DIY diesel machinery maintenance – Is it a good idea?

When it comes to diesel machinery maintenance, a question we often get asked is whether you can do-it-yourself at home instead of calling in a diesel mechanic. The answer is that, depending on your skill level, there are a few maintenance jobs which are easy enough to do yourself. However, it’s important to remember that maintenance of diesel machinery can be complicated so you need to know when it’s time to call in the experts.

Tips for DIY diesel maintenance​
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Below are some tips when it comes to diesel machinery maintenance -

• Regularly inspect the glow plugs on your diesel equipment - Glow plugs are essential as they heat the cylinder before the cold engine gets started.
• Change the oil filter as required – Changing the oil filter on your diesel machinery is generally fairly straight forward but always consult the user manual to make sure you know what to do. Invest in a quality oil filter when your machinery is due for a new one.
• Don’t trust everything you read on the internet - If you Google diesel machinery maintenance, you’ll likely come across plenty of people claiming you can do pretty much everything yourself. Just remember to know your limits when it comes to DIY. 
• Safety first - Never carry out maintenance while the engine is hot or running. Make sure all fluids are completely cool if you’re adjusting or draining them.

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​Don’t get carried away with DIY maintenance
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Although there are some basic maintenance items you can do yourself for your diesel trucks and machinery, you need to know when it’s time to call the experts. Diesel mechanics have highly specialised training and ifyou get carried away with DIY maintenance, you could cause more harm than good. Unless you’re a diesel
mechanic yourself, never skip your normal services in favour of home maintenance and always call your mechanic if in doubt.
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If you’re not sure what maintenance you can safely carry out yourself, have a chat to your diesel mechanic next time you see them. They’ll happily let you know what you can and can’t do.

Convenient mobile repairs and servicing

Although there are some things you can do yourself to keep your diesel machinery running well, you still need to call on the professionals for repairs and servicing. However, it can be a hassle arranging to bring your diesel vehicles and equipment in for servicing. An easy solution is to choose a diesel mechanic who offers mobile servicing.

At Diesel West, we provide high quality mobile repairs and servicing for diesel trucks and equipment in the Perth area. We have extensive experience in hydraulics and fluid power and can service all makes and models. Our mechanics are fully qualified and our equipped service vehicle has everything we need to complete the job, no matter how big or small. For quality mobile diesel servicing, contact Diesel West today on 0427 501 378 or fill in our online enquiry form.