Request for diesel fundamentals reading material please
 

Hi all,

I'm interested in aquiring some reading material to learn more about my mercedes, something that really starts with the basics, how diesel engines work, transmissions work, etc. I already own the Haynes manual and the 2 disc Mercedes repair manual set, both of which are great, but I'm looking to get down to the groundwork that I should know so that I can better understand and diagnose my car. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Haynes also sells a basic manual on diesel engine fundamentals. I found mine at a used book store years ago but you might have some luck with google. Another possibility might be asking Borders/Barnes & Noble to order it.

Yeah, the internet is great, especially if you can find some good animations. Depending on your level of knowledge, howstuffworks.com is great.

Most of the stuff I learned about my car came directly from reading threads on this forum.

When I'm done reading I would go to the search function and read up on things that my car would be doing oddly.

Read up on this forum as often as you can. If you have a smartphone with internet access consider reading when you aren't busy... Or in my case when you should be working :P

This looks like a good starting point:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_engine?wasRedirected=true

Heres one for the injection system.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/264933-fuel-injection-training-manual.html?highlight=fuel+injection+manual

Thats if its still available.

If you want Books I would first try your Public Library first; although you may not be able to check them out and take them home. Your Library may have a website and you do not even need to leave home to see what they have.

Other good books are the text book/s that a trade schoole would use.
Find the title and Author of the book and look for it at amazon or eBay.

I have not read this book but if you look close there are 2 customer reviews.
http://www.amazon.com/Diesel-Technology-Fundamentals-Service-Repair/dp/1566370140
They show a used paperback version for $10 + $3.99 Shipping (but I would shop around first).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/156637734X/ref=tmm_pap_used_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=used

You might see if you can find it on eBay. Evidently this book also had a work book so it must have been a text book.

Near my area in San Pedro S CA there is a Trade School Harbor Occupational Center. This is where I took Diesel Mechanics back in the middle 1970s.
Other Community Colleges also offer courses.