Anyone willing to teach me to work on my car?

MAE90M3 · 01-18-2022, 02:57 PM

I've been wanting to learn to do work on my car, but I'm someone who learns best by being shown how to do something. I've watched countless youtube videos and read a bunch of DIYs, but at the end of the day I lack the faith in myself to tackle this on my own.

I want to replace my fuel injectors (there aren't any issues, I just want to replace them after 14 years and 127k miles). It seems like a good first project to do without needing to get under the car. I live in the Boston area and would be willing to drive to whoever is willing to teach me. Of course I'd supply the beer, too. Is anyone willing to help me out?

pbonsalb · 01-31-2022, 03:29 PM

I sold my 08E90M3 last May after 10 years or I would have invited you when doing projects. Always good to help and watch to learn a bit of you need to get your confidence up, though plenty have just jumped in and done stuff. I remember years ago sometimes breaking stuff while trying to fix stuff. Maybe PM Danny (who wrote the rod bearing DIY thread) to see if you can tag along the next time he helps someone with a rod bearing job. He is in CT.

SCREAM3R · 01-31-2022, 03:55 PM

I’m constantly tinkering with one of my cars, if you weren’t on the other side of the country I’d say come on over!

Mr. BMW · 02-02-2022, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCREAM3R

I’m constantly tinkering with one of my cars, if you weren’t on the other side of the country I’d say come on over!

Why are you creeping on our forum if you are in Cali?

MAE90M3 · 02-02-2022, 06:15 PM

I think it was kind of him to offer

Mr. BMW · 02-03-2022, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAE90M3

I think it was kind of him to offer

I would offer but other than change out the grills and gills I haven't done anything to the car myself.
I might attempt to do the rear brakes this summer...

jp1984 · 03-10-2022, 01:05 PM

How dirty do you want to get?

Also,

Why dont you offer to help other people with their car? I don't think you meant it this way, but asking someone to teach you to work on your car sounds weird.

Instead, I would suggest you offer

"I want to pick up automotive skills, can I offer a set of hands while you do some service so I can learn at the same time"

Keep in mind certain skills transfer, most brake jobs are pretty similar, though not exact. You may learn how to fix the brakes on your BMW by helping someone else with their Civic. Do you see what I am saying?

That comes across from more of a place of "How can I help you, and benefit from it?" and not "Hey my windsheild pump went out, will someone come over and show me how to fix it?" That is what youtube is for my friend.

DRLane · 03-10-2022, 01:21 PM

^^

Alternatively, offer to pay someone that's willing to let you help with the install.

jp1984 · 03-10-2022, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRLane

^^

Alternatively, offer to pay someone that's willing to let you help with the install.

My other suggestion was going to be to find an Indy shop and offer to work for free.

I think some people forget (not you) that when you are learning the first things you are learning is differences between sockets and an open ended socket wrench and when and why you are using either tool at any time.

If you are starting at the beginning, start at the beginning. Change your air filter, thats like 10 torx screws on and off.

K&N air filter was the first mod on my Mustang when I was younger, I just looked at how it was connecting and went to work on it. I am pretty sure that added like 75whp..

spammysammich · 03-10-2022, 02:10 PM

I found it very difficult to find any shop willing to let me on the garage floor for liability reasons. Even when I was working directly with the guy that ran the BMW side of the house at an indy on my own car. Management found out and put an end to it citing insurance.

DRLane · 03-10-2022, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spammysammich

I found it very difficult to find any shop willing to let me on the garage floor for liability reasons. Even when I was working directly with the guy that ran the BMW side of the house at an indy on my own car. Management found out and put an end to it citing insurance.

For sure! This needs to be an independent mechanic or off the property of their employer.

01-18-2022, 02:57 PM	#1
MAE90M3 Private First Class 79 Rep 135 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Anyone willing to teach me to work on my car? I've been wanting to learn to do work on my car, but I'm someone who learns best by being shown how to do something. I've watched countless youtube videos and read a bunch of DIYs, but at the end of the day I lack the faith in myself to tackle this on my own. I want to replace my fuel injectors (there aren't any issues, I just want to replace them after 14 years and 127k miles). It seems like a good first project to do without needing to get under the car. I live in the Boston area and would be willing to drive to whoever is willing to teach me. Of course I'd supply the beer, too. Is anyone willing to help me out?
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01-31-2022, 03:29 PM	#2
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 6367 Rep 11,958 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	I sold my 08E90M3 last May after 10 years or I would have invited you when doing projects. Always good to help and watch to learn a bit of you need to get your confidence up, though plenty have just jumped in and done stuff. I remember years ago sometimes breaking stuff while trying to fix stuff. Maybe PM Danny (who wrote the rod bearing DIY thread) to see if you can tag along the next time he helps someone with a rod bearing job. He is in CT.
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01-31-2022, 03:55 PM	#3
SCREAM3R Private 65 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW M3 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: California iTrader: (1)	I’m constantly tinkering with one of my cars, if you weren’t on the other side of the country I’d say come on over!
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02-02-2022, 06:15 PM	#5
MAE90M3 Private First Class 79 Rep 135 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	I think it was kind of him to offer
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03-10-2022, 01:05 PM	#7
jp1984 Lieutenant 517 Rep 551 Posts Drives: an E92 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: under the hood again iTrader: (0)	How dirty do you want to get? Also, Why dont you offer to help other people with their car? I don't think you meant it this way, but asking someone to teach you to work on your car sounds weird. Instead, I would suggest you offer "I want to pick up automotive skills, can I offer a set of hands while you do some service so I can learn at the same time" Keep in mind certain skills transfer, most brake jobs are pretty similar, though not exact. You may learn how to fix the brakes on your BMW by helping someone else with their Civic. Do you see what I am saying? That comes across from more of a place of "How can I help you, and benefit from it?" and not "Hey my windsheild pump went out, will someone come over and show me how to fix it?" That is what youtube is for my friend.
	Appreciate 1 DRLane4224.50 Quote

03-10-2022, 01:21 PM	#8
DRLane Brigadier General 4225 Rep 3,589 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Colorado iTrader: (23)	^^ Alternatively, offer to pay someone that's willing to let you help with the install. __________________ Not a Doctor, those are just my initials.
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03-10-2022, 02:10 PM	#10
spammysammich Major 2358 Rep 1,494 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 M3 Dakar Yellow II Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Edmonds, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [10.00]	I found it very difficult to find any shop willing to let me on the garage floor for liability reasons. Even when I was working directly with the guy that ran the BMW side of the house at an indy on my own car. Management found out and put an end to it citing insurance.
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