Automotive Mechanics Honor - advanced

Vocational Activities

Requirements

1. Have the Automotive Mechanics Honor.

   Answer: The basic Honor teaches the fundamentals: engine principles (4-stroke), main components, basic tools, preventive maintenance (oil, filter, spark plug, fluid changes), workshop safety, identification of common problems. This knowledge is an indispensable prerequisite for the advanced one, which goes deeper into engine disassembly and reassembly, transmission replacement, brake rebuilding and complex adjustments. — Mechanics is progressive. A beginner must understand how it works before disassembling it. The basic level gives theory + elementary practice. The advanced one requires mastery to avoid damage to expensive parts. In professional workshops, apprentices start with simple tasks before major surgeries. Technical courses (SENAI) follow this logic. At camporees with mechanics, the instructor assesses whether the Pathfinder is ready for the advanced level. Skipping the basic level results in frustration and dangerous errors with complex systems.

2. Disassemble, check and reassemble an automobile engine, or that of a small truck. Replace any parts that show defects or wear. Put the engine back in place, start it and drive the vehicle. Keep a complete record of everything that was done to the engine.

   Answer: Disassemble: drain the oil and fluids, remove the battery, hoses and cables, disconnect components (alternator, starter, pumps), remove the cylinder head, pistons and connecting rods, crankshaft. Check: measure wear with a caliper/micrometer, inspect rings, valves, gaskets, bearings, cylinders. Replace defective parts (rings, gaskets, valves with play). — Engine rebuilding is an advanced project. It requires weeks, specialized tools (torque wrenches, micrometers), space, technical knowledge. Official manuals (Haynes, the manufacturer's) are essential. Each model has its own specifications (torque, clearances, sequence). Errors cause catastrophic breakdowns. In technical schools (SENAI), engine disassembly is a course project. At rare camporees (only clubs with a certified mechanic instructor), summarized activities demonstrate the process. It is worth doing with an experienced adult in charge.

3. Remove and replace a manual or automatic transmission system.

   Answer: Raise the vehicle on a ramp/jack (maximum safety). Drain the transmission oil. Disconnect: the driveshaft/transmission axles, the gearshift control (lever), electrical connections, fluid hoses. Support the transmission with a specific hydraulic jack. Loosen the bolts of the engine block. Remove the transmission carefully (weight 30-80kg). — The transmission is a heavy and complex part. A manual one has a clutch; an automatic one has a hydraulic torque converter. Specifications differ by model. Special tools (a hydraulic transmission jack) are essential for safety. Incorrect torque causes leaks. The wrong fluid destroys the transmission. In technical schools, it is the subject of advanced classes. At very rare camporees (clubs with a professional mechanic), demonstrations are done. The professional cost varies from R$ 2-15 thousand depending on the vehicle.

4. Rebuild the brake system of an automobile or small truck, following the appropriate safety measures. Demonstrate the proper adjustment of brakes.

   Answer: Safety: use gloves, goggles, wheel chocks, a jack with stands (NEVER just a jack). Raise the vehicle, remove the wheels. Inspect: pads, discs, linings, drums, cylinders, hoses, fluid. Replace worn parts (pads <3mm, discs with deep scoring). — Brakes are a critical safety system - any failure can kill. Rebuilding requires extreme knowledge and care. Bleeding removes air (which compresses, reducing efficiency). DOT 3/4/5.1 fluid has a specification - mixing can cause damage. Pads have a specific material (ceramic, semi-metallic). Scored discs need machining or replacement. ABS requires a special procedure. At camporees with advanced mechanics, brakes only with an experienced instructor. An error can result in a fatal accident.

5. Tune the engine, including replacing the spark plugs, if applicable.

   Answer: Replacing spark plugs: with the engine cold, remove the cables individually (note the order), use a spark plug socket (usually 16mm) to remove each one. Inspect: a clean tip indicates a healthy engine; black, carbonized indicates a rich mixture; white indicates a lean mixture; oil indicates a mechanical problem. — Tuning keeps the engine efficient. Spark plugs generate the spark - if worn, the engine misfires. They are replaced every 20-50 thousand km. Dirty filters harm economy. A high idle consumes more fuel. An OBD-II scanner allows electronic problems to be diagnosed in a modern way. Old cars have manual tuning. The vehicle manual specifies the intervals. At camporees, simple replacements such as spark plugs and filters can be demonstrated. Regular tuning improves consumption, performance and prolongs the life of the automotive engine.