what should I learn about repairs and maintenance?

[Seraphim]

Not the only solution, but probably the best, because it eliminates any future problems at the same time.

An engine wears down. If you repair the valves, the compression will increase, but the rings are still old, and the walls of the combustion chamber worn. The increased compression will cause the rings to fail quicker. Might as well replace the rings while you have the heads off. Got to take out the Pistons to remove the rings, so it would be stupid to old bearings back on. So new bearings. But the camshaft has worn and has to be measured to determine bearing size. Might as well send the camshaft out to smoothed, and the walls of the combustion chambered bore smooth...

Get the picture? Once you start disassembling the engine, it only makes sense to disassemble it a little bit further and replace old parts. Otherwise, if you just take off the heads and grind down the valves, then put the heads back on, in six months you might be removing the heads again to get to the rings - duplicating the effort and the expense of the labor. Best do the whole thing at once and know you have a like-new engine that wont be failing in a couple months time.

It will be a bigger one time expense, but cheaper in the long run. Of course, if you haven't the money for a complete rebuild, it's understandable. Just know there will be further - and expensive - complications down the road.

 

[Seraphim]

Above should be crankshaft, not camshaft. Old age...

 

[akrvbob]

To diagnose a specific problem, you should start a new thread and leave this one to the OPs original general question of what and how to learn mechanics.

I's probably been helpful to show here the general thinking of how to diagnose, but we want to end it now. It's perfect for a thread on it;s own.
Bob

 

[highdesertranger]

I agree with starting a new thread. that's what should happen here. I must say real quick don't jump to conclusions about bad valves and rebuilt engines. a bad pcv valve would cause oil in the air filter. start a new thread, state your problem and we can go from there. highdesertranger

 

[VJG1977]

Start with the routine maintenance.   Oil and filters to include air, pvc, fuel...  Be able to change any of the belts and hoses.  Learn how to flush a cooling system and replace a thermostat.  Think about the pieces and parts that bolt to the engine: alternator, starter, water pump, power steering pump, air conditioner compressor, etc.  Individually they are easy to replace but you may have to remove or loosen several to get to another.  Front disc brakes are easy, rear drum brakes are harder.  There is lot to do, before you rebuild an engine.  

Take pictures and tag wires and hoses.  That makes reassembly much easier.  If you have nuts and bolts left over, you did it wrong. :s

The first thing I ever did to my first car was change the starter.  Unfortunately it was in a parking lot with a foot of snow on the ground.  After working for an hour I read the manual and learned that I needed to loosen the rack and pinion steering to make room to get the starter out.

Start with a basic set of tools and add as you need to.  Don't buy the cheapest but they do not have to be the best.  

Above all be safe, never get under a vehicle that is only supported by a jack. 

You have a world of information available now.  Any thing you can think of to fix on a car, someone else has done it and put a video on You Tube.

 

[NWShortyFord]

I have a 40 year old van...Very different than a 10 year old one. Still you must take care to do the maintenance for best results, that fact has never changed. Unfortunately I do not know what a person would look for in a modern vehicle, but I know for a fact that if you follow the manual for maintenance as best you can, you will be rewarded with staunch reliability. In my opinion.