Maintenance/diagnostic training for non-professional mechanics

corvitus · 02-05-2021, 04:08 AM

Does anyone know if there are any short (hands on) courses you can do to learn how to maintain, diagnose and do minor repairs on BMWs (in Melbourne Australia)?

I've watched a lot of DIY YouTube videos but I feel that half the battle is figuring out how to disconnect things properly without breaking stuff. That is a subtlety that doesn't come through watching tutorials.

I love BMWs and recently started to delve into how they work (unfortunately because of the problems I've been having with mine).

It got me thinking that I'd really enjoy being able to jump into the garage on a weekend to do some maintenance and to diagnose basic issues.

I'd love any suggestions on places I could get training. I'd even pay an individual who enjoys teaching.

Brule · 02-05-2021, 04:32 AM

This is where I learnt alot of stuff.

Put up yout issues here someone will help.

corvitus · 02-05-2021, 04:39 AM

Agreed, the community on here is super helpful.

What I'm trying to figure out how I go about getting some hands on experience without completely taking the safety belt off

Having someone supervise/walk through/teach a few basic repairs would be awesome.

ADEe92 · 02-05-2021, 07:04 PM

The Pelican step by step guides are pretty good for a lot of maintenance jobs, with comprehensive photos.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tec...h_main_E90.htm

corvitus · 02-06-2021, 06:25 AM

Thanks, these look pretty detailed.

Is the best place to start to just pick a few easy jobs and give it a shot?

Is there anything that I should be aware of up front? Safety related or otherwise?

What do you guys do when things go wrong? Just take it to the mechanic and tell them you weren't able to manage the job yourself?

Aus335iguy · 02-06-2021, 02:00 PM

The service manual is really detailed and is written in plain language; have you had a look at it ?

Skoidat69 · 02-06-2021, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corvitus

Does anyone know if there are any short (hands on) courses you can do to learn how to maintain, diagnose and do minor repairs on BMWs (in Melbourne Australia)?

I've watched a lot of DIY YouTube videos but I feel that half the battle is figuring out how to disconnect things properly without breaking stuff. That is a subtlety that doesn't come through watching tutorials.

I love BMWs and recently started to delve into how they work (unfortunately because of the problems I've been having with mine).

It got me thinking that I'd really enjoy being able to jump into the garage on a weekend to do some maintenance and to diagnose basic issues.

I'd love any suggestions on places I could get training. I'd even pay an individual who enjoys teaching.

I'd get a copy of the Bentley manual and a scan tool.. then watch a dozen YouTube videos on some of the repairs that are common in threads.. understand the ramifications of disassembly so you aren't left with a half apart engine and you've run out of steam or ideas

corvitus · 02-07-2021, 07:23 AM

I got my scan tool setup today. Pretty neat!

Having trouble finding the Bentley manual for my 2005 E90 (4cyl) with N46 engine.

Ken Oath · 02-08-2021, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corvitus

I got my scan tool setup today. Pretty neat!

Having trouble finding the Bentley manual for my 2005 E90 (4cyl) with N46 engine.

Bentley didn't produce a manual for the N46.

This will cover the basics:

https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/...003620#start=3

02-05-2021, 04:08 AM	#1
corvitus New Member 0 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 320i 2005 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Maintenance/diagnostic training for non-professional mechanics Does anyone know if there are any short (hands on) courses you can do to learn how to maintain, diagnose and do minor repairs on BMWs (in Melbourne Australia)? I've watched a lot of DIY YouTube videos but I feel that half the battle is figuring out how to disconnect things properly without breaking stuff. That is a subtlety that doesn't come through watching tutorials. I love BMWs and recently started to delve into how they work (unfortunately because of the problems I've been having with mine). It got me thinking that I'd really enjoy being able to jump into the garage on a weekend to do some maintenance and to diagnose basic issues. I'd love any suggestions on places I could get training. I'd even pay an individual who enjoys teaching.
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02-05-2021, 04:32 AM	#2
Brule Brigadier General 827 Rep 3,189 Posts Drives: 2007 335i e92 6spd man Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Darwin iTrader: (0)	This is where I learnt alot of stuff. Put up yout issues here someone will help.
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02-05-2021, 04:39 AM	#3
corvitus New Member 0 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 320i 2005 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Agreed, the community on here is super helpful. What I'm trying to figure out how I go about getting some hands on experience without completely taking the safety belt off Having someone supervise/walk through/teach a few basic repairs would be awesome. Last edited by corvitus; 02-05-2021 at 06:54 AM..
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02-05-2021, 07:04 PM	#4
ADEe92 First Lieutenant 253 Rep 316 Posts Drives: e92 320d sport plus edition Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: South Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 320d [0.00] 1988 320i with M30B35 [0.00]	The Pelican step by step guides are pretty good for a lot of maintenance jobs, with comprehensive photos. https://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tec...h_main_E90.htm
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02-06-2021, 06:25 AM	#5
corvitus New Member 0 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 320i 2005 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Thanks, these look pretty detailed. Is the best place to start to just pick a few easy jobs and give it a shot? Is there anything that I should be aware of up front? Safety related or otherwise? What do you guys do when things go wrong? Just take it to the mechanic and tell them you weren't able to manage the job yourself?
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02-06-2021, 02:00 PM	#6
Aus335iguy Colonel 650 Rep 2,139 Posts Drives: 2009 e92 335i MSport DCT Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Sydney Aus iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i [10.00]	The service manual is really detailed and is written in plain language; have you had a look at it ? __________________ When you doppelkaplung you doppel your fun.
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02-07-2021, 07:23 AM	#8
corvitus New Member 0 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 320i 2005 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	I got my scan tool setup today. Pretty neat! Having trouble finding the Bentley manual for my 2005 E90 (4cyl) with N46 engine.
	Appreciate 0 Quote