How good of a mechanic are you?

[ZZman]

I know skills range from little to much. Please tell us where you think you fall in your automotive skills:
1. None
2. Some
3. Decent shade tree mechanic
4. Really good shade tree
5. I am a mechanic
6. I am a master mechanic

I consider myself a decent shade tree mechanic but probably only because of YouTube help videos.

 

[Lubener]

A really good shade tree mechanic. I haven't needed a mechanic to do any work for me since the early 90's.

 

[sohccammer427]

If it's bolted to the engine I'm fairly proficient, internals not so much.

 

[B1974]

I'm a better then average shade tree mechanic. I know enough not to touch AC, ABS systems and transmission work.

 

[Passport1]

5. fifty years ago
3. now

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Currently: 2
Possible: 3 with tools and software.

 

[JavierH19]

Most likely a 3.

 

[dbias]

I'm a 3. I wisely don't mess with transmissions other than fluid and filter. Everything else I've pretty much done at one time or another.
Having the right tools is as important as how much you know.

 

[tasch72]

3 ish at home.

Stick me in a decent shop, I can do everything but weld and rebuild drivetrains.

 

[Snagglefoot]

3. I do stuff bolted to the engine, water pump, alternators, power steering pumps and hoses, spark plugs, fluid changes in diffs, transfer cases etc, and am recently into suspensions, brakes, shocks, swap in car stereos, rotate tires and such. I’ve completely pulled and rebuilt one engine, and pulled heads on another for reconditioning. I also have done pan drops. I recently did a master brake cylinder which means undoing and tightening brake lines which to me is a definite jump from a 2 to a 3. Your life depends on the properly tightened connection! I have a heated garage so I can go all winter. I can also check out the hoists at U Wrench in Calgary if I have another excuse to drive the four hours to get there. The trick I think is to be willing to drive vehicles old enough that it needs that maintenance. Good thread.

 

[supton]

A solid 2? I can follow simple directions, but lately I've elected to not bother on some things. A pro will do it better. When I was a teenager I'd do more, these days I'm not sure I'm wiser but I'm sure more reluctant.

Most I've done is a timing belt on my 5S-FE. My driveway never looked the same afterward.

 

[RooflessVW]

5 to 6

 

[CharBaby]

I am a better mechanic than many who do it for a living, which is just one reason I do my own work.

 

[Aichiguy]

I'd say a 3.

 

[Number_35]

I'm likely a 3 - probably fairly typical for a non-professional on BITOG.

 

[andyd]

Just oil and filters so far on the Camrys. Have to rotate tires and inspect brakes.

 

[doitmyself]

Probably a solid 3. I am definitely a jack of many trades, master of none. I often get frustrated at how slow I am. I mean, really slow. But, I can, and sometimes do tackle some very huge challenges that even surprises me. Often, the learning curve is steep. I guess self satisfaction trumps the time vs. money aspect. I also mistakenly think that master tradesmen (plumber, electrician, whatever) would also do a lot of their own work at home with other things like automotive, carpentry, etc.. I am surprised how often these geniuses of their trade claim to leave things like spark plug changes to the experts. Maybe it's just that they have so much money that they can afford to farm out life's other necessities.

Yea, several hours for a front brake job for me vs. 1 hour or less for a pro. A contractor once told me that he could tell that I did the attic insulation in our house........it was WAY too neat.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Generally a 3. I'm more limited by space, proper tools, time and patience to get too involved in anything serious.

 

[bullwinkle]

I know which end of a screwdriver to use! I'm a great mechanic!!
Seriously, a 3 to a 4, although I think I'm decent on what I work on for a living, I would say a 5 to 6 on restaurant equipment & ice cream machines I'm familiar with (25 years experience) INCLUDING the infamous Taylor McDonald's shake/sundae machines (one of my specialties). Cars & trucks have gotten immensely more complicated since I was young in the early '80s, can't hotwire one with a jumper wire & a screwdriver any more...

 

[wings&wheels]

pretty darn good for someone highly trained.........in finance