Hey everyone --

Like many other people, I am getting into the spirit of becoming an amateur mechanic, at least specifically on the S2000. I had an idea today that might be interesting. I'm posting it to Under the Hood because I'd like to hear comments from everyone -- but the idea itself is rather geographically limited.

I've considered asking a Honda dealership (such as Hopkins, since they've been so kind to us recently) to put on a sort of "S2000 class" in their big fancy garage. I was thinking $50-$100 a head at most, maybe even less, for an all-day (or 2-day?) session in which they show us the following stuff:

1) Replacing consumables (all fluids, filters, rotors, pads, shocks, struts, CV joints, etc.) and doing routine maintenance.
2) Disassembly of major components (clutch, brakes, maybe even the tranny and diff).
3) Tuning (valves, etc.)

They might not get any more of us in for our 15k services after they've let on all their secrets, but they can rest assured we'll come to them for everything else we ever need!

If I see enough interest, I'll go bug some dealerships to see if they'll go for it.

- Warren

 

BTW, I'm not implying that one can learn how to fix broken transmissions with a day or two in the garage -- the emphasis would be on routine maintenance and easy repairs -- things a person could do in a home garage with a modest set of tools and some jackstands. For things like transmissions and diffs, it'd be just a kind of show-and-tell session, so we can all appreciate our automobiles (and our mechanics) more.

- Warren

 

Hmmm, I wonder how open they would be to this idea. I myself am also heading down that road of learning as Keith stated in the other thread. I'm willing to give things a try and if I end up scratching my head alot, its only a tow around the corner at worst.

I'd definately be interested in the idea of Hopkins putting something like this together though. Hell, even when I do take my car in for service there I've always wanted to just hang out in the garage with the mechanic and observe, but never did ask them about such. If they're willing to do this, I'm willing to pay the bucks. It won't stop me from bringing the car in either. Especially as I'm a newb I might perform all my 15k service things myself then ask them to go over it and grade me and bill me if need be.

I like my S too much to let it go to pieces, but I'd also like to, ahem, get closer to it, you know.

I had thought about using my old Neon as a learning car, but as soon as I open the hood all I see is piles of dirt and grease and I've no desire to muck around in that mess. This was after the dealership practically rebuilt my engine since my bonehead roommate blew it up for me. The S on the other hand is clean and I intend to keep it that way, so it's the one I'm gonna be doing my work on. The Neon can sit in the street and rot for all I care at this point. [I'm sure Pellis would agree with the rotting Neon.]

The idea of a vocational class at a nearby school wasn't a bad one either, it'd be more exciting todo as a group though. I think, we all seem to enjoy hanging out and learning together.

Lastly, anything we can do with the dealer to get closer to them and letting them know just how much we appreciate our cars and their assistance is a good thing in my book.

 

Jay,

Good thoughts! The pure economics might make it tough, anyway -- even at $100 a head, and 20 people, it'd only be $2k profit for the dealership. They often make more than that selling a single car, and it doesn't take all day. They'd have to be doing it because they like us Bay Area S2000 folks, not because they want money.

I REALLY like your idea about the "group vocational class." Good lord we're a bunch of nerds, aren't we? But it would be fun. If anyone who's lived around here for a decent period of time has any suggestions on schools, your input would be appreciated.

- Warren

 

I would guess that..

1) A dealership would not want the risk of 'teaching' people anything.
2) A dealership is not motivated to show you how to stop coming to them.
3) You will seldom have the same facilities available so you will not learn how to do it at home.
4) Disassembly and tuning is too involved and time consuming for a DIY class.

A tech session with a more experienced owner is probably where you want to start.

 

cdelena,

1) What risk?
2) Understood.
3) I was talking about simple jobs, like doing 15k service, changing fluids, pads -- and maybe adjusting valves. Nothing that necessarily requires a lift, or any other garage-quality equipment.
4) Pretty much agreed.

On that note... does anyone want to host a owner-to-owner tech session? Does anyone want to volunteer to teach at a session?

...it was just an idea...

- Warren

 

Liability.. the customer that screws up and files suit (or just complains) that 'Honda' taught them wrong. Don't worry, it won't happen because I doubt you will find a dealership that will put themselves in that spot.

 

Warren,

sylvainsf hosts Bay Area tech days. That's a good time to learn about your car. You might want to post this in the Bay Area forum and I bet we can get lots of knowledgable people together for a tech day. I'm going to help yu888 change his brake pads this weekend so maybe he'll invite you over

 

Warren check this out....might be more than you want but looks pretty interesting

http://www.russellracing.com/asp/topic_mechanics.asp

 

Interesting, for sure... intensive... 12 months long... sheesh. Once I've been trained to work on CART F1 cars, I can surely change my own brake pads! Thanks, Keith.

- Warren