Carl Johnson Auto Service » auto mechanic

Auto Repair & Diagnostics : How to Install a Car Starter

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:54:23 +0000

Most car starters usually have two or three bolts on them, and they can be removed with a socket and ratchet. Disconnect the negative battery terminal when installing a car starter with help from an auto mechanic in this free video on car repair and diagnostics.

Expert: Tom Brintzenhofe
Bio: Tom Brintzenhofe has been a mechanic for the past 17 years.
Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC

Duration : 0:1:36

Technorati Tags: auto maintenance, auto repair, Auto Service, automobile, car care, car engines, car maintenance, car repair, car service, diagnostics, flat tires

Auto Repair & Diagnostics : How Do Car Brakes Work?

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:52:29 +0000

When a car’s brake pedals are pushed, a rod comes into the master cylinder and forces brake fluid through the brake line and into the calipers. Find out how calipers push pistons and cause brake pads to smash together with help from an auto mechanic in this free video on car repair and diagnostics.

Expert: Tom Brintzenhofe
Bio: Tom Brintzenhofe has been a mechanic for the past 17 years.
Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC

Duration : 0:1:18

Technorati Tags: auto maintenance, auto repair, Auto Service, automobile, car care, car engines, car maintenance, car repair, car service, diagnostics, flat tires

Auto Repair & Diagnostics : How to Change an Alternator

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:53:33 +0000

When changing an alternator on a car, the first step is to loosen up the negative battery terminal and the belt tension. Remove the bolts and set them aside when removing an alternator with help from an auto mechanic in this free video on car repair and diagnostics.

Expert: Tom Brintzenhofe
Bio: Tom Brintzenhofe has been a mechanic for the past 17 years.
Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC

Duration : 0:3:38

Technorati Tags: auto maintenance, auto repair, Auto Service, automobile, car care, car engines, car maintenance, car repair, car service, diagnostics, flat tires

Auto Repair & Maintenance : Signs of Intake Manifold Leaks

admin — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:30:35 +0000

An intake manifold leak is best determined by listening for a loud hissing noise that occurs when the engine is running. Discover how to use soapy water to confirm an intake manifold leak in a car with help from an ASE-certified mechanic in this free video on auto repair and maintenance.

Expert: Tom Brintzenhofe
Bio: Tom Brintzenhofe has been a mechanic for more than 17 years.
Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC

Duration : 0:1:15

Technorati Tags: auto, automotive, car, fuel, gas, ignition, injectors, maintenance, mileage, repair, transmission

How hard is it to become a BMW auto mechanic?

admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:24:33 +0000

I really like BMW’s and I wanna be a mechanic after I graduate from high school. I heard UTI has BMW-specific classes. How hard is it to become a mechanic? Like, how many years do you need of class and how long does it take to become fully familiar the parts of a car and how to fix them?

I attended UTI in 1999 and 2000 and attended the BMW S.T.E.P. program after that. If you just take the basic auto program at UTI you should be done with it in about 18 months or less. After that the BMW program took 6 months. I thing it has been extended to 7 months now.UTI was not that hard and the STEP program was not easy but it wasn’t that hard. Its just intense. If you have half a brain and are good with your hands and have common scene you should have no problem. After getting out and getting into a shop it will take one to two years to get up to speed. You may pick it up faster of slower depending on your skill level. To be honest I would not recommend doing it. It has done good for me but in the past few years things got bad.BMW technical support is a joke now and most of the problems you will see are software related so it sucks trying to figure out whats going on. They don’t give you the info you need nor do they want to pay you for the work you do. Most shops you will work for you will be payed on whats called flat rate. What that means is you get payed for the work you do rather than how long you are there. I have had cars that have taken 6 hours to diagnose and get payed one hour for it. It can go the other way to. I know tricks that help me get a 6 hour job done in one hour. There is way to game the system from being creative to out right cheating. I pride myself on being a honest mechanic. Allot of it comes down to the quality of the person that is responsible for paying for the work you do. The last place I worked out warranty administrator was by far the stupidest person i have ever meet in my life. Her name was Lois. Anyway if you have a good one you can make a good living. You always want them to like you. Thats where i messed up. I don’t get along well with people like her. I no longer work at a dealer but last year i made about $75k. Not bad for a high school dropout. The problem now is you would have a hard time finding a job. Theres allot of mechanics out there that don’t have jobs. BMW has been pumping out a few hundred tech a year for the last 12 years or so. Also you have to think that things are slow now at the dealer, there not selling cars like the past. At my dealer sales where down about 30%. BMWs have a 4 year 50k mile warranty to a 6 year 100k warranty. That means you will see the car for that long, If there is 30% less cars sold thats 30% less cars that need service. If your the new guy you will be on the bottom of the latter when it comes to work and getting the jobs that pay well. Also don’t count on getting into the STEP program. They have closed a few of the STEP program facility’s so theres not as many seats. You have to do an interview to get in and you only have one shot, at least in my time you did. Over all this can be a good path to go but its hard on your body, you deal with allot of nasty chemicals and BMW customers can be um interesting. If your smart enough and you like BMWs i would say go to college and get a good job so you can buy a BMW. If you like working on cars and you like BMWs i think the last thing you want to do is be a mechanic. Like i said it can be a great living and has done me well but i wish i would have done something else. But im glad i did it.

How do you become an auto mechanic?

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 08:08:58 +0000

I want to become an auto mechaninc? Im 18 just graduated High School and I love cars, especially old cars. How do I become a mechanic? I heard I have to go to a trade school, do they cost money? Because I am flat broke.
I live in Florida by the way

Trade school, community collage, or Just try to get in a shop that is willing to train you. Show them that you are a dedicated car guy that wants to learn. If you find a sympathetic car guy that runs the Business he will most likely hire you.

Auto Repair & Maintenance : How to Change Car Brakes

admin — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:27:17 +0000

When changing brakes on a car, make sure the car is jacked up, remove the bolts on the caliper and remove the brake pads. Replace brake pads in a car with help from an auto mechanic in this free video on car maintenance and repairs.

Expert: Tom Brintzenhofe
Bio: Tom Brintzenhofe has been a mechanic for the past 17 years.
Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC

Duration : 0:1:47

Technorati Tags: auto maintenance, auto repair, Auto Service, automobile, car care, car engines, car maintenance, car repair, car service, diagnostics

Is it easy to get get an auto mechanic job now days?

admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 06:37:02 +0000

I recently got a bachelor’s degree in business administration but can’t get a job without experience. Do you think if I go to community college and spend a year or two to study automotive mechanics, it’ll be easier to get a job as a mechanic?

I got my auto tech papers and theres no problem finding a job anywhere. The hard part is finding a place with good pay and good work conditions. I have friends who have quit dealership jobs to make more money working for themselves. Mostly Honda guys thought.

Tim Brockman, Auto Mechanic, Guitar Luthier

admin — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 22:48:07 +0000

Tim Brockman owns a small car repair business in Cincinnati, Ohio. In what’s left of his spare time, he is an accomplished guitar maker. From PBS program, IN THE TANK CINCINNATI

Duration : 0:6:36

Technorati Tags: auto, Guitar, Luthier, Mechanic, PBS, tv

How do you ask your auto mechanic for a deal?

admin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 23:06:28 +0000

I’ve used the same mechanic for years. He has done several big(expensive) jobs for me and a few not so expensive. I’ve recommended him to friends and will continue to do so. I need a brake job done…which will probably run me about $300 that I simply can not afford. So, how do I go about negotiating with him without offending him? Thanks!

I would ask yourself….what’s more important….offending your mechanic?…or…offending your own wallet??

If you’ve been going to him for "years"….then..simply ask him. Tell him your situation…and see if there’s anything he can do to make this process cheaper for you.

If he can…then all the better. If he can’t…then maybe it’s time for a new guy.

If you can’t get a break…then…I would consider calling around to some new places to see if they will treat you better. Don’t just rely on one guy simply because you’ve been dealing with him exclusively.

I wouldn’t worry about offending him….if he seems offended…then he has a poor personal disposition.

Good luck.