Diesel Virgin - new member

[Jambi]

Just wanted to say hello as a new member here.

As the title says, I'm a diesel virgin and only know very little about working on vehicles in general. Though I've done simple things like spark plugs, oil changes, belts, brakes, calipers etc. Concepts and understanding them are not a difficulty for me, I just simply lack the knowledge and experience. I am learning quickly though, mostly thanks to this site and a couple of books.

This being said, I've always wanted to learn but had no one around to teach me an I've always wanted a diesel.

What I've gotten myself into so far:

1985 GMC Suburban 6.2L
3/4 ton 4x4
190k miles as far as I can tell

picked the thing up in vegas for $2100 and drove it home. everything works but the heater (bypassed) and radio. I have dependable and reliable transportation besides this vehicle but would eventually like to make it my DD.

A little more info about me:
Name is Mike
married with 2 kids (4 and 10)
I'm an EMT
have access to torch and welder (can't weld...yet)
I need more tools!

I have lots of questions but want to absorb more of the board before I start firing them off.

Thanks,
Jambi

[Craig M]

Enjoy your "new" Suburban. The 6.2 will give you good fuel mileage and probably long life. This site should be able to give you good advice. If you ever get to the point of needing an mechanic, I know of a good shop up in San Bernardino.

[allformike]

are the heater core lines looped? by this i mean are the lines not running into the heater core and are just hooked to the engine with one line if i am correct. because if they are it could have been done to protect your feet from getting wet due to a bad heater core, thus not working and is the radio a factory radio or an aftermarket?

[Jambi]

Heater hoses are looped, I've assumed a blown heater core but haven't pulled out the panel yet and checked.

Radio is stock

thanks

[allformike]

does the radio power up? or is there no sound, i used to install car audio for a while and may be able to help you out

[Jambi]

I doesn't even power on, the knobs turn freely. I have to admit that I haven't even checked fuses yet.

[allformike]

that would be a perfect start. after checking the fuse, if it's good, i would pull the radio out and use a meter or a test light to check for power, one should be switched and one should be constant. can't recall what color each wires are.

[Jambi]

Thank you, I will do that.

[Jambi]

allformike,
Thanks again, the fuse was blown. Popped in a new one that lasted for about 10 minutes then blew, so I have some gremlins somewhere with the radio...:p