Follow these tips and you can be sure that you'll get better results!
First, you have to think about the turn of events before the trouble started. It will be most important that you get the story on the exact sequence of events and do this correctly. If you undertake mechanic troubleshooting in this manner, you can logically come up with a starting point and end up in a good position. In the event you neglect it or forget to pay attention, you'll probably be facing a frustrating process. If you undertake it wrong by not listening or using your common sense then you could have problems going down the right path from the beginning.
Second, you really need to check the source of the problem. This is essential, it's going to be crucial in determining whether you succeed or fail. It's necessary for these reasons:
1. Without the source i.e Fuel In The Tank / Healthy Batteries etc. you're screwed from the start. It's so simple but this step has been skipped many times....
2. Skip this step and you are headed for major complications, expense and embarassment.
3. It's by far the easiest step to take first, to reassure yourself that you're on the right track without second thoughts. Failing to perform mechanic troubleshooting in this way will almost certainly mean not getting to the problem quickly. Therefore you eventually fail at saving yourself time, vehicle downtime and money, depending on your situation.
Third, you have to remember to use the best resources available. Manuals and the right tools will give you a much better chance of succeeding. If you happen to neglect this or fail to do it, get ready to guess and take blind stabs at a system that you aren't thoroughly keen on.
Follow these three suggestions for mechanic troubleshooting and you'll more than likely succeed and enjoy all the rewards and benefits that taking the right troubleshooting steps would bring you. Ignore them and the prediction isn't good. It's up to you... follow them and come out ahead; ignore them and you simply will most likely not succeed. That's the brutal truth.....
Thanks for the info. I recently bought a 83 International diesel bus that is partly converted into a mobile home. It has sat idle for over a year so I am kind of expecting trouble. I can do basic mechanics, but always ready to learn. Really, thank you for doing all this. I for one will be reading and more than likely putting some of this knowledge to work for me. JPF
ReplyDeleteThanks for you comment. Regarding your 83 bus, I would do a major service on it head to toe (if you plan on going on any trips). Especially the fuel filters and check the tank for contamination. If you can drain some out and have a look for water etc.
ReplyDeleteI have a 1979 IH with a DT 466 engine. It has become hard to start in the morning, I mean warm summer mornings. The rest of the day it starts and runs just fine. I believe some how it is loseing it's prime overnight. This problem started about two months ago, right after I had it serviced. Fuel filters are full and connections going to the pump are tight. any thoughts? Thanks! Charlie B. clbuschauer@gmail.com
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