I do all my own work. I am fortunate to have a mechanic friend who used to work on VW/Volvo diesels and has most of the tools(and good advice!). I am not such a bad mechanic myself :) As you know, the D24T is a VW motor. Find someone who will work on VW diesels or a diesel truck shop. Ask if they work on Rabbit diesels or 1985 VW Golf diesels. You can access the repair manual at your local library through a computer database called AllData. AllData is basically a digital version of the factory manual. If someone WILL work on your car, bring the mechanics treats or a case of beer. This will keep them in your good graces as they curse the filthy diesel grime from your car :) The compression test was a pain in the ass to do. The glow plugs(yes, all 6 of them) were a piece of cake. You need a hazet deep offset 8mm wrench to get the nut on the end of the #6 glowplug. The injectors need a 1 1/16 deep well socket and #5 needed a serpentine belt tool $45 from NAPA. It's really not that bad of a motor to work on. Good luck.