Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-26-2005, 08:47 AM
Coming back from burnout
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: in the Pacific Northwest
Posts: 2,274
Lightbulb D**! As simple as my 85 300D is, why do I still keep making Technical Mistakes?

D**! As simple as my 85 300D is, why do I still keep making Technical Mistakes?

The other day I thought I had air in my fuel lines ( my car was having trouble cold starting ) and I posted about it. Everyone said check my glo plugs. I did and it turned out 3/5 were dead!!
I thought I had a bad brake booster but my Vacuum pump was dead. I almost replaced the Booster which is megabucks.
I thought I had a bad brake caliper but I had abad master cylinder.
I may not be super Tech, but I do know my way around OBDI and II cars and i do have parts of a working Brain when i am fullly awake and caffeinated!I use a scope and chips at work. Its embarssing getting correct advice from kids half my (44 yrs) age sometimes!

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-26-2005, 08:55 AM
TX76513's Avatar
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Brandon, Mississippi
Posts: 5,209
Everyone goes through a period of brain farts I have nothing but respect for you with some of the things you have undertaken. My God, I wouldn't even attempt most of them.
__________________
BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-26-2005, 09:04 AM
t walgamuth's Avatar
dieselarchitect
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Lafayette Indiana
Posts: 38,613
my dad used

to say "if you aren't making any mistakes, you aren't doing much".

i have to remind myself of this almost daily. you are still money ahead of where you would be if you had hired half that work done. i have been driving these benzes for almost thirty years total and i can often diagnose things right the first time, but certainly not always. some things just defy certain diagnosises.

even the professionals often end up changing parts and not solving the prob.

tom w
__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-26-2005, 09:29 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Norwich, VT USA
Posts: 905
I offer this as an alternative.....Take it to a dealer........See? Now isn't that easy.....Grab a cold one and bask in your "I can do it and save boatloads of $ demeanaor....
__________________
Rob M
Norwich, VT USA
1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
~160K miles
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-26-2005, 09:54 AM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Many vehicle systems are complex. A failure in the system can maifest itself with symptoms that apply to more than one component.

The history of the individual working on the vehicle will affect his judgment. If I have found that a low reservoir and subsequent draining of fluid in the m/c was the cause of my brake loss, I'm far more likely to suspect the exact same problem in the future, when the rear brakes go out. It's human nature.

It takes a very careful analysis of all the data for a single individual to be successful with a complicated problem. Many times, the personnel at the dealership do not perform this analysis. They focus on one specific part and pretty much have the solution before the analysis is ever done. So, they change the part and the problem remains.

With this forum, you get the input from 15 (more......sometimes) different people , all with different experiences with the same symptoms. If you read all of them carefully, you obtain far more insight as to the potential problem than you can otherwise do by yourself.

Sometimes we get into a discussion regarding the problem with many possible scenarios explored and hashed out.

I recently remember a lengthy discussion regarding whether the brake booster or the vacuum pump was at fault. It's a very difficult diagnosis because a leaking brake booster can have the exact same symptoms as a weak vacuum pump. It may have been possible that both the pump output was low and there was a slight leak in the booster.

So, Richard, don't kick yourself for a misdiagnosis. That's what the forum is for. If you have doubts about a diagnosis, generally, the depth of the forum can set you straight. It's a very valuable asset.

I will add, for the benefit of new members, that the best solutions are provided to those members who can provide some hard data and detailed explanations of the symptoms.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-26-2005, 10:21 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 18,350
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Carlton
Many vehicle systems are complex. A failure in the system can maifest itself with symptoms that apply to more than one component.

The history of the individual working on the vehicle will affect his judgment. If I have found that a low reservoir and subsequent draining of fluid in the m/c was the cause of my brake loss, I'm far more likely to suspect the exact same problem in the future, when the rear brakes go out. It's human nature.

It takes a very careful analysis of all the data for a single individual to be successful with a complicated problem. Many times, the personnel at the dealership do not perform this analysis. They focus on one specific part and pretty much have the solution before the analysis is ever done. So, they change the part and the problem remains.

With this forum, you get the input from 15 (more......sometimes) different people , all with different experiences with the same symptoms. If you read all of them carefully, you obtain far more insight as to the potential problem than you can otherwise do by yourself.

Sometimes we get into a discussion regarding the problem with many possible scenarios explored and hashed out.

I recently remember a lengthy discussion regarding whether the brake booster or the vacuum pump was at fault. It's a very difficult diagnosis because a leaking brake booster can have the exact same symptoms as a weak vacuum pump. It may have been possible that both the pump output was low and there was a slight leak in the booster.

So, Richard, don't kick yourself for a misdiagnosis. That's what the forum is for. If you have doubts about a diagnosis, generally, the depth of the forum can set you straight. It's a very valuable asset.

I will add, for the benefit of new members, that the best solutions are provided to those members who can provide some hard data and detailed explanations of the symptoms.

Well said. This diesel forum is like a giant brain with far more experience than any one of us could ever gain. The only thing it lacks is its own ability to search thru its data and come up with a solution. The 'search' function is the closest it has. But someday, an enterprising programmer will develop that appropriate tool, and the giant brain will be able to hypothesize and diagnose way better than any of us. Of course by then, there won't be many 616's and 617's left.
__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-26-2005, 12:44 PM
Coming back from burnout
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: in the Pacific Northwest
Posts: 2,274
Whew I thought I was starting to get brain weary....

Whew I thought I was starting to get brain weary....its funny in the office whenever people get into conversations about cars, I conspicuously quickly vacate the premises...I only trust two or three people where i work w/r to questions about Car technical issues..everyone else, I fear more than myself...
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-26-2005, 01:05 PM
boneheaddoctor's Avatar
Senior Benz fanatic
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Hells half acre (Great Falls, Virginia)
Posts: 16,007
Mechanical stuff and technical stuff are quite different...

Being in the Technical end of things myself I have seen many very competant techs have trouble changing a flat tire....

Count your blessings you have the fortitude to stick through a job.....the details can be worked out here....

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:32 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page