Learning basic mechanics - Bath

[ghostmadlittlemiss]

Hi,

I'm a 21 year old girl who bought a 1967 Morris 1000 around 2 years ago. Basically, my dad's girlfriend loved them, told me how cheap they were to run and maintain, what a lovely character they had, ect. We took a trip around Charles Ware's to have a look at some but they were a lot out of my price range. However, I absolutely fell in love with them. So my dad found me one for £1500, which I paid for, somewhere around Derby and brought it down to Bath for me around Nov 2008. His girlfriend told me that when I came home for the summer, she'd teach me everything I needed to know about maintaining them. So far, so good.

Flash forward 2 years. I've had a job every summer since then and know little more now than when I started. The most technical thing I can do is clean the spark plugs. I've kept most of Bath's garages in business over the last 2 years and am now doing the same for CW. Believe me, they all love me, I make them a fortune. To top it all off, after a huge row my dad's now broken up with said girlfriend so there's no chance of her teaching me anything about the car and quite frankly, I'm running out of money and patience. I love my car to bits but I can't afford to keep calling breakdown/CW every time the flipping points are playing up! Or something equally trivial. I went to a few of the Avon branch's meeting but I now work Tues nights so I can't go any more.

So this is my plea. Is there anyone in the Bath area willing to teach me basic mechanics and what to look for when the car's playing up? Right now, I'm waiting for breakdown to tow her to CW for a problem that could be anything between the points and the head gasket and I haven't a clue what's wrong. I'm sick to the back teeth of worrying about what I'm going to do next time she doesn't start, I'm missing work so often with car trouble I'm shocked I still have a job and I haven't a clue if a garage is ripping me off or not. I honestly don't have the money to go on like this, which is why I'm begging for help. The most I can offer as payment for helping me is help in kind and maybe the odd box of chocs or some HM cookies now and then. I don't want work done for nothing, I will buy any parts/equipment needed somehow but I just want to learn how to do this myself because if I don't, I don't know how long I can afford to keep my car for. Can anyone help me, please? Sorry for the long post.
Kayleigh

[ASL642]

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[ghostmadlittlemiss]

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Replied.

[Matt]

Prehaps not quite what you want to hear, but I expect there is a local college that does adult education on vehicle maintaince / restoration?

[ghostmadlittlemiss]

Prehaps not quite what you want to hear, but I expect there is a local college that does adult education on vehicle maintaince / restoration?

I've checked Bath, Bristol and Chippenham but nothing that suits my needs (ie, a course about classics, part time and cheap). Thanks for the help though.
Kayleigh

[dalebrignall]

theres a new chap rtg services in your area why dont you google him and let him have a look he has lots of positive reviews .

[MarkyB]

If you can find a copy, The Ladybird Book "How it works the Motor Car" is very good at explaining all the basics.
Maybe someone can suggest a more modern alternative?

I'm sure someone can point you to an on-line copy of the manual.

This forum is a great resource too, ask anything, and you will get an answer in short order.

[ghostmadlittlemiss]

Thanks for all the help, everyone, it's all very good advice. And a new garage would be useful for anything too complicated to be fixed myself. However, I'm the kind of person who learns by being shown what to do, not by reading what to do. So as grateful as I am for all the wonderful ideas you're all giving me, does anyone know anyone who's willing to teach me how to fix my car please? I don't mind if they come along with a book, read from it and then show me what to do. But I don't learn well from books, I learn from getting my hands dirty. So can anyone help me please?
Kayleigh

[bmcecosse]

Here's the details for Russel - not heard from/anything about him just recently - but well respected for his helpfulness and quality of his work.

RTG SERVICES

MORRIS MINOR SPECIALIST

MOBILE SERVICING, WELDING AND MECHANICAL REPAIRS

WORKSHOP FACILITIES NOW AVAILABLE IN BRISTOL BY APPOINTMENT.

All work undertaken from a full rebuild to a service.

All work carried out at £25 per hour.

Full service including Engine oil and filter, gearbox oil, axle oil spark plug points condenser air filter,suspension greased and ignition timing £140.

Also available is a vehicle inspection service. Morris minors can hide a multitude of sins! You can save yourself a lot of money and time with a thorough inspection. And dont be caught out by unscrupulous sellers. I can also inspect engines and gearboxes that have allegedly been rebuilt For more details on this service call or email.

TEL. 07981 002991 between 8am and 8pm 7 days a week for more info.

[ghostmadlittlemiss]

Thanks very much and I'll definitely check out that garage next time anything goes wrong, especially as the hourly rate looks very good. However, I'm still looking for someone with a interest in tinkering with cars in their spare time who's willing to teach me how to tinker with mine. Does anyone know anyone like that?
Kayleigh

[AntB]

I'm still looking for someone with a interest in tinkering with cars in their spare time who's willing to teach me how to tinker with mine. Does anyone know anyone like that?
Kayleigh

Kayleigh, having been in your position 15 years ago i'd say two things:

1) digital cameras are far cheaper now than they were back then
2) morris minors are incredibly easy to work on and anything you learn now, no matter how hard and stressful it is at the time will pay you back a hundred times over in the future

so what's the point of 1)?

well, when i got my traveller i had it converted straight away to disc brakes. unfortunately there's a company that sold a very dodgy disc brake kit back then (they still do now as far as i am aware) and that's what was fitted. i got my money back after threatening to take them to court, but i was still stuck with the problem of doing things the more expensive, proper way. and the morris was my only car. on top of this i lived in the middle of somerset and my college i had to get to every day was 15 miles away.

so i took loads of photos and free advice off the excellent CS Autoclassics and set about doing it myself.

i fixed it.

i then set about fitting a five speed gearbox myself, and an mg midget engine etc etc.

10 years after that what the morris taught me enabled me to rebuild the diesel engine of a 106 i bought.

when you're young, skint and in trouble things with a rusty old car can seem awful. i know, mine had all my money and me in tears.

but you can do it!

and you can do it yourself!!

take your time and be confident, but do things in baby steps. take a photo of a part, take that something part way apart and then put it back together, and then do the same with something else. with a Haynes manual and some patience you can do a lot without anyone standing over you.

best of luck

Ant

[LouiseM]

I'm still looking for someone with a interest in tinkering with cars in their spare time who's willing to teach me how to tinker with mine. Does anyone know anyone like that?

Even if you can't get to the Avon branch meetings any more, you've been there a few times so people know you. Have you contacted them to see if anyone would be willing to spend an hour or two showing you how to do a basic service and pointing out where everything is?

I don't mind if they come along with a book, read from it and then show me what to do. But I don't learn well from books, I learn from getting my hands dirty.

I was 20 when I got my first Minor and didn't have a clue how to fix anything and didn't have anyone to help me. I know you say that you can't learn how to do something by reading from a book but getting a manual is the first step in just identifying what every part is. As for fixing a problem, there is a wealth of information available on this forum. If you post up details of exactly what the problem is I guarantee there will be someone on here who has either had the same problem or knows what the problem is, can talk you through how to fix it and even post up photos to show you. A lot of starting & running problems in a Minor are usually caused by simple electrical probelms which are relatively easy to fix. Someone turning up to show you how to fix one particular problem though won't help much if you get another, different problem, later so as you say the best way to learn is to get your hands dirty yourself. Minors are really very easy to work on. If I can manage to change a coil, points & condensor and fit a new radiator, thermostat, starter motor, lights etc without anyone showing me how to do it I'm sure you'll be able to do it too I still use a garage for work on 'safety critical' areas like brakes etc or for things that I'm not confident about fixing myself or don't have the garage space or equipment for but have saved a lot of money over the years by fixing problems myself and it's a lot more satisfying than paying someone else to do the work for you - you just need to get a bit of confidence. Hopefully there's someone out there who can teach you the basics but I'd also suggest getting yourself a manual, opening the bonnet and identifying what all the parts are. I know some on here aren't fans of Haynes manuals but the 'owners workshop manual' includes photos & diagrams showing exactly how to fix some basic problems and also has a 'fault finding' table at the end of each chapter which I found really useful when learning the basics. Good luck

[ghostmadlittlemiss]

I'm still looking for someone with a interest in tinkering with cars in their spare time who's willing to teach me how to tinker with mine. Does anyone know anyone like that?

Even if you can't get to the Avon branch meetings any more, you've been there a few times so people know you. Have you contacted them to see if anyone would be willing to spend an hour or two showing you how to do a basic service and pointing out where everything is?

I don't mind if they come along with a book, read from it and then show me what to do. But I don't learn well from books, I learn from getting my hands dirty.

I was 20 when I got my first Minor and didn't have a clue how to fix anything and didn't have anyone to help me. I know you say that you can't learn how to do something by reading from a book but getting a manual is the first step in just identifying what every part is. As for fixing a problem, there is a wealth of information available on this forum. If you post up details of exactly what the problem is I guarantee there will be someone on here who has either had the same problem or knows what the problem is, can talk you through how to fix it and even post up photos to show you. A lot of starting & running problems in a Minor are usually caused by simple electrical probelms which are relatively easy to fix. Someone turning up to show you how to fix one particular problem though won't help much if you get another, different problem, later so as you say the best way to learn is to get your hands dirty yourself. Minors are really very easy to work on. If I can manage to change a coil, points & condensor and fit a new radiator, thermostat, starter motor, lights etc without anyone showing me how to do it I'm sure you'll be able to do it too I still use a garage for work on 'safety critical' areas like brakes etc or for things that I'm not confident about fixing myself or don't have the garage space or equipment for but have saved a lot of money over the years by fixing problems myself and it's a lot more satisfying than paying someone else to do the work for you - you just need to get a bit of confidence. Hopefully there's someone out there who can teach you the basics but I'd also suggest getting yourself a manual, opening the bonnet and identifying what all the parts are. I know some on here aren't fans of Haynes manuals but the 'owners workshop manual' includes photos & diagrams showing exactly how to fix some basic problems and also has a 'fault finding' table at the end of each chapter which I found really useful when learning the basics. Good luck

Thanks for that. You're right, I think it is just having the confidence to know what I'm doing. That's made worse by being scared to mess things up since I need the car for work. Anyway, I e-mailed Reg from the Avon branch earlier and he just rang me. We had a nice, long chat and it looks like he's going to teach me a few things. So thanks for all the help I've had on here, I really appreciate it all. Hopefully, that'll all go well and I'll be able to learn everything I need to know from him. So thanks again and as soon as I next get paid, I'll see about getting some of those books you mentioned.
Kayleigh

[LouiseM]

Glad to hear that you've got something sorted

as soon as I next get paid, I'll see about getting some of those books you mentioned.

I've got a spare copy of the Haynes workshop manual if you'd like it? It was in the boot when I bought my current Minor but I already had a copy. It's got a few greasy fingermarks on some of the pages but if you pm me your address I can post it to you.

[mike.perry]

Build yourself up a good collection of A/F and Whitworth spanners and sockets and other useful tools and carry them in a toolbox in the boot. The car will then think that you know what you are doing and will be less inclined to break down. It is all about showing who is in charge.
If all else fails give the hubcaps a good kicking, it won't fix the problem but will make you feel better

[LouiseM]

Build yourself up a good collection of A/F and Whitworth spanners and sockets and other useful tools and carry them in a toolbox in the boot.

I wouldn't recommend keeping all of your tools in the boot though as my toolbox was the only thing stolen when my car was broken into It's always wise to carry a few tools though - if only to have something to hit the fuel pump with when it stops working (better than using a shoe!). And it's a good idea to start to build up a collection of basic tools. You don't necessarily have to spend a lot of money - I got a huge box of different sized old spanners on e-bay for £3. The postage was £10 but it still worked out a bit of a bargain for over 40 spanners. Always takes a bit of time finding out which one fits the bolt I'm trying to undo but that's all part of the fun of working on a Minor

[pyebibby]

I have really enjoyed reading all your post, i can't wait too get under the bonnet of mine now and do exactly as you say! thank you everyone, don't wory kayliegh im in the exact same postion.
Happy motoring
Jamie

[davidpidge]

I didnt even know where to put water in the radiator a couple of years ago. (i'm not joking). Now I wouldnt have a problem with taking out the engine or re-building the suspension. I can change a trunnion in the dark now. With one arm tied behind my back! Theres nothing like experience. Even if you just get your head in the engine bay and, as someone has already said, go over it with a labelled photo and identify the parts and how they work together. I thought my Moggie had broken down last year. It sat in the street for 6 weeks then when I had time it turned out all it was, was the lead to the dizzy had corroded so there was no spark being prooduced! So simple but only when you know where to look! When in doubt, check for a spark! (And dont touch a HT lead when the engines running! It's a painful way to find out if its sparking!)

[SteveandKelly]

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[PhilR]

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