Where to start

[steve852]

Hey all. As I'm now officially saving for a DeLorean (im at just over £4k so far) I figure im going to need to become pretty proficient at car maintainance and mechanics by the time I get one. I had a good 'ol chinwag with a D owner and club member last year when I went over to see his car, and he described how he started out not knowing much at all about cars but has now become pretty savvy and completed a number of maintainance jobs himself.

Now here's the problem; I find the prospect of learning this stuff pretty, well, intimidating! As a 21st Century member of society I'm used to fiddling with spreadsheets rather than engines, and databases rather than chassis. So, that said, I'd really just like some advice; where do I start??

I don't have a D yet, and I doubt Honda would think kindly towards me tinkering with the CR-Z I'm leasing from them. And even if I did have a D, I wouldnt want to just start going at it with a wrench and a caffene fix! So what do you recommend? I'd really appriciate any advice anyone has to give, or personal experiences of where you started.

Cheers, Steve

[Chris Williams]

You could try getting something like Practical Classics magazine that gives lots of info and goes through how to fix things. Or how I did it. just pull everything to bits and try to put them back together again! from the age of 6! As someone who fixes (or tries :? ) to fix them everyday all cars are the same really even the most modern ones. Otherwise find a neighbour who will let you help/watch change brake pads etc, buy a scrap engine and take it to bits.....
Chris

[Mrdashbo]

I totally agree with Chris, I did the same just have a go and you'll find that they are quite simple to work on. Having had my Delorean for 6 months I have yet to find a job that I can't do.

Mike

[steve852]

Thats great, cheers. I reckon buying an old scrap engine would be a pretty good idea actually, never thought about that. I just bought a book off amazon about maintainance and repair of classic cars, so hopefully that'll have some good info.

I keep seeing these blokes taking the top half of the D off the chassie, and it's really impressive. Must take a lot of confidence to do something like that. I'd imagine it would be pretty hard to remember where everything goes! Are there any blue prints showing how the D is wired / fixed together available to buy?

[Chris Williams]

http://www.dmctalk.com/showthread.php?t=7194
Can be purchased from Ebay as well,
Also some 'how to's on our own forum
plus a load more hear; http://www.dmctalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=38
Most give very good and clear details of 'how to' do things.

There are lots of engines on Ebay, you would be able to pick up a duff one fairly cheap. An old Ford Pinto is a good basic one, failing that a Rover 'K' series is a good example of a fairly modern engine that should be cheap, as they chew head gaskets and are often replaced!


Chris

[stunned_monkey]

No matter how complicated the job, it's always only a matter of one nut, one bolt, one hose, one connector at a time. If you can cope with undoing one nut, one bolt and one hose or one connector and can remember which order you did it you should be fine.

Yes you'll need tools, a jack and a good dollop of common sense, but with the advice on the forums for those areas of specialist knowledge and experience where things don't go according to the "lego" plan, you should be fine.

I never really worked on cars till I bought my DeLorean. The "red letter day" came when I realised I could either fix the car myself so I could carry on driving it, or I could let it sit there for months till I could afford to pay someone else. So I took the plunge and have never looked back since.

[Guinney1971]

well said Martin! Even though I dont get much tinkering time these days with an
inquisitive toddler in tow, I've always enjoyed at least 'having a go' at fixing my
car(s) before giving up and letting someone with bigger muscles then me sort it :lol:

[Rich Hanlon]

Same here, it started as a financial necessity and I quickly found that I couldn't understand what all the fuss was about, and before you know it, you're relatively proficient in these matters, compared with the rest of the population. A lot can't be learned in advance but only 'in situ', such as accessing awkward areas etc - and you soon develop techniques and indeeed confidence. Start with some decent-ish though relatively basic spanners (ideally open-ended at one end and ring at the other), and a basic socket set - then just top up as you go along and you need other bits.

I also find that at least 50% of the difficult with the job is being a**ed to start it, once you're actually at it, you're on your way.

You will also find a great deal of satisfaction in doing things yourself too - at least I do. Knowing you've saved a fortune helps with this! And before long, you can apply these skills to servicing your modern everyday car, and save a fortune there too - so that £300 service might cost you £50 in actual bits - so that's another £250 towards the DMC!!

Left-loosey, righty-tighty. All you need to know!!

[Mrdashbo]

Very wise words Rich.

[Mrdashbo]

While we are on the subject of repairs I'm doing my drive shaft seals on Saturday. Got my parts, jack, stands and all. My question is where when jacking up the Dmc from the rear do you put the jack stands?

Mike

[Chris Williams]

Quote:You will also find a great deal of satisfaction in doing things yourself too - at least I do

more importantly 'properly'

Chris