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Howdy all, been lurkin for a bit, especially the videos and just wanted to join the discussion…For the knowledge! I drive an ’08 Silverado I’ve had a few f-body projects I’ve had to scrap due to northern treatment… My intro begins at age 25 with firstborn on the way and with me being an aircraft mechanic (car mech hobbyists) I really want to get into auto mechanics but I realize diesel mechanics is more often the better choice. So I’m in limbo for about a year till i get out (military). I know this is an etcg channel forum, and I’ve learned a lot, but does anyone know any diesel channels/resourcesrelated to etcg? Looking to be active and learn some more on my way to the workforce.
Oh yeah ETCG inspired my POTUS
Phil On The Under Side
…… Is that too cheesy?
Edit: don’t hate on Keaton batman!
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Not to many diesel channels out there. I have yet to find one that is worth its salt. Most people in the diesel field are not fully educated on what they work on. I mean that in the nicest of ways but, it is the truth. A large majority of them tend to not be extremely well versed in what they are doing. Out of approx 28 techs at my dealership location currently about 4 of them really know the ins and outs. I am not including myself because I am still behind the curve on a few subjects for real life experience.
Diesel mechanics is not easy work. It is very hard and very labor intensive. Almost everything small on Big Rigs is put on with a 3/8″ impact when you can make one fit. Brake drums for instance start at 45 lbs average is 65-85lbs max out at like 150lbs. Steel Rim and steel belted radial tire is about 400lbs. You normally take them off with a 4′ pry bar. Lugnuts torque at 425ft lbs on average. U-Bolts for suspension springs are a minimum of 275 ft lbs. Head bolts can get really high like 800 ft lbs or more. Starters weigh at least 65lbs. High Pressure Fuel Pumps weigh in at about 85lbs. Trying to manipulate these things at arms reach into and out of holes with stuff all over the place to get hooked on yeah basically unless you are normally just stronger then everyone you are going to get your butt whooped for 6months to a year minimum. Diagnostics is more complicated then in cars. There are a lot more moving parts and systems to deal with. We have an entire aftertreatment system that cars do not have. Our engines are built like that of a performance racing engine. Tolerances are closer especially valve to cylinder head. Technologies like piston cooling jets that you would likely only see in performance gas motors are common place.
There is also the aspect of you will be working in someones livingroom/kitchen/bathroom inmost cases. Sometimes this means a truck is so clean inside you touch anything and you are going to have to clean it afterwards. Other times it means you have piss jugs everywhere, cigarette butts everywhere, dirty underwear on the floor, soda that you swear is super glue, etc. Use your imagination cause it can be a lot worse then that.
You are going to be working on business based vehicles if you choose big rigs. This means refuse haulers aka garbage trucks, septic trucks, sulfur mine trucks, animal hauling vehicles, etc. They are also going to want the truck done yesterday all the time. Some of them really care about the quality of work others just want the truck back because each day it is down they are loosing money. This can lead to rushed work, improper diagnoses, constant revolving door trucks, etc.
I also recommend you read this: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/15-Technicians-Only/55499-so-you-want-are-going-to-be-a-mechanic-technician
Welcome to the forum. I’m going to move the post to general discussion where more
people may chime in. 🙂[quote=”MDK22″ post=142845]…Most people in the diesel field are not fully educated on what they work on….[/quote]
I’m sure this is due to like you said experience, but would you recommend programs or learning material I can prepare for knowledge wise. As an aircraft mechanic I know exactly what you’re talking about when it comes to experience.[quote=”MDK22″ post=142845] Diesel mechanics is not easy work. It is very hard and very labor intensive….We have an entire aftertreatment system that cars do not have. Our engines are built like that of a performance racing engine. Tolerances are closer especially valve to cylinder head. Technologies like piston cooling jets that you would likely only see in performance gas motors are common place.[/quote]
Not trying to sound like an arrogant youngin but Labor intensive work is not nec. What I want but is preferred in my career choices. Not to beat a dead horse but with my current aircraft mx job I “feel” well versed in hard hitting mx. As far as the differences in diesels, that is one thing that attracts me even more, that select knowledge one needs to repair.[quote=”MDK22″ post=142845] There is also the aspect of you will be working in someones livingroom/kitchen/bathroom inmost cases. Sometimes this means a truck is so clean inside you touch anything and you are going to have to clean it afterwards. Other times it means you have piss jugs everywhere, cigarette butts everywhere, dirty underwear on the floor, soda that you swear is super glue, etc. Use your imagination cause it can be a lot worse then that.[/quote]
…never thought about this though…[quote=”MDK22″ post=142845] You are going to be working on business based vehicles if you choose big rigs. This means refuse haulers aka garbage trucks, septic trucks, sulfur mine trucks, animal hauling vehicles, etc. They are also going to want the truck done yesterday all the time. Some of them really care about the quality of work others just want the truck back because each day it is down they are loosing money. This can lead to rushed work, improper diagnoses, constant revolving door trucks, etc.[/quote]
This job pressure is the norm for me right now and while it can be quite stressful, I find it a driving factor in my work.[quote=”MDK22″ post=142845] http://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/15-Technicians-Only/55499-so-you-want-are-going-to-be-a-mechanic-technician%5B/quote%5D
Very detailed! Thanks!Thanks for the helpful reply! I never get too many detailed responses from someone actually telling like it is. This community starting from etcg are very humble and honest. Thanks
As for courses or schools I do not know of a good one for diesel. UTI is goodfor car and decent for diesel and some of it translates over to diesel but, I feel I was not taught nearly as much as I could/should have been on diesels.
As for materials to learn from:
For Big Rig Diesel Engines:
Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Engines, Fuel & Computerized Management Systems by Sean BennettIt goes in depth and is extremely good though you want the 4th edition as the 5th is missing illustrations and also cut a lot of good information out of it.
For ASE books I suggest Delmar:
http://www.delmarlearning.com/browse_catalog.aspx?cat1ID=AU&cat2ID=ASE They will cover the normal stuff you will see. Make sure you get the most up to date ones.I also recommend you watch a couple movies/shows on truck drivers. This is because it will make you a lot more humble towards them and also understand how they like to tell tall tales etc. Big Rig – IMDB Available streamable on Netflix (highly recommend), Ice Road Truckers – IMDB
How aftertreatment systems work. Though on Big Rigs we have a couple more sensors to prevent failures and reduce clogging. DPF Afertreatment, SCR Afertreatment. DPF system comes before the SCR system.
The way the diesel world works parts are exactly that parts.So you can mix match an incrediable amount of things due to the standards they have in place. So an Eaton or Allison transmission will fit on any motor whether it is Detroit, Cummins, Caterpillar, International, Mercedes, etc.It is not like the car world. The manufacturer of the truck can limit what brands it offers of things. Though in doing this they also tend to limit the number of customers.
This youtube channel actually seems to be decent for learning about air brakes: Fanshawe Motive Power I would look at these in particular before looking at the components themselves: Air Supply Circuit, Primary Air System, Secondary Air System, Trailer Service Brakes
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