Teaching Myself: Engine Components.

[thatcarchick]

I'm new to the car scene to be completely honest, have always been a spectator. Now I want to get my a$$ out of the drivers seat and my hands into the engine bay and am teaching myself with a little help from some friends. Before I dig to far I want to educate myself on what I'm working with and simply searching it hasn't done me much good so here is a few questions I want answers to and I will compile further information from there. Once I have all the info I'm looking for here and detail it a little further, I will post it if anyone is interested.

What are that standard parts of an engine? The 4G63 to be specific. I know a few, but would like a complete list.

 

[Absit]

Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & more
Buy a book.

http://www.amazon.com/Max-Performance-Mitsubishi-Engines-Design-Performance/dp/1932494626
DSM Specific.

Virtual Tour of the DSM Engine Bay - Top index
And use this.

And finally, if you're a real badass, go into a local performance shop (or repair shop if you want to be a little better versed and don't mind the mundane boring repair stuff) and offer to work for free. I did the performance shop, I like building more than fixing. The downside is I didn't learn to do a lot of basic repair stuff that I should have first. I tend to learn backwards though, that's just how I roll.

 

[thatcarchick]

Fair enough. Thank-you.

 

[Absit]

Oh, and read every tech article..

..twice.

 

[thatcarchick]

Oddly, I intend to. I actually am grateful. I never had anyone to teach me and finally realized that isn't an excuse so I intend to teach myself. Virtual tour is bookmarked.

 

[Absit]

I'm in the same boat. The process I told you is almost exactly what I did, except I didn't buy the books until later. Like I said, I learn backwards.

And really, do volunteer at a shop, even if all they let you do is take out the trash and organize tools. When I started the guy said I'd be organizing tools, that lasted about 3 minutes and I was elbow-deep in pulling a 6 bolt.

 

[thatcarchick]

I would love that. =)) I live in Grand Rapids and there are a good amount of shops around here that might let me help out and volunteer when I have time. I work third shift so it shouldn't be too hard to find time during the day. I didn't even think of doing that.

 

[Absit]

I didn't even think of doing that.

No one ever suspects an apprenticeship.

 

[thatcarchick]

I'm feeling pretty blonde right now.... Haha. That virtual tour is amazing, thanks again! I'm out.

 

[MrBoxx]

If you're in Grand Rapids, and you REALLY want to get a job at a repair shop... maybe just as a general service (oil changes, brake inspections, tires, etc.) just to start learning repair stuff and work under some certified auto technicians, I could probably give you a referral to one of my company's stores. But it wouldn't be exciting "go-fast" work. When I first started as a salesman, I didn't know what a tie rod end was or how it worked, and I sold them as a parts seller for almost two years. Now, I have my toolbox in the shop because I have more tools than some of my technicians, AND I know more about repairs than some of them, just by watching experienced guys and asking them questions about "Why is that thing there?" and "When the car does THIS, why does THAT happen?" If you get a good person to take you under their wing, you'll learn everything you want to know quickly.

One good way of starting to learn what everything does is to go through your engine bay and take apart and clean everything you possibly can. Get on the VFAQ and the Virtual Tour, or have a DSM-experience buddy help you out and pick a corner of your engine bay to dismantle, clean, rebuild, repair, etc. everything you can. Then, when the time comes for you to fix or upgrade something, you've already been through it once, know where everything is (or if someone before you removed something) and chances are the bolts and brackets won't be totally rusted. That wouldn't happen in Michigan, would it?

 

[Absit]

I should specify that I was talking about going in and working for free with no intention of actually getting hired. If you're seeking a career in this field, by all means MrBoxx has the way to go, networking and all. That said, I've been offered a job a few times. As it is now I go in when I want and work on what I want - it's perfect for me.

 

[MrBoxx]

Good call. I kinda skipped over the part where you mentioned going in for free. That brings up a good point, however. When you do something for a living, you're less likely to do it for fun. I hardly ever want to work on my own cars anymore, but I'm always willing to lend a hand working on other people's cars at work. Odd, but true. Volunteering your free time is a good way to get in, though. In this kind of economy if you're willing to work for free, no shop in their right mind would turn you down.

 

[thatcarchick]

I am currently in Nursing and love the field but cars are a passion of mine. If you know anyone that is looking for someone motivated but full of questions I will PM you my contact info to give them. I am willing to volunteer my time as able and will simply accept the knowledge as payment.

 

[JusMX141]

I am currently in Nursing and love the field but cars are a passion of mine.

How do you believe that dirt under the fingernails and in the cracks of your hand's skin will be accepted in the nursing community?

 

[delta448]

Jus, I just wear nitrile gloves (that come from an ironic source), ...and buy GoJo by the barrell.

 

[thatcarchick]

Dawn dish soap does wonders and I wash my hands so much at work they will be nice and clean. Screw the gloves, I like the feel of the grease in my hands. I'm not the princess kind.

 

[g4ebguy90]

I think before you start ripping into your engine. You should learn your abc's.

Oil change, Tune up, Fluid changes, filters, belts etc etc. You get the idea.

But that's just what I would say to someone in your position. It takes years to learn, you won't learn everything in just 1 year.

 

[thatcarchick]

I know how to do most of those things and I know it will take a long time, but I'm up for it.

 

[Absit]

Dawn dish soap does wonders and I wash my hands so much at work they will be nice and clean. Screw the gloves, I like the feel of the grease in my hands. I'm not the princess kind.

I strongly suggest the gloves.. You'll have to try a few before you find some that won't break every time a gentle breeze crosses your hands. You may want the grease now, but that shit doesn't come off after a single washing, or even after a few days sometimes.

I actually order my gloves online, Raven brand, that's how important it is.

 

[thatcarchick]

I will keep that in mind and will probably learn the hard way, but I'm literally a hands on person. No matter what I'm doing I like to feel the pieces and the tools in my hands. Sounds funny but I feel like gloves cloud up what I'm working on... Maybe its that Im a little ADD, I have a hard time concentrating when listening to music too. However will note the brand if I decide to order them.

 

[ChiTownHussla]

Yo Mrboxx. Hook me up in Chicago . Its not that far