Diesel Mechanic

[CTD 600]

Hi, Just wondering if anyone had any information on becoming a diesel mechanic. How long does it take and what type of schooling would I need? Thanks!

 

[Grey Wolf]

It took my boys about two years and they attended UTI in Arizona...



http://www.uticorp.com/default.aspx?tabid=254

 

[Greenleaf]

TWO years for me in Lima Ohio. You can literally attend as long as you'd like from 6 months to... ... ... ..... years



I had to work as a wash boy at a dealership till I gained some seniority. Work Saturdays etc. I had to move to a different job to get much of a pay raise. Now that I work for the state we are contracted and union so pay raises are substantial and contracted.



That I gots a 'puter and visit the TDR regular like to ... . ahem ... . gain wisdom to better myself on the job.



Best part is I live literally next door to the school and I get to tweak Cummins B's for a living Oo.

 

[CTD 600]

Thanks for the info. I am looking to go to school part time and eventually work my way into knowing what I am doing.

 

[dzldpatriot]

Got my training through Uncle Sam... US Coast Guard, 20 years I've worked on alot... Cummins, Detroit, lots of CAT's, EMD, Alco & gas turbines. They sent me to all kinds of schools over the course of a career, military & factory schools. Only difference now is these diesels are on dry land with 6 tires attached vice 2 props :-laf Not sure if you're thinking along these lines, but thats my . 02 worth. No regrets, enjoyed it

 

[DMcPherson]

^ vt-903 man huh? lol. one of our techs went I think 2 years at night while he worked with me at peterbilt, now we are both employed by cummins, ( I get a desk though)

 

[CHolman]

I was going to go to WYO tech, but it was too far away from new son and UTI in Arizona offers pretty good classes... I have 6 more months with Uncle Sam and I'll be heading that way... .

 

[Mhannink]

wyotech is a very good diesel program its all heavy duty right now and only available in laramie wyo. but ive heard rumors of a light duty diesel course at the sacromento campus which if true ill be taking. though the heavy duty diesel program in laramie has several 5. 9 series cummins. also so you know its only 9 months long

 

[MKoth]

wyotech is a very good diesel program its all heavy duty right now and only available in laramie wyo. but ive heard rumors of a light duty diesel course at the sacromento campus which if true ill be taking. though the heavy duty diesel program in laramie has several 5. 9 series cummins. also so you know its only 9 months long

The only reason to go to school at Wyotech is if you want to be a line mechanic for an OTR truck repair shop. If you want to do ag, construction, or light diesel, the school is worthless.



I learned more the first month on my first job, then I did in nine months at Wyotech.

 

[dzldpatriot]

DMcPherson... . little experience with ole 903 Cummins as well :-laf Worked on many of those How about Detroits? The CG loves the 2 cycle engines; 53, 71 & 92 series. I thought I was uptown when I first worked on the DDEC engines :-laf

 

[obert]

I spent 2 years a Lima, OH as well. Enjoyed my time there.



First thing to do is start tearing stuff apart just to put it back together. Ive been doing that since I was a boy, so wrenchin' seemed the best career choice. Theres alot to be said for experience, so imerse yourself in conversation with the old timers of the trade. Thats what I liked up at Lima, after learning the BS "book" procedure, most instructors (has been mechanics) would say throw that away, here's how your really going to do it.



Mechanics (good ones) dont exatly grow on trees these days, if youve got good work ethics and learn fast, and accept change-- always new stuff coming out-- youve got a got foot in the door. With or without college backing, most anywear you go you'll still have to go to factory training of some sort, more than likely.



A toolbox and its contents will be very expensive, but a new government program will allow you to pay for your work tools with tax free money.

 

[CumminsBu]

Got my training through Uncle Sam... US Coast Guard, 20 years I've worked on alot... Cummins, Detroit, lots of CAT's, EMD, Alco & gas turbines. They sent me to all kinds of schools over the course of a career, military & factory schools.

Same here 4 year and counting.

 

[FFutch]

Like others said a good tech school is a start. But OJT is the best way to learn, hopefully with someone who has a lot of patience with a "rookie". I started with 4 years in the Army as a "Heavy wheeled vehicle mechanic"(63 S) then got my foot in the door for a small shop in N. C. making 6. 50 an hour. Not a lot of pay but I tried to learn as much as possible until a new oppurtunity came along. Don't be afraid to get dirty and learn as much as you can. I've been turning wrenches for 20+ years and I still don't know it all. You gotta watch those guys that claim they do... doug

 

[Mhannink]

The only reason to go to school at Wyotech is if you want to be a line mechanic for an OTR truck repair shop. If you want to do ag, construction, or light diesel, the school is worthless.



I learned more the first month on my first job, then I did in nine months at Wyotech.

you are right for the most part on that but you can adapt some of the thinsg learned to the otehr feilds. but to your point of its only for otr trucks i belive thast why they are starting a light duty diesel course when im not sure but i have a pretty good source on that since he provided pictures for the handouts for that class and thats what they told them they needed the pics for who knows what all will be covered in that class whether its light duty trucks or if there is ag in there too i don't know.

 

[JasonCzerak]

The only reason to go to school at Wyotech is if you want to be a line mechanic for an OTR truck repair shop. If you want to do ag, construction, or light diesel, the school is worthless.



I learned more the first month on my first job, then I did in nine months at Wyotech.

it can be like that in IT as well school sucks!

 

[EMD Diesel Power]

2 years associate degree program for me. (MATC-Madison WI 1999) Have been wrenching for over 10 years now. Done heavy trucks, agriculture, locomotives, and OEM fire apparatus building. Have been a ASE master tech for 7 years now along with the L2 certification.



Training never quits... . its always something newer and more electronics to diagnose. Electronics dont scare me... I love that stuff.



I learned alot more in my time on the railroad than I ever did in school or the other years in the occupation. The quality of the training and the all-around experience is what makes or breaks the trade in a persons eyes.

 

[obert]

I've been turning wrenches for 20+ years and I still don't know it all. You gotta watch those guys that claim they do... doug

ALOT of techs make that claim. As fickle as this world is that statement just goes to show how much they DONT KNOW.



That goes with EMD's piont: training never quits. Even with the training schools, hands on OJT is better than any classroom, although most of our "classroom" at bobcat is in the shop (lab), something about doing that new procedure for real in the field really drives it in.

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

2 year associates program at local community college. I learned alot, but like others have said; its hard to beat OJT.



I've passed all the tests to be ASE Master Certified in Diesel, but just now getting my two year experience completed. Currently working at a small fleet, one day hope to open my own place.



Steven