Hey - I would like to start learning everything there is to know about the MINI and what's "beneath the bonnet." I love my Cooper, but can't tell you much about its engine and all that.

Does anyone have a good resource that I can read to learn about how these amazing cars work? Or any car, for that matter.

Thanks.

 

I second this actually. Its tough to know where to start on cars if you have no experience and noone to show you how to do "simple" things. People at work have been teasing because I can't change my own brakes.


Mom...they're picking on me....

 

Here is some general automotive info on engines:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm

Brakes:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/disc-brake.htm

And here is how the manual transmission works.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/transmission.htm

Once you understand these, it may be easier to understand whent you need to replace, or change to do a certain job. Every thing come easy once you know what to do. You then could get a manual for the car and read up on that.

Good Luck

 

Bentley is publishing the closest thing to an official Mini shop manual in September; you can find it on Amazon. I asked the dealership for a shop manual, and they referred me to this.

 

Mechanics are learned by doing.....with the disadvantage that if you do not know what you are doing, things can get expensive.

Having learned the hard way, and after nearly thirty years, I continue to learn.
Some priciples, however are best mastered early and stuck to through thick and thin.....

a) Patience. Be thoroughly patient.
b) Method. Be methodical, to a faul. One thing at a time and done thoroughly.
c) Organization.....you must be as organized as you can possibly be. Parts in a given spot, clearly marked or identified, tools ALWAYS back to their place after use.
d) Cleanliness is next to godliness....and in mechanics is what sets the men apart from the boys and the pros from the hackers.

e) Most cars are built 99.9% with the use of threaded fasteners. Understanding them, their sizes, their threads, their proper application and the USE OF PROPER TOOLS on them is step one of your journey.

Two books I would heartily reccommend to anyone launching into thew world of mechanics.....though very specific in their scope, they are incredibly good at getting to the fundamentals:

1)
A guide to VW Repair for the Complete Idiot....that is not the true title but it comes close. Google should get you there. Awesome and incredibly funny.
2)
Thomas Carrol has a series of books on car racing building and preparation.....the best is Tune to Win.....again, awesome fundamentals, good read. You will find these at most Road Racing shops...I would reccommend www.racecarsupply.com
Watch them knuckles....and don't mess with computers......

 

There is a book about the new MINI that is rather good on the history of it's development.
http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=33833
http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=34595

For performance items the Performance mods forum (now split into drivetrain and suspension areas) is a good resource and includes threads like this:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ead.php?t=8574
Read especially the posts by RandyBMC

The "How things work" is a good place to start online. Learn as you go. And ask some questions on NAM to find out more about your MINI. Many of the older threads are quite good about explaining things.

Try to get out to your local MINI events and talk to people that fix their own MINIs or do their own mods to learn more.

If interested in tires and wheels the Tirerack.com has loads of technical info
http://www.tirerack.com/about/techcenter.html

 

Find yourself a hobby shop and buy a clear plastic model engine kit. The classic is the Visible V8 but there are 2 cylinder, 4 cylinder and Wankel engine models available these days. You can watch how the pistons and valves (or rotors) interact as the little electric motor turns the model's crankshaft.

It's a great way to learn how an engine works and how it's put together. Once you understand the basics, it's not difficult to think through how superchargers and turbos work their magic.

 

I learned by breaking things and not having the money to go to the shop .

 

definetely part of THAT club.......