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Yes I know its a broad question, but I want to see everyone’s opinion.
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I am 14 and currently going to high school, it will be a year or two from now when I am able to choose a duel enrollment. Currently I like working on cars when ever I can, but I’ve heard that most diesel mechanics get paid more, but have less time to finish their tasks. So, what is your opinion?
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I do not know about less time to finish tasks. We are normally pushed along because time is money and what we work on is how most business’ make their money.
I suggest you look at this: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/15-Technicians-Only/57524-auto-tech-and-diesel-tech
It covers a lot about it. I am a diesel tech. Like most mechanics it can be easy going one day and hell the next. A lot of issues you will run into is people not knowing wth they are doing, not caring, or just patch working stuff to make it work. Either that or lack of proper preventive maintenance. This is what 3/4 of the problems that arise with Big Rigs are. It is also why they can be constantly in and out of the shop.
Diesel tech is very hard labor intensive work. All mechanics is done at an accelerated pace. We are talking 15 min or less oil changes for automotive. Or 3 hr Wet B service PM for Big Rigs aka checking everything you can see visually, testing all fluids and recording levels, and replacing all filters, priming the fuel system, and doing an oil change. I can barely get it done in that time and it took 2 yrs to get to that point. Though when I am done unlike most i have a page and a half of problems with the truck.
There’s another type of diesel tech that is not involved with rigs and commercial HD trucks, but rather light trucks with diesel engines (F-350’s, Ram 3500’s, Allison/Duramax Silverados, etc). These are guys who work at a Domestic dealer but only deal with the diesel pickup trucks. They might be the higher paid guys you hear about. Every once in a awhile, there is a GM/Ford/Dodge dealer with a help wanted ad out looking for some diesel guru and begging to pay them big money and sign-on bonuses.
At this point, you have to think about what you want to be working on. I always liked driving small cars and that’s what I’ve always specialized in. I don’t like the way that domestics or trucks tend to be designed/built, so I’ve made it a point to stay as far away as possible from them despite bouncing around a few dealers before settling down with a Mitsubishi/large used car dealer. I was with Hyundai/Kia and Suzuki for the first several years, also brands that don’t make big trucks. When I interviewed at my Mitsubishi dealer, I stipulated that I don’t want to work on trucks unless it’s absolutely necessary as part of our agreement. Even though we sell and deal with way more trucks than we should, I only work on a truck once every couple of months.
Trucks often require major slaughtering operations with large heavy tools to get things apart and back together, which is also not easy unless you’re a big dude. For instance I have no problem with my biggest sledge hammer being a 2lb, but that sounds like a child’s toy to MDK22 or any other truck mechanic. Trucks are made from big heavy rusty parts that most owners/drivers keep as dirty as possible like it’s some kind of rolling filth badge or something. Cars are also incredibly disgusting as well. Yesterday at work, I was mentioning how I had been in 3 cars so far that day that smelled worse than the last set of couple year old brown nasty worn out bed pillows I threw out.
Enough rambling for now I guess, I could go on tangents for hours. Obviously I can tell you more about working on cars as opposed to trucks, so feel free to ask if you have more specific questions, young man.
If you have specific questions about working on big rigs aka anything that requires a cdl to drive feel free to ask.
[quote=”Fopeano” post=144490]Trucks are made from big heavy rusty parts that most owners/drivers keep as dirty as possible like it’s some kind of rolling filth badge or something. [/quote]
It is a rare day that we get a really clean one (other then new) that comes in and you better not leave a smudge or that driver will go nuts. Also the going theory is oil = rust preventative :p
I would steer towards the diesel side of things. But there are a few routes you could go.
Consider that there are more and more diesel offerings from car manufactures than ever, and I suspect it will grow even more. You could go through with an automotive apprenticeship and eventually open a shop that specializes in diesel engines. Cars, Jeeps, Pick Ups, SUVs, whatever. They’re all going super computerized and eventually someone who can work on very computerized diesel engines will be an asset. If you went that direction make note that alot of the current diesel offerings are european cars, or european engines in domestic cars. You may find yourself just being a euro car repair shop that can work on the new diesels as well as regular every day stuff that picky BMW owners don’t want Mr. Lube touching.
Another route is the commercial side of things. Trucks, busses. Also consider big diesel engines are found in many things, like ships/boats, generators etc etc.
My last opinion might be the best one. Heavy duty equipment mechanics are in short supply. Shops that not only work on regular commercial truck chassis related things but also work on complex hydraulic systems you find in man lifts / boom systems are crying for good techs. Its a very specialized field and given the fact that a person’s life may rely on the fact that the lift works properly means that good techs are essential. Lift trucks are also always in the shop for one thing or another. Things wear out, booms have to be tested for structural safety and in a lot of cases tested for dialectic insulation means you will be busy.
food for thought.
[quote=”JS” post=144568]I would steer towards the diesel side of things. But there are a few routes you could go.
Consider that there are more and more diesel offerings from car manufactures than ever, and I suspect it will grow even more
My last opinion might be the best one. Heavy duty equipment mechanics are in short supply. Shops that not only work on regular commercial truck chassis related things but also work on complex hydraulic systems you find in man lifts / boom systems are crying for good techs. Its a very specialized field and given the fact that a person’s life may rely on the fact that the lift works properly means that good techs are essential.
[/quote]I have to agree with the trend heading towards diesels. The computerized part is here now and already done on Big Rigs. There are more sensors on them then most autos. It is slowly making its way to heavy equip and then onto marine. All of which use diesel engines. I will agree doing diesel mechanics allows you to work in a vast number of fields far more then automotive ever will. Though as I mentioned in the other post I linked too it is extremely dangerous work. With the exception of Direct Injection Gas motors they do not deal with high pressure hydraulics. A pin hole leak in one can cause injection wounds and kill you. Everything is bigger, badder, stronger and thus can kill or maim you a lot easier.
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