Here is a great video from www.CollegesandUniversities.org that gives you a good understanding of what a Diesel Mechanic is and does.
Diesel Mechanic Training – The Job Description
Before starting your Diesel Mechanic Training, it’s crucial to begin with a solid understanding of the job description, the called for job responsibilities and also any necessary skillsets needed to become one.
There are many distinct career descriptions for a Diesel Mechanic depending on the specialty field in which you are applying, yet it is possible to sum all the various descriptions as such:
Deliver total service care by looking over, restoring and also repairing brand-new as well as previously owned vehicles that run on a diesel power-train.
A Diesel Technician is definitely expected to provide professional solutions in a lot of various service situations. They must be familiar with and have a strong sense for working with mechanical parts as well as being proficient with electric systems, and also be able to use the tools critical for working with these systems. A Diesel Mechanic needs to have the critical thinking skills necessary to assist in identifying, repairing and performing the routine maintenances encountered in this line of work. Interacting with customers might actually be required for this line of work as well, which means basic customer service abilities such as active listening and common courtesy will be important.
A Diesel Mechanic gets paid to conduct analyses, mends and reconditions almost everything that works with a diesel motor. As a result of the performance and strength of a diesel motor, they have long been maintained as the industry standard as the workhorse in charge of running plenty of commercialized vehicles, namely buses, trucks and heavy vehicles like construction equipment. This is a major explanation for the continuous interest and need for premium diesel mechanics within the diesel service industry.
Most Diesel Technicians hired in today’s market earn a living for private companies concentrating on maintaining equipment put to use in general freight trucking. No matter which section of the world you might reside in, there will definitely be a demand for checking, overhauling and refurbishing almost everything that makes use of a diesel engine for its motor system.
While there are numerous types of vehicles that utilize a diesel motor, the diesel maintenance mechanic can easily count on a reasonable amount of frequency in the repair obligations for which they will need to execute. The diesel technician that helps maintain a fleet of freight trucks would most likely carry out much the same undertakings as the diesel repairman who helps maintain their neighborhood school buses.
Many Diesel Technicians will want to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), especially so if the job duties require them to perform test runs on a vehicle which mandates an endorsement. This kind of vehicle may be definitely one that offers a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) consisting of 26,001 lbs., that moves hazardous materials and/or designed to transport 16 or more people. Although the styles of vehicles calling for a CDL in order to drive them may possibly be unalike from area to area, among the most commonplace forms are usually buses, semi-trucks and even tow trucks.
A Diesel Mechanic would normally need to be able to follow a checklist based on typical assessment policies, and be able to create documents and always keep notes appropriate for each up keep carried out throughout the day.
Most Diesel Mechanics will definitely want to have the ability to try out vehicles in order to assist with determining virtually any issues or even faults with the vehicles they happen to be dealing with.
A Diesel Technician definitely will need to understand the best ways to make use of hand-held code readers along with notebook computers in order to help in pointing out complications identified with the challenging electronic and digital systems which are usually installed to regulate the operation for today’s diesel motor. They may also have to have knowledge of the best way to go over and understand the diagnostic details from the test results to help them in correcting all these systems.
A Diesel Specialist will also be relied upon to understand relevant tools, practices and procedures to encourage accurate checkups and up keep of steering, brake, transmission, engine and many other essential setups available on the vehicles in their repair. Among the best practices for a diesel technician to continue to be current in their knowledge of diesel engines is to continue to be accredited through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
Many of the common responsibilities a Diesel Technician will be asked to do are inspecting brakes, aligning tires, changing oil and using hydraulic hoists to lift heavy parts and vehicles. Lots of various sorts of equipment and tools definitely will be made use of to finish these projects, consisting of hand tools like wrenches, pliers and also screwdrivers as well as a wide array of power and machine tools like grinding machines, welding equipment and lathes.
Lastly, good communication skills from a Diesel Mechanic are necessary, considering that they will most likely be communicating with several different kinds of clients from all walks of life. Offering impressive customer service will definitely help. Be sure they are able to deal with clients’ concerns and questions, and will be able to explain any of the work they have finished or are ready to provide for a client.
In addition, you can find easy to use, helpful information about diesel mechanic training at http://www.dieselmechanictraininghq.com.
Diesel Mechanic Training Headquarters is a site dedicated to helping everyone begin and advance their career in the diesel service industry. Start your diesel mechanic training today!
Article by: Brad W. Davidson
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brad_W_Davidson
How Diesel Mechanic Schools Work
Diesel mechanics are commonly known as bus or truck mechanics. They generally work on a wide range of diesel engines, like those found on buses, trucks, bulldozers, cranes, tractors, RVs and even trains. The work involves tuning up and maintenance, to guarantee the smooth functioning of the engine.
Diesel Mechanic Schools train and prepare the students to pursue exciting and satisfying careers as Diesel Service Technicians, Auto-Diesel Mechanics or Diesel Mechanics. Training incorporates the use of diesel truck engines, heavy equipment vehicles and bus fleets. In addition, they learn all about automotive engines, repairing of diesel fuel ignition systems, brakes, transmission, emissions diesel power trains, electronic technology fundamentals and advanced diagnostic systems. Graduates acquire degrees and diplomas. Diesel Mechanic Schools provide students with the necessary practical training, to prepare them for the future. A diesel mechanic will be trained to use a wide assortment of power tools, lathes, machine tools and grinding machines.
Career Highlights:
a) A career as a Diesel Mechanic offers fairly high earnings and the opportunity to repair.
b) Prospects are likely to be excellent for people who graduate from a formal diesel mechanic training program or school.
c) National certification is the acknowledged standard of accomplishment for diesel mechanics.
Training and Development:
Even though most people are eligible to become diesel mechanics through years of training, authorities suggest the completion of an official diesel engine mechanic training program. Employers prefer hiring people who have completed formal diesel engine training programs.
One of the features of the Directory of Schools is the Diesel Repair School Program. Such programs last for 6 months to 2 years and provide certification or an associate degree on completion of the course. Programs differ in the level of practical training that they offer on equipment. Some programs provide about 30 hours of training every week on equipment, while other programs provide more of classroom training. Training establishes a concrete foundation when it comes to modern diesel technology, repairing of diesel engine vehicles and equipment that technicians will come across on the job. In addition, training programs develop the skills required to understand technical manuals and to converse with colleagues and customers.
Besides the practical features of the training, many institutions teach communication skills, customer service, a basic understanding of the physics and logical thinking. More and more employers have been working intimately with representatives of training programs and supplying instructors, using the latest equipment, methods and tools.
Employment opportunities:
In 2000, the number of jobs held by diesel mechanics reached 300,000. About 30% of these workers repaired buses, trucks and other diesel powered equipment for clients. The clientele comprised of vehicle equipment dealers, automotive rental agencies or self-governing automotive repair shops. Another 30% worked under local and national trucking companies, while 20% serviced the buses, trucks and other gear of bus lines, public transport companies, schooling organizations and central, state or local governments.
The remaining diesel mechanics serviced vehicles and other equipment for manufacturing and construction companies. A fairly small percentage was self-employed.
Article by: Kriss Koonar
Article Source: http://www.dailynewarticles.com
Importance of Scheduled Diesel Engine Maintenance
Although proper maintenance is critical for gas powered vehicles, diesel engine maintenance by a qualified diesel tech is almost more important. This type of engine has a unique design and while it provides unique benefits not found with standard cars and trucks, proper upkeep is imperative. Now, the good news is that when scheduled diesel engine maintenance is provided, this type of vehicle can easily last twice as long as what a person would get out of a vehicle running on regular gasoline.
Because proper diesel engine maintenance is the key to enjoying all the benefits that come from this kind of engine, we wanted to take the opportunity to provide information about some of the specific things that would need to be focused on. Whether having maintenance work performed at the dealership, a local repair shop, or an individual doing the work, taking the time to keep to a schedule would be critical.
Proper Lubrication
When purchasing lubrication oil for a diesel powered vehicle, only a top brand should be chosen. Even if high quality lube cost more, it would be much better on a diesel engine. The primary reason for this is that just recently, lubrication oil for diesel engines underwent change, something that some people are still unaware of, even those who own a diesel engine vehicle.
Normal diesel engine maintenance for lubrication is set at 100-hour intervals because of the volume of carbon ending up in the oil. Unless lubrication is changed more this often, a buildup would occur, causing lubrication to be compromised. In addition, heat transfer would be blocked by the carbon in which the oil’s cooling ability would change. A third reason for 100-interval lubrication of a diesel powered vehicle is that sulfuric acid can build up in the engine oil, which would cause serious damage to the bearings.
Cooling System
Of all components of diesel engines that get damaged the most, the cooling system sits at the top of the list. Following good diesel engine maintenance practices for the cooling system is imperative since this engine design involves operation under piston compression between 350 and 550 psi, which is as much as four times greater than that of a gasoline engine. As a person could imagine, tremendous strain is placed on the engine so if the cooling system is not operating properly, heat buildup could occur in as little as one minute.
Compared to gas powered engines, the proper diesel engine maintenance of the cooling system is much more important. Although gas engines can also overheat, engines do not experience significant damage but again, when a diesel engine overheats, even on a minor level, significant damage would be possible. Sadly, the main reason this happens is because of poor diesel engine maintenance.
Gaskets
As part of diesel engine maintenance an individual would also need to be considered with the system’s gaskets. Over time, gaskets erode, which leads to leaks. For this reason, gaskets should also be checked on a scheduled basis. After all, if a leak were to develop, coolant leaks out, the engine overheats, and as mentioned above, serious damage would likely occur. A huge problem could be avoided by regularly checking gaskets, as well as coolant level.
Problems with Vibration
A vehicle’s engine vibrates on occasion, something caused by a number of things. In a gasoline operated vehicle, an individual would typically have adequate time to get the vibration checked and fixed. However, with a diesel engine, once the engine vibrates it would be essential to have it checked immediately. If not, the entire engine could be severely damaged. The reason is that with an engine of this type, any vibration could cause hoses to loosen or gaskets to break or crack. With this, fluids would begin to leak, causing damage before the problem could be fixed.
Fuel System
Another aspect of diesel engine maintenance considered a high priority has to do with the fuel system. Although an engine would not usually experience damage because of a fault within this system, the fuel system itself could be damaged that would lead to an array of serious problems. One of the main reasons that a fuel system becomes damaged or contaminated is from getting dirty.
As part of diesel engine maintenance, only a high quality filter should be used. In addition, an individual should pay close attention to the type of fuel being put into the vehicle, making sure it is the cleanest and purest available. During scheduled diesel engine maintenance if contamination were found within the fuel dock and the vehicle had an open filter, cleanup would be easy but if water were to get in the tank, professional repair and maintenance would be essential.
Water can get inside a fuel tank of a diesel engine vehicle because of a leaking filter cap. This would be an easy thing to identify and fix during scheduled maintenance. However, a vent line that had been installed incorrectly could be a reason for water in the fuel tank, as well as condensation associated with regions with high humidity levels. No matter the cause, conducting regular diesel engine maintenance could identify problems, giving the vehicle owner an opportunity to get things taken care of prior to damage being done.
Remember, a schedule should be established for diesel engine maintenance every 12 months but also for seasonal changes. Below are some of the other aspects of a diesel powered vehicle that should be checked during schedule maintenance.
- Aspiration System
- Coolers
- Engine Alarm
- Exhaust Temperature Alarm
- Vent Filters
Heavy Equipment Mechanic Jobs: What They Are and How to Find Them
Heavy Equipment Mechanic Job Description
Heavy equipment mechanic jobs require specialists in the field of diesel repair. Heavy equipment mechanics don’t work on passenger cars or small pickup trucks with diesel engines. Rather, most of their clientele need maintenance and repair on things such as large marine vehicles and machines, tractors and farm machinery, trains and railway equipment, and construction equipment such as dump trucks and bulldozers. Because of the sheer size of the machines and vehicles they work on, some heavy equipment mechanic jobs require that their technicians work on-site. Having on-site or mobile repair technicians is especially useful for construction companies, railroad companies or marine vehicle owners who would have a lot of difficulty transporting their broken heavy equipment to a mechanic shop.
In general, the primary goals for heavy equipment mechanic jobs are:
- To perform upkeep and maintenance of all types of heavy equipment.
- To repair any heavy equipment that has broken down or isn’t performing effectively or efficiently.
- To make maintenance or repair calls on-site, when necessary.
- To perform safety-tests on heavy equipment.
- To clean and lubricate heavy duty equipment and machines.
However, because heavy equipment mechanic jobs cover such a large field (literally and figuratively) many heavy duty mechanics choose to specialize in one or two areas of the field. For example, you might find a heavy equipment technician that works specifically in industrial settings, and goes on-site. Their job is specific enough, but would still include a huge range of jobs. An industrial heavy equipment mechanic might have to work in one or all of these settings: a large plant or factory, at a logging site, a mining site or even at an airport.
Other subspecialties of heavy equipment mechanic jobs, which are even more specific, include:
Construction and Mining. Some diesel technicians only work on vehicle and machines such as bulldozers, excavators, cranes, tractors, drills, and graders.
Forestry Equipment. Landscaping and land clearing equipment are one other subspecialty of heavy equipment mechanic jobs.
Farm and Garden Equipment. Some heavy duty mechanics specialize in the service and repair of farm equipment like heavy duty tractors or even smaller lawn mowers and garden tractors.
Transportation. This could include trains and railroad equipment, large passenger buses and large trucks.
Other Repair and Service Equipment. Heavy mechanic jobs may also call for subspecialists who have experience repairing loaders, shovels, trucks, drills, and wheeled and tracked vehicles.
Government Equipment and Vehicles. Service technicians might be employed by their government to work on government owned transportation, machinery or military equipment, such as tanks and armored vehicles.
How to Find Heavy Equipment Mechanic Jobs
One big advantage to field of heavy equipment repair being so large and have so many subspecialties is that there are a lot of heavy equipment mechanic jobs out there. If you want to find a heavy equipment mechanic job, you must first be trained. Heavy equipment mechanic training and programs vary greatly from country to country. In some countries, like Canada, training can be quite formal and serious candidates even follow their training with official apprenticeships that might last up to 4 years.
In the U.S. you won’t find highly specialized courses in heavy equipment repair. However, many vocational schools and community colleges will offer courses for more general repair. Many of these schools will offer classes that are geared towards those who know they want to specifically find heavy equipment mechanic work after graduating. After one or two years of formal education or training, either a certification or an associate’s degree will be awarded. From there, graduates can seek out entry-level heavy equipment mechanic jobs. While entry-level positions won’t be the highest paid and will probably be somewhat limited to simpler jobs at first, after three to four years of experience, most will consider you a fully qualified heavy equipment mechanic. In fact, highly-skilled heavy equipment mechanics are in demand in many countries. Canadian Immigration lists heavy equipment mechanic on as being one of its ‘Priority Occupations’, meaning that you get high points on their visa point scale for being a heavy equipment mechanic. So for those with a few years of experience, you can even broaden your search for heavy equipment mechanic jobs across multiple nations!
Diesel Engine Parts: A General Guide to the Main Components
At some point, mechanics, car enthusiasts, or people who just like to dabble in do-it-yourself auto repair, might need to know a thing or two about diesel engine parts. For those who already know quite a bit about gasoline engines, how they function, and what their major parts are, you will be glad to know that several diesel engine parts are very similar. In fact, many diesel engine parts are more or less the same as their gasoline engine counterparts – they are just a bit sturdier and hardier. As far as diesel engine parts that you will not see (as compared to a gasoline engine), most notably absent will be spark plugs and all the other components of the spark ignition system used in petrol engines.
For you newly training diesel mechanics or diesel engine car owners, here is a general guide to some of the main diesel engine parts that you will need to be familiar with.
- Injection Fuel Pump. This diesel engine part is in charge of pumping fuel in the cylinders of a diesel engine. The gears or a toothed belt (like the timing belt) drive the camshaft. The camshaft indirectly drives the pump. The pump rotates at approximately half the speed of the crankshift (in a four-stroke engine).
- Camshaft. This diesel engine part is made up of two things, a “cam” and a “shaft”. When a shaft is attached to a cam or when they are integrated, it is referred to as a camshaft. The camshaft pushes against valves which open as the camshaft rotates. Springs on the valves help them go back to a closed position. This is a very important process in the diesel engine. A faulty camshaft can greatly reduce the engine’s performance.
- Crankshaft. This is also sometimes just referred to as the ‘crank’. It is the part of a diesel engine that turns linear piston motion into rotation. To convert the motion into rotation, the crankshaft has “crankpins” (surfaces offset from that of the crankshaft) to which the ends of connecting rods from each cylinder attach. It is typically connected to a flywheel and sometimes is connected to either a torsional or vibrational damper at the opposing end.
- Rocker Arm. This is a lever that swings back and forth. It conveys radial movement from the cam into linear movement at the poppet valve. This movement opens the poppet valve. One end of the Rocker Arm is raised and lowered by the rotating lobes of the camshaft. Meanwhile, the opposite end acts on the valve stem. When the camshaft lobe lifts up the outside of the Rocker Arm, the inside presses down on the valve stem, opening the valve. When the outside of the arm returns to the original position (as the camshift rotates), the inside of the arm rises up and causes the valve spring to close the giver. The drive cam is driven by the camshaft which pushes the rocker arm up and down around the trunnion pin.
- Diesel Oil Pump. This is another diesel engine part that works with the camshaft of the engine. The main function of the diesel oil pump is to take oil back to its source when pressure goes above the preset limit. Most diesel oil pumps have a spring-loaded pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve is key in the functioning of the oil pump.
- Fuel Filter. A diesel engine fuel filter is precisely what the name implies. Most internal combustion engines nowadays have them. Their main purpose is to keep particles (such as dust, dirt, paint, rust, etc.) out of the fuel. If the fuel filter fails, this means a lot of damage for the injection fuel pump and the entire fuel system. Effective fuel filters is one of the diesel engine parts that can instantly affect efficiency – if the fuel is contaminated, it won’t burn as efficiently as it should.
As a final note, replacing diesel engine parts with traditional iron ones will maximize the life of the car or equipment you are repairing. There have been some moves toward manufacturing aluminum diesel engine parts, but these aren’t as durable as the original iron ones.