'Basics boy, Basics'- Part 2

The inspection had thus begun in the mystery of the smokey diesel. 

Here comes part 2.

  After dismantling the valve assembly, the first thing I noticed was heat damage on the intake side rocker arm assembly- discoloration of the metal and ground-down sharp edges on the rocker arm and the thrust washer that holds it on the shaft and no oily feel to the parts at all.  Eek, the rocker arm and its associated parts had not gotten any lube- not good.  

'Basics boy, basics'

'In diagnosis, always check the basics first'. I learned that little nugget of wisdom back when I was about 7 years old.  And another 'when something changes in terms of noises or performance, go looking for it, don't wait and see if it will fix itself'- I learned when I was about 10.  I guess occasionally I need to relearn my own lessons again and eat a fat helping of my own advise... mmmmm, humble pie... tasty.

Bad Wheel, No Bounce!

So there you are, driving along the road, and a pothole or bump jumps out in front of you too late to miss. After the bump, the shudder and wobble continues for a hundred feet after the bump. Or instead, you hit the brakes hard and swerve around the bump; the car nose- dives and sways, then bounces back and forth a few times afterward. Or, you glance under the car at the shocks and see they are coated in oily dust. Guess what?