Wanting to learn - not sure where to start

[Bruenor]

Hello everyone. I'm hoping that someone can point me in the right direction here. First, I'm not mechanically inclined. I can build book shelves, frame out walls, wire electrical outlets, but when it comes to machines and engines I'm at a loss. Growing up my father never had any experience with machines/engines. He always took our cars/mowers/etc to someone to have them fixed.

Well, I want to learn. I have a gas trimmer that I can't get to start, a riding mower that the manual transmission won't engage, and two cars (one at 126,000 miles and the other at 155,000 miles) that I have paid off and want to keep running for a long time.

So what's the best way to learn how to work on these things? I have a friend who has helped me with my car before (brakes, belts), but he's a busy guy and I don't get to see him much. I'm thinking of starting with the trimmer since 1) I already can't use it since it won't start and 2) it's the cheapest thing to replace if I break it worse. Without someone showing me how to work on these things, what is the best way to learn?

Thanks!

[plowjockey]

I have been a life-long "shade tree" mechanic, but find the new stuff intimadating. I study the repair manuals and watch YouTube videos (there are plenty) on how to perform certain tasks on a particular vehicle, such as troubleshooting and replacing major engine/drivetrain components - step by step. Good stuff.

Same with carpentry work, such as roof shingle replacement , or setting ceramic tile.

There is a wealth of information out there.

[clovis]

I can't help much, but will offer these thoughts:

Good tools often make the world of difference, and are well worth the investment.

A $17 Wooster paint brush will allow you to cut a very tight line against wood trim or against a ceiling. A $4 brush is a piece of trash. If cleaned properly, a good brush will last a life time. I am still using the first Wooster brushes I bought 25 years ago.

A $3 roller cover is also worth the money, as well as a $10 to $15 roller frame. Cheap roller covers will splatter very badly, (cheap paint will do the same) but a good roller cover holds paint and applies paint evenly.

When I started repairing plaster walls in old homes, I couldn't figure out why my finish looked so bad, and why I had to keep working the plaster with more coats to get the wall to be smooth. I finally tossed the $2 trowel, and bought a Marshalltown trowel. It made me sick to pay $20 for a trowel, but the results in the finish are simply amazing. That $20 trowel increased my speed 100 fold, and my finished product VASTLY improved, with little or no touch up.

I'm not the guy who says that you have to have all the best when it comes to tools. A gold plated and diamond encrusted framing hammer drives nails just like a good Estwing does. Snap-on is probably the best of the best, but my Craftsman suits me just fine, and gets the job done. I don't turn wrenches enough to justify Snap-On.

But good tools do make a difference in your finished product. Many are too cheap to pay the price for good tools, and quite often, those good tools are what allows you to achieve great results in your work.

I try to use tools that the pro's use. There is a reason that the pro's buy good tools, and think nothing of it. If you take care of those tools, they will last a lifetime.

Buying quality tools only hurts once.

[Bluecometk]

There is a thread down the page a bit called (Learning to fix cars). This thread has some great info and ideas as do the above posts. Give it a read and see if it gives you some direction.

Just my two cents.

[Snowfan]

String trimmer is as good a place to start as any. Like Clovis said, good tools do make a difference. Two things you have going for you are time (you aren't trying to meet a deadline) and the desire to learn. Gather what information you can about the trimmer, figure out where the problem could be (electrical, fuel, mechanical), and go from there. Just don't get frustrated too quick. If you do, just walk away from it for a while. It's not rocket science and no one will die if you screw up. Have fun with it.

[Dixie Bee Acres]

I will second what Snowfan said and back it up with,
If you do get it running, pat yourself on the back, grab your tools and come over to my place. I have a small 2 cycle mini roti-tiller that completely quit on me and I cant figure it out for the life of me.

[simi-steading]

As a mechanic for years, I can't quite comprehend not being able to fix things... but the best things I can offer are:

Read up on the basics of engines, and understand well how they operate and the basic principles. Understand the differences between two cycle and 4 cycle.. Your trimmer is most likely 2 cycle.

Be very observant about how things come apart and pay close attention.. Some times taking things apart half way, then reassembling them, then go a step or two further the next time, and put it back together without taking it all the way apart will really help understand how to disassemble and reassemble.. I do this often when I take apart a new gun I have never disassembled before and am not familiar with...

Lay things out in order if you are unfamiliar with it when taking it apart..

Try and have a manual handy.. Some times you need to pay close attention to tolerances and torque values and such. Only a manual will have these..

Have the right tools for the job.. .There's nothing more frustrating than trying to make do with something. On top of that, a good chance you will damage a part if you don't have the right tool.

Now a rider transmission, you're getting into a whole different realm... If you pay real close attention, and know the difference of the look between a good part, and a worn part, then you may have a chance.. BUT, there are often spacers, small springs and detente balls that you do run the risk of missing or losing...

I'd repaired a whole lot of rider transmissions.. most are pretty straight forward, but you do have to be real careful and lay things out in order as you take them apart, and watch for some of those small parts.

[simi-steading]

Oh.. some things to look for on the trimmer to maybe help you..

First off, does it have good compression? If so, pull the muffler off it and check the spark arrestor screen (if it has one) to see it's not plugged and look into the port on the engine and make sure the cylinder and piston aren't scored... I've also seern muffle ports plugged with carbon..

If everything there is fine, then check for spark.. Pull the plug, leave the wire on it, and ground the plug to the engine block... Pull the rope.. you should see spark. If not, then try a new plug.

If spark is good, then you need to look at the fuel lines, the fuel pickup in the tank and if those are good, then at the carb...

The order of trouble shooting is important.. if you start messing with the carb, then find out the engine is scored, you just wasted a lot of time.. UNLESS, you used that time to understand how your carb is put together and works..

[Bruenor]

Thanks for all of the information. I will try my hand at the trimmer first and go from there. I'm thinking that the mower will be a good project for winter. I'll put it in my garage, set up a heater, and try and figure out how the thing works. The best part is since it already doesn't work, anything that I do will be an improvement (at the very least from an educational stand point).

[Nimrod]

The best way to learn is to do. I suggest getting a digital camera and taking pictures as you take something apart. If you forget how something went together you can refer to the pictures. Lots of info on Youtube.

On the trimmer; check the compression and spark. If they are good then rebuild the carb. This is easy to do and is the problem with most small engines. Pick up a 1 gallon can of carb cleaner and a compressor. Bring the carb with you to the small engine repair store and get a carb kit for it. Take the carb apart and follow the directions on the cleaner. Blow it out with the compressor. Put it back together with the new parts from the kit. The new carbs don't have any adjustments for you to worry about.

If you need to buy tools, don't buy the cheapy Harbor Freight ones. They don't last. The best deal is a complete tool kit from Craftsman at Sears. The warranty is good and most are replaced if they break.

Good luck

[farminghandyman]

My opinion,

first there are principals of mechanical actions,

for example, an engine operates by a vaporized gas being ignited, resulting in a regulated explosion/burn.
that the burnt gases expand, resulting in pressure build up, moving the piston down, thus turning the crank, and either momentum and or additional cylinders continue the rotation of the crank thus the engine is running,

included in that are valves that allow the air and gas in to the cylinder, and the exhaust valve that let the burnt gas out,

then there is the timing of the system and the system that ignites the gas in the cylinder,

you have timing and process going on all at the same time, I think one needs a basic under standing of the systems and how they relate to each other, to under stand the engine,
and then how the system break down, and how to deal the systems when they do not work and what to do to make them work,

IN my opinion one needs to start out simple, such as a studying a small engine like a small Honda or Briggs the same principles that make a small motor run is the same as the cars, but the parts are some what different, but they do the same thing and some of the way it is done is different, but it is similar, (the different of a points system and electronic).

but there are (what I call external) things, replacing a belt, or spark plugs, changing oil, and other things that are not deep engine repairs, but maintance type items, where one needs to have some idea of the systems but not nessarly a full understanding of how it works to be able to work on it some,
most are just mechanical process,

the thing one has to day is the internet, most any repair one can find a U tube or a discussion on some board that will give step by step to most things that a home mechanic can do,

having the proper tools helps a lot, and some times it may take numerous tools for a simple job, the newer cars seem to take a lot of wrenches to be able to reach and remove the bolts and nuts necessary, and some times even special tools for some places,

I wish you well,

[Bruenor]

Well I just watched a couple of you tube videos on trimmer maintenance and repair. I will see this weekend if it is as easy as they made it look.

[Snowfan]

I used to be of the opinion that if it doesn't work, go ahead and try to fix it. What could it hurt. I don't believe that anymore. Years ago I did my engineering internship at a hospital. Fire alarm system wasn't working in one zone. I should have never put my jumpers on those 2 terminals. I was very popular for a while. Not liked, but popular.

[Rollochrome]

Another vote for Youtube.

It is the 2nd most used search engine on the net.

[swamp man]

What is the brand and model of the trimmer?

[dirtman]

Your best friend is your camera. As you disassemble take pictures of where everything was when you started and at each step. Most engines are not that complicated. You need spark. a cheap tester will help but usually enough dark and an eyeball will suffice. You need fuel. Goose the accelerator linkage and look into the throat of the carb to see if gas is squirting into it. Rebuilding the carb can be a little tricky on some things but there are only a few parts in it that usually need replacement and are readily available. Just don't get too heavy handed with the screwdriver. Your cars are probably computer controlled fuel injection. You probably won't be tackling that yourself.

[jwal10]

Find a forum and ask questions. There is a forum for everything and people want to help and share. A good manual for the model is always good, check the troubleshooting section. Basic understanding of how things work helps....James

[Joel_BC]

I'm no gifted mechanic, and I've had an oddly shaped slice of experience with cars, chainsaws, lawn mowers, trimmers, etc. I've learned quite a bit from some of the guys who've already posted on this thread (they've posted answers to my questions - thanks, again).

Here's one excellent Youtube video source about small engines, including 2-cycle engines and trimmers:

http://www.youtube.com/user/donyboy73?feature=g-user-u
Guy is a pro who uploads accurate, helpful info. Teaches what he knows in a friendly way and at a relaxed pace. Hundreds of video uploads.

[DJ in WA]

With patience and persistence, you can fix anything. A lot of guys that aren't necessarily real smart will get stuff fixed just because they stick with it long enough to figure it out.

Unfortunately, I am not blessed with a lot of patience. Sometimes when I get frustrated, I just have to walk away for awhile, and often another approach or idea comes to mind. Or I watch another video and something finally clicks.

Realize that everyone has to start somewhere. If you keep at it, each experience builds up, and the next time gets easier.

[Old Vet]

One thing to remember is that a part will go back and forth or around. When you look at the motor try to find a part and see whether it goes around or back and forth. Then you need to figure out how far. That is the mechanical part then you need ot look at electrical parts. Most of the repair manuals will tell you how far and when it should move and any adustment.