What tools are essential to maintain a diesel?
 

Aside from the metric wrenches and sockets, what tools have you found
are really essential to maintaining your diesel mercedes?
I want to put together a toolbox for each of my teenage sons who are
now either driving or about to drive some of the family fleet of 123 diesels.

I think a Mityvac would be one such tool. Any others you guys who wrench
alot can add would be very much appreciated.

Tom

Visa
Mastercard
Amex

Metric, lots and lots of metric stuff...

Most good metric tool sets are fine. Some valve adjusting wrenches and hex bits. 17mm and 19mm hex is also needed.

What size hex bit for the rear diff? I don't recall your tutorial specifying.

EDIT: Nevermind, 14mm.

:d

LMAO funny but true

Thanks alot, guys! I'm trying not to overkill this thing. I believe one of the
things that I will do is order some valve adjustment kits from Diesel Giant,
I'm very impressed with the site, BTW.

I know you have all heard this before, but... I am really glad that there is
a site like this for guys like me to use. I have sent pms to many of you
with questions that are particular to cars they own, and, to a man, they
all answer with help.

Very much obliged!

Tom

A small analog (needle type) volt meter has been helpful.
After doing a complete engine and rear-end swap recently I found
that the number of tools needed was not too great.
Sets come with more than a Benz owner needs.

It would be neat to prep a list of what we use, and what we do not use.
For instance, I don't think I have ever used my 16 or 18mm anything.
Hence, it is a waste to carry them in my car (they stay in the roll-away).

Hex bits 6, 8, 14, 17, 19. (I don't even have a 19 - hard to find).
Sockets 8, 10, 12, 13,14, 17, 19 - engine turning size too (26 ?)
Wrenches 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26 (correct me on these larger ones).
3/8 drive rachet and universal joint with a couple 6 inch extensions.
1/2 drive rachet and couple extensions.

On specialty stuff, valve adjusting wrenches are nice. If not, have two 14mm.
And a 46mm for the few odd large size low torque things like fuel strainer
and I think sending unit. This is an odd puppy, my 300SD has the strainer
right over the axle - really tight to get at. I am thinking a regular socket,
cut off some length (and because it is 3/4 drive filling the square drive
and adapt to 1/2).

Of course, there are roadside tools, and then shop tools.
I do not own any MB specific shop tools. Would like to.
But I have taken out injectors, removed and replaced IP, replaced timing chain. Rebuilt window regulators and replaced window guide jaws.
R and R'd the head too. Replaced a lower bushing on the front suspension.

I found a high wattage soldering iron to help. My 25 watt hobby/electronics one does not melt MB solder.
And what about diesel compression tester ?

Tom,

If the boys don't have them yet, you will need a fine selection of Hammers. In particular a LARGE HAMMER or in this case DER GROSSER HAMMER!:beerchug: German Car you know!:D

IT WILL FIX EVERYTHING, but just once!:D

Looks good to me. I think that 26mm should be a 27. I'd make the 27mm socket a 12pt deep set, then you can use it to remove injectors and crank the engine. Also, if you do A/C work, that whomping big nut on the low pressure hose is a 32 mm. I wouldn't bother carrying it in the car though.

10MM, 17MM, and 27MM (deep) will take apart quite a bit on these cars.

So a set of metric sockets, and wrenches is a good place to start.


Plus the Visa, yet to come across a repair the old Visa can't fix.:D

A 3/8 and 1/2 inch torque wrenches to go with your sockets.

Some crow's foot wrenches. Mainly for the fuel lines.

Danny

vise grips
swiss army knife
duct tape
coat hangers

" vise grips
swiss army knife
duct tape
coat hangers"

Duct tape is alway good to have in an emergency toolkit. I once was
stung by a yellowjacket on the forehead while camping with the family.
I did not feel confident my wife could drive while attending the kids and
pull a trailer, so I used the duct tape to hold my eyelid open, as it was
swollen shut...

Good tool recommendations, all!

Tom