Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Diesel Mechanics
Diesel Mechanics inspect, maintain, and repair vehicles containing diesel engines. They often consult with customers or review work orders to determine their tasks for the day.
Table of contents
When a truck or bus with a diesel engine breaks down, Diesel Mechanics often handle the repairs. They are mechanics that specialize in the maintenance and repair of vehicles and machinery powered by diesel fuel.
Job stability is one of the highlights of this career. Most positions are full-time and may require overtime. Diesel Mechanics often work in repair shops and may occasionally complete repairs at worksites or on roadsides. They also work on a wide range of vehicles. As a Diesel Mechanic, you may repair commercial boats, passenger vehicles, and various construction machinery.
What they do
Diesel Mechanics inspect, maintain, and repair vehicles containing diesel engines. They often consult with customers or review work orders to determine their tasks for the day.
Inspect and Repair Diesel Engines
One of the main tasks of a Diesel Mechanic is to inspect and repair diesel engines, as working on diesel-powered vehicles is their specialty. Diesel engines operate differently compared to gas engines. While both types of engines use internal combustion, they use different methods to ignite fuel.
Gas engines rely on pistons to compress air. The compressed air is then ignited by spark plugs. In a diesel engine, the air is compressed by a piston and then injected directly into the combustion chamber. Due to the differences between engine types, repairing diesel engines requires separate training, leading to the need for Diesel Mechanics.
Perform Basic Care and Maintenance
Diesel Mechanics perform basic care and maintenance on diesel-powered vehicles. Depending on the vehicle, Diesel Mechanics may use technical manuals and charts to follow specific maintenance procedures.
Preventative maintenance is necessary for diesel engines for extending the lifespan of the engine and increasing their fuel economy. However, Diesel Mechanics also inspect other parts.
Common maintenance tasks include changing the oil, rotating the tires, and checking fluid levels. The goal of maintenance is to detect issues before they become severe. When performing maintenance, Diesel Mechanics may find parts that require additional repairs or make notes to monitor the condition of a part.
Follow Checklists When Inspecting Critical Parts
After completing repairs or performing maintenance, Diesel Mechanics may need to perform an inspection of the vehicle before handing it over. The inspection often follows a checklist of critical parts that require careful review before the vehicle is considered roadworthy.
Along with diesel engines, Diesel Mechanics need to know how to inspect and repair brake systems, steering components, and electrical systems. They should possess the knowledge and skills to deal with any area of the vehicle.
A typical inspection of a diesel truck may require the Diesel Mechanic to inspect the inside of the cab. They may check the seat condition, the warning lights, the interior lights, horn operation, and A/C controls. Diesel Mechanics also inspect the pneumatic system, which may include checking the air system for leaks or testing for air pressure buildup.
Diesel Mechanics thoroughly inspect the exteriors of vehicles. They may need to examine the exhaust system, fuel tanks, bumpers, and the floor and seals of the cab body.
Test-Drive Vehicles to Inspect Their Performance
Along with a visual inspection, Diesel Mechanics may take vehicles for test drives to inspect their performance and handling. The test drive is often completed in a closed area, such as the parking lot of the facility where the Diesel Mechanic works. However, some situations may require a Diesel Mechanic to take the vehicle on the road or highway to test its performance in real conditions.
Repair or Replace Damaged or Worn Components
When performing maintenance or repairing a vehicle, Diesel Mechanics may need to repair or replace various components. Items may become damaged due to accidents or gradually become worn due to natural deterioration. Diesel Mechanics may also need to order replacement parts and notify customers of potential delays due to the wait.
What is the job like
My name is Anthony Boucher and I am the operations manager at A & J Generator. My experience consists of being a generator technician and diesel mechanic. My education is in Electrical Engineering. My job consists of keeping all of our departments flowing seamlessly. We have a service division, installation division, parts division, and rentals division.
To start my day, I am the first one in. First I go through the daily schedule of our technicians, this is to make sure they are ready with any type of parts they will need for that day. I will then add parts to each technician’s shelf for their respective day. When they come in, I give them a briefing on their jobs before they head out. Next, I will prepare the installation division on the day they have ahead as well. After everyone is briefed, I then begin my day.
Every day is a different challenge, somedays I am scheduling repairs with customers, performing customer service, assisting with the parts department, other days I am performing large repairs of generators. My favorite challenge is going to industrial generators that other generator companies cannot fix.
Pros
The pros of my job are that I learn something new every day! Whether it is learning how to run a better operation or learning more generator theory, every day is educational and is an absolute blast.
Cons
The only con of my job is that I always have to be ready to work. At A & J Generator, we pride ourselves on having the best service during any emergency situation, so this service comes at the price of me and my technicians ALWAYS ready to go on emergency service calls. At any second power can get cut off to any place for any reason, so if there is ever a generator failure during this time, we have to be ready at a moment’s notice at any time of the day to work. I even have canceled vacations because I knew a wind storm was coming for us that week. Even though I am always ready for emergency calls, I wouldn’t trade my job for anything. I absolutely love what I do and love my company.
Pros
You Have Independence and Freedom
Diesel Mechanics may need to follow work orders, but they often set their own pace and work on tasks in the sequence that they choose without direct supervision.
You Get to Stay Fit
Diesel Mechanics are on their feet most of the day and constantly dealing with heavy equipment and components, which helps keep you in shape.
There Are Limited Educational Requirements
While many employers prefer some type of postsecondary education, some employers hire junior-level employees directly out of high school.
You Could Become a Regular Mechanic
The skills that Diesel Mechanics develop are transferable to other mechanic jobs, such as working at a local auto body shop.
Cons
Noisy Working Conditions
Diesel Mechanics often work in garages and shops where excessive noise is a common part of the working conditions.
Potentially Unsafe Conditions
Diesel Mechanics are occasionally exposed to dangerous conditions, as they work with equipment that could result in injuries.
Where they work
About 20% of Diesel Mechanics work in the truck transportation industry, helping to maintain and repair semis and transport vehicles. Many Diesel Mechanics work for companies that offer aftermarket wholesale diesel engine parts. Close to 9% of Diesel Mechanics work for independent automotive repair companies at local garages.
An equal number of Diesel Mechanics work for local governments, repairing the diesel engines needed for public services, such as trash and recycling. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 4% of Diesel Mechanics are self-employed.
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How to become one
Step 1: Study Mechanics in High School
Aspiring Diesel Mechanics should learn more about drivetrains and vehicle components. Some high schools and vocational schools offer auto repair courses for students.
Step 2: Earn a Certificate in Diesel Engine Repair
Many employers prefer to hire Diesel Mechanics with at least a postsecondary certificate in Diesel Engine Repair. Certificates are available through vocational schools and community colleges.
Step 3: Earn an Associate’s Degree in Diesel Engine Repair
Earning an Associate’s Degree in Diesel Engine Repair is an alternative to earning a certificate. An Associate’s Degree looks more attractive on resumes, which may lead to more career opportunities.
Step 4: Look for Journey-Level Diesel Technician Positions
Diesel Mechanics often start with entry-level jobs and receive on-the-job training. The job title is often called “Journey-Level Diesel Technician.”
Step 5: Earn ASE Certification
Diesel Mechanics typically earn certification through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Certifications are available in specific categories, such as drivetrains. To earn a certification, you need at least two years of work experience. After certification, you may progress from Journey-Level Diesel Technician to Diesel Mechanic.
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
Diesel Mechanics should be patient, as they often need to explain complex mechanical problems to non-technical people. Attentiveness is also useful in this career, as attentive people are more likely to detect issues that require repair during an inspection. Diesel Mechanics should also be comfortable working with others and communicating with customers, as they may need to keep customers updated on the progress of repairs.
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