to learn to work on cars, is with someone thats done it. so far most of the mods ive done though have actually been with a buddy of mine, and neither of had done the mods before and i would say they can deff. be done by someone with almost no experience of turning a wrench. the main thing when attempting to mod your own car is have plenty of time and like others have said read the DIY's, they help.


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