WTF are they teaching them?

[Marmalade]

Son just called, his ped won't start.

I asked him if he's checked for a spark, ummm, how do i do that came the reply.

Now this from any 17yo may not be an issue but he's just started his second year of a full time mechanics course at college.

After a bit of pissed of questioning it seems their fault finding skills come down to finding the plug under the dash to connect the laptop to the car.

My wipers don't work... ok i'll just plug in my laptop

WTF !!!
no wonder there is such bloody shoddy garages/workshops around if they can't teach basic sodding fault finding. It's the basis on what makes engines work and if they're not even taught the basics of it they'll never be a mechanic.

Computer says your car is fine, drive it away sir.

ffs

/rant
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[DrDonnyBrago]

Can't say I am all that surprised though.

[Daimo]

Ah but.....

Did YOU ever take the opportunity to teach your own child about basic mechanics when starting to ride his bike.

Or you blaming it totally on the college?

[The Artist]

[Nope.]

Personally I taught myself mechanics through the power of investigation (and the internet!).

Perhaps you should spend a few hours with your son going over the basics?

Diagnostics computers are very well and good but whenever I've had a problem with one of my cars/friends cars the computer has always said its fine or given a completely unrelated problem.
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[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Poor parenting.
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[mistergixer]

Not really surprised TBH.

I learnt basic spannering from helping my Dad, he learnt basic spannering from hanging around the garages at Croft and making a nuisance of himself until they let him help out.

My eldest lad (12) is basically fucking lazy, and has no desire to learn about anything beyond TV, Playstation games and mobile phones. When I suggested he might like to try using a pump on the flat tyre on his pushbike last week, he looked at me like I'd suggested he climb Everest. He would've just left it in the back garden until it miraculously fixed itself, and if it didn't I reckon he'd never have touched it again.


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[Nope.]

[Rogerborg]

Agreed, I blame the parents.

Although on the bright side, you probably haven't verified that he's really the fruit of your loins.
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[LordShaftesbu...]

How DO you check for a spark, just out of curiosity?

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Put your tongue on it and hit the starter. Works for me.
____________________
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[The Artist]

You stick your finger in the spark plug cap and touch the engine with your other hand. Then turn the engine over and see if you can feel it.

[J4mes]

My old man would buy me things, but then it was up to me to keep them running, repaired and maintained.

He'd help me, show me how to do things, even lend me his tools until I was working and could afford my own, but he never did any of it for me.

Started with the simple things like repairing radio controlled cars (which I was in to racing as a lad), punctures on bikes, new brake cables/blocks or whatever, up to doing the servicing/repairs/brakes on my first cars.

It gave me the confidence to tackle jobs (with the help of the haynes book of lies or internet guides) in order to keep my motors on the road.

Difference now is that I have a Discovery 3 which is highly complex, and while simple tasks such as brakes, servicing etc are easy enough, any fault finding on the electrical side requires diagnostic equipment as it is just far too difficult for a normal DIY mechanic.

I disturbed the rear ABS sensor while changing the brakes last year, and it caused the following issues: No Abs, No EBD, No traction control, No low range box, No air suspension changes, No Terrain response settings, No Diff Lock available. Now, Because I knew I'd been in the brakes, I just went round and checked everything again, and found a connector had come loose. If a vehicle had come to me like that, I'd have had no idea what to do but plugging in the diagnostic machine would tell you the fault straight away - "OSR ABS Sensor Open Circuit"

I expect this is what your boy is being set up for, as practically any car built in the last decade doesn't use relays or bulky electronics but ECU's and control modules which are impossible to test without the correct equipment. Sure a job at a backstreet garage may require knowledge of carbs, dizzy's and drum brakes, jobs at dealerships generally do not!

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[LordShaftesbu...]

Well that's 3 completely different methods, they can't all be right ...

Will a spark plug fit a laptop USB socket? I bet that's the answer. My mate is in the Parkalgar Honda team and he uses a laptop for everything.

[The Artist]

Tongue or finger method ftw. The petrol tank one isn't as good.

[Marmalade]

ok, it's my fault the college teaches the students fuck all about their intended profession.

I didn't think of that, lucky he doesn't want to be a doctor i know fuck all about stuff like that.

I live 60 miles away from him and only in the last few years got to see him at all without supervision as she was so sure me and my woman were going to run off into the sunset so we could play happy families.

Going round there isn't much of an option, especially not with tools at hand as the hammer would surely land itself in her face after a short time of her constant bitching and whining.

Anyway.

If i had the cash i'd but a proper car he could come down here and have a play with but i don't and he's not touching by car, I do like it to run.
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[hellbound]

[Daimo]

tbh, isn't some of it common sense?

I.E my first ped. riding home intermittent power loss. Got worse and worse....

ok, its not fuel, so lets think logically and check the spark first. Open front of engine bay, ahhhhhhhhh sparek plug wire's corroded, that'll be why..

Electrical tape, connect the wire, wrap in tape. Sorted for anothe month or two till it wears out again...

Noisy exhaust loosing power. Stop off at halfords, find a hole the size of to 50p's. But exhaust filler, fill exhaust, let harden, ride home and sort properly.

Sometimes, its natural common sense. but having a BASIC understanding of what your doing is partly down the parents to teach it and not just ignore it and wait for someone else to teach. Look after your own children.

[Daimo]

[james1988]

[Kickstart]

[panrider_uk]

[Daimo]

[james1988]