It's not precisely an engineering job or a job as a mechanical engineer, but being a diesel mechanic is certainly challenging and rewarding nonetheless. And like a mechanical engineer or another engineering job, it requires analytical skills many people don't have so if you have particular skills in this area and you don't think a four-year degree is for you, getting certification as a diesel mechanic may just be your best bet.
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What Does a Diesel Mechanic do?
Because diesel engines are both durable and efficient (more so than gasoline engines), they comprise the majority of engines in buses, trucks, locomotives, etc. They are also becoming quite prevalent in light vehicles, including pickups, work trucks, and passenger vehicles.
These mechanics, such as those mechanics that work on bus and truck fleets must repair and maintain these engines to keep the transportation system running smoothly. Some diesel mechanics repair and maintain diesel engines in these types of fleets, while other mechanics specialize in mobile equipment and heavy vehicles like bulldozers, road graders, tractors, combines, and cranes. Still other diesel mechanics work on passenger vehicles like cars, trucks, and boats.
Again, although not an engineering job per se, diesel technicians and mechanics must be very versatile and must be able to keep up on new technologies as they continue to evolve. Diesel mechanics and technicians, for example, may have to work on diesel engines one day and then on a vehicle's electrical system the next day. Just as with regular gasoline powered engines, diesel engines, too, are becoming more complex, because more electronics are added to the engine to make it run more efficiently. This requires certain knowledge in computer technologies, too. Just as one example, microprocessors now run engine timing and fuel injections on new cars.
The vehicles previously mentioned must also often be retrofitted with technology so that they can pass current emission standards, like emission filters and catalysts. Diesel mechanics must be able to do this, too, so as to comply with current pollution standards. Modern diesel mechanic technology utilizes hand-held or laptop computers to adjust function and diagnose a problem, which means that diesel mechanics, like a mechanical engineer or another type of engineering job, must also have at least some computer know-how.
Much of the diesel mechanics job requires that he or she keep on top of vehicles in terms of preventive maintenance rather than dealing with actual damage. Therefore, they must also run routine maintenance checks on brake systems, wheel bearings, steering mechanisms, and other important parts of a car or truck's function. Thereafter, any problems found must be repaired.
Education
Although it's not absolutely imperative that you must have formal training to become a diesel mechanic, it most certainly is going to give you a leg up over other candidates for a particular job. Employers prefer graduates who have gone through formal training because it shows that they can learn quickly and can adapt to new knowledge, methods, and techniques as needed. Much of the time, journey level technicians can advance quite quickly if they've had certification and formal training, while it may take three or four years of on-the-job experience to attain the same level of expertise without formal education. Most vocational, trade and community colleges offer diesel engine repair courses. They may come with an associates degree or certificate of completion. Students work up to 30 hours a week in a lab, with classroom instruction, or with hands on training. National certification through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is not necessary, but can certainly help with advancement.
Salary and Employment
Diesel mechanics are employed in every industry, and job prospects are good for the foreseeable future. About 6% of those who work in this field are self-employed. Median salary for experienced diesel mechanics is about $20 an hour.
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