Can oil dipstick tube be repositioned

[cerberusiam]

Pretty much at times. It is rare that at least 2 of the 3 don't need something fixed or tweaked. Injectors, turbos, TC's, gears, the list is endless. LOL!

The 1st gens are the most labor intensive at times, have to build or adapt parts cuz some are just not avilable any more. If it wasn't for the 1000 miles between us we would have 1 or 2 of them apart and strung across the shop all the time.

 

[navyjoe]

I did not realize that parts were becoming hard to find for the older trucks with so many after market suppliers, but I guess that makes sense. Our trucks aren't as prolific as a old mustang or a VW.

1000 miles apart. I just assumed they were close by. Mine are spread out too. Even if they were close it would be hard for them to have the time.

I do get the feeling though you are pretty comfortable with tackling anything. Did you use to be a mechanic or did you "just pick it up" as time went by?

PS I guess I should have made this all private. Hope I'm not breaking a "rule".

 

[cerberusiam]

Grew up on a ranch fixing things as needed, can't haul everyhting to town when it breaks. In my former live(s) I was a garage mechanic, transmission tech, general gofer and floor sweeper. Picked up a few things over the years so can tackle pretty much anything from lawn mowers to 7T motor graders or D8 Cats.

My oldest is field tech for Schlumberger in OK on the fracking rigs. He spends his days twisting off nuts on the big Detroit\Mercedes diesels and keeping the yo-yo drivers from screwing up the tractor engines too bad. What one of us haven't seen the other has. We are attempting to teach the youngest son a useful skill to go along with his game playing and general carousing skills. LOL!

 

[navyjoe]

Good grief, no wonder you can tackle it all.

I've worked on many Gas engines, but not on Diesels. To me they are a whole different breed of engine, and without the proper expertise things go quickly wrong! I dread a breakdown because I don't know a competent mechanic in my area to work on one. I'm not saying there aren't any, but most of the local garages are not places I would want to go. As for me doing it, our truck engines are also HEAVY and I just don't have a shop equipped to handle one.

LOL! on the young son, been thru that twice.

 

[cerberusiam]

Finding a good diesel tech is probably the hardest thing there is to do. The engines last too long, relatively speaking, compared to gas engines anyway. Plugs, wries, etc, are wear items on the gassers the diesels don't have. I have been burned so bad when I could not work on my own vehicles I hate the thought of a shop or dealer touching my trucks. When they do it is always expensive.

 

[navyjoe]

Amen on that. So far I've been fortunate with my 06 3500. The AC clutch going out was my first problem with this truck. I'm even still using the factory batteries! I do get the occasional problem with the throttle sensor throwing a code about every 3 or 4 months, but other than that it's been a good truck. I've got about 75,000 miles on it and it seems to be as strong as ever, but the hammer could drop any day if you know what I mean.