Any veterans out there want to take a stab at this one? ( For us newbie diesel owners that aren't mechanically inclined - YET - )

What would a list of jobs look like for someone looking to improve their mechanical knowledge on working on diesels? (ie. start with oil change, move to something harder, followed by something harder, etc.)

Basically looking for things to work on in increasing order of difficulty on my vehicle. I see articles all the time that say "if you aren't comfortable with xxxx, don't try yyyyy." So how do you get comfortable doing those things without taking a course?

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79 300SD - $50 out of pocket purchase
03 Dodge Ram 3500 CTD
2003 VW Jetta TDI

Sometimes you do the job anyway. Sometimes you screw it up so badly that it costs more to fix your repair that the original job would have cost. Sometimes you don't.

I try to not blame others for my screw-ups. Works out pretty well in the end.

I understand that. I'm just looking for a list of home repairs in order of difficulty I guess....

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79 300SD - $50 out of pocket purchase
03 Dodge Ram 3500 CTD
2003 VW Jetta TDI

I am certainly not a weathered mechanic. But I learn as I go. I learn what it takes to fix the problem when the problem arises, and do my best to keep problems to arise. I don't feel I have gotten my self into anything too hard yet, although I have learn the hard way how not to do things once or twice. If I feel it is too hard or take tool or knowledge that I don't have, off to the mechanic I go.

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1) Oil and filter change. Air filter change.
2) Primary fuel filter change.
3) Fuse replacement.
4) Battery removal and replace.
5) Throttle linkage ball joint lubrication.
6) Secondary fuel filter change.
7) Coolant flush and fill.
8) Differential fluid change.
9) Glow plug change.
10) Power Steering fluid change.
11) Glow plug relay change.
12) Monovalve stem removal and replace.
13) Radiator removal, clean, and replace (included upper and lower hoses)
14) Thermostat removal and replace
15) Valve cover gasket removal and replace.
16) Valve lash adjustment.
17) Belts removal and replace
18) Alternator removal and replace
19) Water pump removal and replace
20) Injector removal and replace
21) Injection timing.
22) Starter removal and replace.
23) Timing chain removal and replace.
24) Oil cooler line removal and replace.
25) Turbocharger removal and replace.
26) Cylinder head removal and replace.


.............subject to revisions............

If you are mechanicly inclined you learn as you go. I have had a ton of cars and always worked on them myself. Just get a shop manual and use the search button, with a good set of tools there isnt to much you cant do....

Brian, excellent list. Exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks for the other replies, too. I know that somewhere in my brain I can do all of this stuff, just looking for kind of a sequential way to go about doing it.

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79 300SD - $50 out of pocket purchase
03 Dodge Ram 3500 CTD
2003 VW Jetta TDI

Really basic stuff, but important, and all too often overlooked by the aspiring DIY...
0.0) Check and adjust tire pressure.
0.1) Remove and rotate tires.
0.1a) Inspect brake pad wear while wheels are off.
0.2) Check fluid conditions and levels.

I fully agree.

I wasn't certain if the original poster was interested in the list for "diesels" relating to the engine and underhood environment.........or was interested in "diesels" relating to the entire automobile.

If it's the latter, then my list would need a complete revision because all of the important tasks relating to brakes and suspension and transmission are ignored.

I consider myself to be a good mechanic but sometimes I get intimidated when starting a project that I have never done before. Mostly because 90% of the time I'm working alone.
But I have never come across anything on my '84 300 SD that I couldn't handle.
These cars are extremely easy to work on.
You will more than likely need to buy some tools. Like a mity-vac, metric wrenches, sockets, etc...

Danny

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1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your
(")_(") signature to help him gain world domination

okay i have done 8 since oct '04.

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currently
[1981 300 td tdidi 165500 dark brown/palamino-Brownie-mine-3k miles of ownership
1983 240d 162+++ Anthricite grey w/ henna red interior and hella lights-wifes car-Red

the above two cars are for sale
and can be seen on the cars for sale thread here. pix also available.


240d-144+ Manilla Yellow w/ palmino interior-greasecar kit-Blondie-the college kids car

23" gt 21 speed still on original tires-still got the nubs
21" khs tandem

Front main seal is always a good one. To me it is a pretty easy job anymore.

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Jim

Not familiar with the process. Is it easier.....or more difficult......than the cylinder head?

I should also add the R & R of the tensioning rail. Has to be more difficult than the head because the head has to be removed to do it properly, correct?

If you change the lower guides you will want to change the front main. The front main is a little easier job that the lower slide rail in my opinion. The harmonic balancer has to come off to do the lower rail.

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Jim

......but........all of that work would typically be done after the removal of the head..........or not??

Would you tackle the tensioning rail with the head in place??