TomsThreeFiddy Posted June 19, 2016 Share Posted June 19, 2016 Hi guys, I've had my Z for a couple of years now and I'll be the first to admit that it's lacked some serious care and attention. The car is 13 years old now and is really beginning to show the signs of an angst-ridden teen with a chip on it's shoulder. My lack of care, and the worrying absence of the zeditis bug are partly due to my lack of free time during the week (I work in insurance, don't hate me), but mostly due to ignorance. Whenever something goes wrong it has to stay like that until I can arrange a day off work to take it to a professional and pay money for labour I'd rather have been able to do myself (not many garages near me are open weekends). The problem is that my understanding of any mechanical/electrical aspect of my car is almost nonexistent and is something I crave to learn, but lack the means to do so. I want to be able to work on my car with the confidence that I won't ruin it and would like this community's advice on how to go about this. I live and work in Stoke-on-Trent and would like the ability to learn over weekends (or evenings if necessary). I've seen some college-based courses around the £1,500 mark but the requirements aren't clear (I.e. I can't tell if they're aimed at employed adults or teenagers who can commit to a full-time education). I'd much prefer an on the job education, with some theory I can throw in during my free time at home, partly as this would be free for me and the employer (financially) and also because that's how I learn best. Could anyone suggest any affordable local courses, or if free work experience would be a viable option? (And how to go about obtaining it). A university degree is out of the question I'm afraid, I already have an unrelated degree (and the associated student debt) and can't warrant the cost of time and money of another for a hobby (~£9k a year!) If my knowledge improves to a great enough extent I may also contemplate weekend work for supplementary income. Let me know your thoughts, and don't worry about dragging me back to reality as I'm conscious this may be a bit of a pipedream. Cheers, Tom '53 Stock 350z GT Spec Gunmetal Grey Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus-350z Posted June 19, 2016 Share Posted June 19, 2016 Depending on how far you want to take it I'd say you can save yourself the cost of courses and just try and pick it up yourself. I obviously can't speak on behalf of everybody on here, but personally I feel more than comfortable doing most "hobbyist" jobs on cars, ie standard servicing, most mods, and on more simple engines (wouldn't fancy doing it on the VQ just yet) - engine rebuilds and jobs etc, and all of the knowledge has come from a mixture of reading post after post after post on the forums and in manuals and then tied in with a bit of trial and error. Starting off with the smaller jobs, with a lower risk of breaking something then working your way up will slowly see you be able to do more and more complex jobs down the line. Plus the bonus of being on this forum is that if you ever get stuck, or concerned about damaging something is that you can just stick a question up on here and someone will very quickly help you out. But yeah basically I'd say (from the sounds of it) the level that you want to achieve is more than acheivable off your own back and there's no need to sign up to courses or the like - more money and time to just dig in and get your hands dirty. Just be brave and with a bit of common sense applied you'll be surprised how hard it is to actually damage your car! Although once you start getting into the bigger things, it becomes very difficult if the zed is your daily, because things inevitably take longer than you expect if you're waiting on parts etc so that's just worth baring in mind Basically in my opinion - just dig in mate and you'll develop a great understanding and a lot of confidence quicker than you might expect If it's then something that you'd like to persue properly, I'd ask around at all of your local garages and mot centres to start off with and offer your work at the weekends to start off with and take it from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomsThreeFiddy Posted June 19, 2016 Author Share Posted June 19, 2016 Thanks for the encouraging reply Gus. However, another problem I face which I realise I didn't mention above is that even basic modifications/repairs aren't ideal in my current living situation as my car is kept in a residential parking space on an incline. This makes the self-taught method not only difficult and potentially dangerous, but also a bit intimidating as I'll have other residents as an audience to my inevitable **** ups 😜. Although I intend to change my living arrangements in the future, it's not going to happen any time soon and I don't think my Z can handle much more neglect! I'm partly hoping that access to proper equipment and tools either through education or professionally would make a workable environment accessible to me privately as well (either through connections or for a fee). Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumping350 Posted June 19, 2016 Share Posted June 19, 2016 (edited) Only advice I can give from doing most things myself are....lots and lots of reading (there is a guide for everything on the net even cutting down a tree) and first save your money on courses and go buy a Halfords professional tool kit which will keep you sorted for most service jobs and basic mods. Go park somewhere quiet flat and do it there until you get new place sorted, that's what I used to do or park in my mates drive and do it Be prepared to buy tools, Ive found that 9 times out of 10 I couldnt do the job properly because didnt have right tools. Over 2 years of collecting now and have a full aresenal In terms of messing up it will happen even with a multitude of courses under your belt..my theory is, its not a lambo and most parts on the zed are replaceable and found pretty easily (at cost of course) so this is why we have Zmanalex Edited June 19, 2016 by jumping350 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Muxlow Posted June 19, 2016 Share Posted June 19, 2016 As above start small and work your way up. Buy a manual as well maybe? I have little or no knowledge of cars for about 20 years now I used to do a bit when I was a lot younger. But I have just done my very own plenum spacer upgrade yesterday with no issues at all. You will be surprised how quickly you pick it up. Sent from my iPad using a hammer and chisel... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjdugen Posted June 19, 2016 Share Posted June 19, 2016 Sigh........ You have little mechanical/electrical knowledge.... Why? As has been mentioned, the web is your friend and invariably better than some under-resourced college course. Read, learn and absorb. At least learn the mechanical descriptions of components and how they interact. Electrical systems are, these days, far more complex. Something as heavy and complicated as a Z is not the ideal platform to learn on, if only because the cost of parts is far higher than a runabout. I would suggest a cheap Fiesta to learn your trade, no-one will cry if you reduce one of those things to scrap. I know this will sound condescending, but it does appear that people are either born with a natural mechanical aptitude.... or they are not! To be honest with you, if you have been happily letting a Z go to wrack and ruin... I would suggest that you don't have the necessary aptitude or devotion. Sorry to sound negative, but my stock in trade is repairing motorcycles, the horror stories I can tell of 'owner maintenance' would fill a very large tome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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