Becoming a Diesel Tech

[pfhWJ]

To start I'm 21 just started working a garage doing oil changes, easy stuff and just helping out on brake jobs water pumps ect. I've been a ******** DIY'er for a while and do a lot of small engines work too/work on my own vehicle.
I dont see myself in a college doing traditional 4 year degree, however if I have an interest in a subject my focus will be concentrated on it to learn whatever it is as best as possible. Id like to go to school then become Ford certified, maybe later down the road open a powerstroke specialty shop, and performance application.

Ive enrolled in a summer 101 into to automotive class at my local community college make sure this is the right path for me, before I spend the big bucks on diesel school.

Input from someone in diesel would be appreciated. What the best schooling out there? And whats the best way to go at this?

 

[Kenskip1]

Years ago I wanted to work on airplanes but skool was to expensive. So what did I do? I joined the USAF.
Have you thought of asking the service what they have to offer?The coast guard needs men on their boats. I would go and talk to a Army recruiter and see what they have to offer. I was in for 12 years and it was the best time of my life. I worked on B52G bombers. Ken

 

[joedodge]

Find a good local community college.or trade school that's where the best educations and teachers come from. Big box school .........well it's all about numbers and money. In diesel I've always recommended fleet work, it's been great to me and my family

 

[pfhWJ]

Find a good local community college.or trade school that's where the best educations and teachers come from. Big box school .........well it's all about numbers and money. In diesel I've always recommended fleet work, it's been great to me and my family

I agree about big box schools. My boss recommended me not to go to a big box school. I called just to see what they would say. 30k for a 45 week course and thats just for general diesel, hydrolic electrical systems. Then if you want to do a specialty program that's extra. Yeah ill pass.

 

[StackedDodge96]

Check out the diesel mechanics thread in free parking...we share alot of our projects from work and usually help one another out

 

[ihatethatguy]

had a friend in the army and he was a mechanic for 3 1/3 years. he learned how to take batteries in and out of humvee. the real technical stuff the military contracts out to civilians. I went/am going to a big box school. but i went for the specific reason to specialize. but thats a whole different thing. going to school for it is a better option than just learning on the go-so to speak. if you can do both at the same time youll be far ahead, a paper trail will get you in doors thats for sure. the more certs and credentials you have the better. smarter car= smarter technician to work on it and thats about all there is too it. just my .02

 

[chris142]

If you work on big stuff be prepared to climb up and down big wheels all day and to work with just 2 toes holding you on the greasy frame rail.

 

[Smokenarrow]

Join IATN and become active on there. Read up and join in conversation on the forums. There is a wealth of knowledge to be had from some of the members who have lifetimes of experience. I'm green in the field but like you, I was constantly tinkering and getting my hands dirty. I opened my own shop 3yrs ago and haven't looked back. Your best experience will be hands on and not sitting in a classroom learning theory that will be forgotten as soon as you get into the field. You HAVE to love to wrench or you will burn out fast.

 

[mudflap]

Diesel / Hydraulics is the way to go...I have been at the City Garage for over 20 yrs..I have long time friends that have moved from car dealership...to car dealership, their entire career. Just seems like theirs too much drama working on cars....lol

 

[Heavy tech]

Go big or go home. If you like power strokes, buy one. If you want to work on diesels work on big ones.
Fleet work provides a steady reliable source of income, and still plenty of opportunity for OT and OEM training.
Dealerships are likely to pay better, and the in house training is phenomenal in some of these places. Caterpillar is one of the best companies to work for around here, in any sector.


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[Ruger_556]

Check out the diesel mechanics thread in free parking...we share alot of our projects from work and usually help one another out

This ^^^ and community college is the way to go as most have an internship program.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

had a friend in the army and he was a mechanic for 3 1/3 years. he learned how to take batteries in and out of humvee. the real technical stuff the military contracts out to civilians.

There is a reason half the guys I went to school with just got back from overseas. The military will not teach you how to work on any diesels that will provide you with a job when you get out.

To the OP:

Contact your local CAT dealership and ask about doing a job shadow. You can go in and help a tech for a full shift and get a good feel of what the job entails. It was a lot of fun when I did it, and got a recommendation for hire after one day.

Where are you located?

Look into a real tech school program, there aren't a ton of shortcuts to get into the field without getting stuck in a truck shop and not being able to advance.

 

[Philbert]

When I was Overseas In Kuwait and Iraq the Mechanics I know where doing every thing on the Hummers and the HET's. And alot of times they had to get them trucks up and running anyway they could. Which would inevitably cause problems on the road. But the big bosses didn't see it that way. Yeah they did everything from replacing a battery to partial engine overhauls.

 

[sdguy55]

I'll echo what most are saying here. Community college is the way to go. Honestly your just there to get your feet wet. The real learning comes from doing the actual work anyways.

What are you interested in? Automotive diesel? Trucks? Ag?

 

[BRIANBB]

My son took the Diesel Tech program at Texas State Tech Institute(Waco). Job offers right away after graduating.

 

[bobcatdan]

To start I'm 21 just started working a garage doing oil changes, easy stuff and just helping out on brake jobs water pumps ect. I've been a ******** DIY'er for a while and do a lot of small engines work too/work on my own vehicle.
I dont see myself in a college doing traditional 4 year degree, however if I have an interest in a subject my focus will be concentrated on it to learn whatever it is as best as possible. Id like to go to school then become Ford certified, maybe later down the road open a powerstroke specialty shop, and performance application.

Ive enrolled in a summer 101 into to automotive class at my local community college make sure this is the right path for me, before I spend the big bucks on diesel school.

Input from someone in diesel would be appreciated. What the best schooling out there? And whats the best way to go at this?

The ford ASSET program is a joke, I can't recommamd it to anyone. My two cents is go to school for heavy diesel. Also if you go to work in a ford dealer, you have to be ford diesel certified to touch one under warranty.

 

[bw77]

If you are in the right location, check out the CAT Think Big program.

http://www.caterpillar.com/en/careers/career-areas/dealer-technician/education.html

 

[AJH]

I recently graduated from my local tech college's 2-year Associate's Degree program in diesel. I too recommend a good technical college over the for-profit places you may see advertised on TV and such. There were students who left the college program thinking those might be better, but transferred right back with reports of very little in the way of actual hands-on equipment to get experience with. On top of that, the tuition was nuts.

Don't slack off in the general education classes. You will greatly increase your marketability if you develop skills in addition to wrenching, like verbal and written communication.

Tours are free. Take some tours of schools you're interested in and come prepared with as many questions as you can think of. If you go for it and enroll, you will find that the 2 years is over before you know it and you've got your degree.

 

[powerstroker]

I walked in to an international dealership 5 minutes from my house with a resume. Walked straight in with the service manager and had an interview the next week. Turns out it wasnt an interview but an offer. He had the paperwork out and ready to go. 5 weeks later I am absolutely loving it. Elbow deep in engines and rolling around on my creeper. I love it.


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[Glammers37]

I agree, find your local tech school and get enrolled. Absorb as much as you can. Learn electricity! You can teach a monkey to put a piston on a rod, or change a set of brake shoes, but if you don't understand the flow of electrons, and how a relay works your lost. This equipment anymore is so technological now, if you become good at troubleshooting, you can name your price. I have spent almost 40 yrs working in the trade as a fleet bus/diesel tech, plus working out of my home shop. I now manage 4 shops and 20 techs. Love going work everyday. Just my 2 cents. Good luck!

 

[pfhWJ]

Im located about 45 miles for Chicago, northwest suburbs. Thanks for the responses I'll defiantly look more into what the community college surrounding me offer. I think in this day and age, whatever your profession is, be damn good at it and make yourself stand out from the crowd. Specializing in something is very important too. Diagnostics and electronics knowledge is defiantly a must in the automotive industry

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Im located about 45 miles for Chicago, northwest suburbs. Thanks for the responses I'll defiantly look more into what the community college surrounding me offer. I think in this day and age, whatever your profession is, be damn good at it and make yourself stand out from the crowd. Specializing in something is very important too. Diagnostics and electronics knowledge is defiantly a must in the automotive industry

The diesel industry is getting flooded with young techs fresh out of high school now. Definitely focus on electrical troubleshooting. I love electrical, and continued on through an Onsite Power Generation program.

 

[powerstroker]

The diesel industry is getting flooded with young techs fresh out of high school now. Definitely focus on electrical troubleshooting. I love electrical, and continued on through an Onsite Power Generation program.

Yes this is very true. I know tons of guys my age who are looking to jump right in fresh out of high school. Can be really good depending on where you apply. I know the hydro company around here only hires kids straight out of high school for their fleet maintenance shop. The idea being they teach them everything from scratch. I've learned real quick at my new job that it's all about the diagnostics, electrical and emissions systems nowadays. These things are high tech and I would think it would be a huge asset to have solid foundations in those systems.


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[msgtsmithret]

ABL. Always Be Learning.

I started with the diesel program at Boise State University, joined the USMC as a diesel tech where they sent me to every school you can think of, worked as a tech in every clime and place for many years - all the while going to more schools (like Vickers and Wajax hydraulics courses). I was an instructor for three years, teaching diesel engine rebuild as well as turbos, Jake brakes and Roots blowers. I've stayed in the field ever since. The point is I've spent 35 plus years learning, and that's what you need to do if you want to be successful. The only guys to watch out for are those that "know it all". They are like weightlifters that stop going to the gym, yet think they still have it.

 

[powerstroker]

That's a great analogy! Haha


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[StackedDodge96]

My son took the Diesel Tech program at Texas State Tech Institute(Waco). Job offers right away after graduating.

What year? I went through the program as well!

 

[DieselRiver]

To those who say diesel school is expensive, i guess im fortunate enough my local tech school is $10,000 for the whole 2 year course, not bad if you ask me

 

[joedodge]

Same here. Mine might have been a lil less that was 8 years ago too and the price hasn't changed

 

[StackedDodge96]

To those who say diesel school is expensive, i guess im fortunate enough my local tech school is $10,000 for the whole 2 year course, not bad if you ask me

and if you look hard enough alot of jobs will pay you back for your schooling!

 

[bw77]

I walked in to an international dealership 5 minutes from my house with a resume. Walked straight in with the service manager and had an interview the next week. Turns out it wasnt an interview but an offer. He had the paperwork out and ready to go. 5 weeks later I am absolutely loving it. Elbow deep in engines and rolling around on my creeper. I love it.

What was your education and experience when you were hired?

 

[drabe7]

Im currently enrolled in the diesel Tech program at Morrisville in NY. To get the best opportunities you need an a degree like an associates which what I'll be getting. I'm only 2 semesters in and I already have job offers. Hell I had the guy from the Caterpillar dealership off me a summer internship which I will be doing. Pays good too. A degree is what employers want to see. An associates is really all thats needed.

 

[powerstroker]

What was your education and experience when you were hired?

Fresh out of high school with 2 years experience working at a ****** shop in the afternoon and on weekends.


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[crewchief888]

PM send to the OP

 

[newchris]

id avoid the military for mechanics... the techs in my battalion top off oil. I am a diesel mechanic and i lucked out by hanging around my uncles construction company and i ended up helping him on projects and he eventually hired me full time as his mechanic. getting thrown into the mix with all kinds of projects gave me invaluable experience that no school could. when things went south with me and him i got a job at a school bus company and recently got promoted to shop foreman. sometimes luck of the draw but you have to anticipate starting small. I was an 18 college drop out that had just joined the national guard with no skills other than working on my volkswagen in high school who occasional helped my uncle move old tires and it got me pretty far pretty quick.