What should look for when seeking out a competent dealer mechanic…?

[fkovalski]

I bought my recent truck locally and would like to understand the qualifications of the mechanic that will be working on the vehicle. What questions should I ask of the service writer and more importantly… what answers do I want to hear that will tell me that the service personnel performing the duties are able to perform competent work? Are there standards of competency for diesels (e. g. ASE …etc…) or any other type of certification. I live in a location where there is only 1 Dodge dealer and would have to drive 75- 100 miles to Denver for more. Ideas and opinions…?



Thanks,

-frank.

 

[Trent]

I'd ask the mechanic what injection pump your truck has, how many spark plugs there are, and if Ford owns Cummins.

 

[Cattletrkr]

I'd ask the mechanic what injection pump your truck has, how many spark plugs there are, and if Ford owns Cummins.

OO, OO... I got this one. It's got a VP3, no spark plugs, but there are six GLOW plugs and no, Ford owns China, not Cummins.

 

[jwilliams3]

Find a repair shop be it dealer or general auto repair where some of the tech/mechanics drive and HOT rod Cummins Diesels.

 

[fkovalski]

... and HOT rod Cummins Diesels.

Well, I do believe that one of the mechanics has a nice looking Ford (lift, wheels, paint... etc) So, he definitely works on HIS :-laf.



In the past, I did drive to Denver for service but that was complimented with free oil changes. I do my own fluid maintenance now. I guess I could trust the locals initially to see how well they do, then judge for future work. But, some basic indicators of competency is what I would like to find out before.



BTW- the humor in the replies is acknowledged

 

[John Robinson]

Just make sure the tech has a pulse & doesnt smell bad. If he passes that one, he`ll be ahead of most dodge tech`s :-laf -----Just kidding guys :-laf

 

[p-Bar]

The ASE thing is great but they need only 1 mechanic on staff yo be ASE certified

 

[ndurbin]

General appearance of the shop can be a good indicator. I'd ask to talk to the mechanic not the service writer. The service writer is going to do nothin more than maybe pull the truck into the shop get VIN, mileage, etc. and turn it over to the mechanic. Most only have one that knows anything about diesels (unless it's a diesel injection shop, etc. ). Ask how many years the mechanics have experience w/ diesels and what types (12v, 24v, HPCRs). How many repeat jobs they have done, not all might be honest about this.



Nathan

 

[Bob4x4]

The ASE thing is great but they need only 1 mechanic on staff yo be ASE certified

ASE is a joke! All it means is you can read and pass a test :-laf :-laf



Here is the winner

Find a repair shop be it dealer or general auto repair where some of the tech/mechanics drive and HOT rod Cummins Diesels.



Bob

 

[sag2]

Ask the technician (or writer or manager) what skill level he has achieved in skill area 10. If he gives you the deer in the headlights look, find another dealer/technician.

To be Chrysler certified to level four (highest) in skill area 10 (diesel) he should have completed the following classes.

Level 4

Cummins diesel common rail engine overhaul

or

KJ VM diesel engine repair



Level 3

Cummins high pressure common rail fuel injection operation and diagnostics

or

KJ VM diesel fuel system operation



Noise vibration and harshness



Level 2

Introduction to common rail fuel injection systems

Speed density fuel injection systems

Electrical diagnosis 2



If he has completed all the above it represents 10 days of training, four days live with an instructor, and the remaining self study.

I would not let anyone work on my rig that was not level 4.

 

[fkovalski]

Ask the technician (or writer or manager) what skill level he has achieved in skill area 10. If he gives you the deer in the headlights look, find another dealer/technician.

To be Chrysler certified to level four (highest) in skill area 10 (diesel) he should have completed the following classes.

Level 4

Cummins diesel common rail engine overhaul

or

KJ VM diesel engine repair



Level 3

Cummins high pressure common rail fuel injection operation and diagnostics

or

KJ VM diesel fuel system operation



Noise vibration and harshness



Level 2

Introduction to common rail fuel injection systems

Speed density fuel injection systems

Electrical diagnosis 2



If he has completed all the above it represents 10 days of training, four days live with an instructor, and the remaining self study.

I would not let anyone work on my rig that was not level 4.

Now yer talkin' what I want to hear! Thank you!

-frank.

 

[Bob4x4]

Ask the technician (or writer or manager) what skill level he has achieved in skill area 10. If he gives you the deer in the headlights look, find another dealer/technician.

To be Chrysler certified to level four (highest) in skill area 10 (diesel) he should have completed the following classes.

Level 4

Cummins diesel common rail engine overhaul

or

KJ VM diesel engine repair



Level 3

Cummins high pressure common rail fuel injection operation and diagnostics

or

KJ VM diesel fuel system operation



Noise vibration and harshness



Level 2

Introduction to common rail fuel injection systems

Speed density fuel injection systems

Electrical diagnosis 2



If he has completed all the above it represents 10 days of training, four days live with an instructor, and the remaining self study.

I would not let anyone work on my rig that was not level 4.

I don't want to burst your bubble,but get serious. I have been to school with some airheads. What is a passsing grade to get that certifcate?Don't answer that here it is embarrasing!



Bob

 

[nickleinonen]

I don't want to burst your bubble,but get serious. I have been to school with some airheads. What is a passsing grade to get that certifcate?Don't answer that here it is embarrasing!



Bob

hopefully 70% or better...



when i went and wrote my HD licence, i needed the 70% to get my licence. i had over 80% on the exam. not bad for someone who has next to no hydraulic experience and no experience on track vehicles and wheel loaders and other normal heavy equipment pieces [gotta love working for the railroad ]



[and all my in school numbers between 89% and 100%. all would have been over 93% but my arc welding isn't the greatest [especially vertical] so that dragged my mark down ]

 

[Tomeygun]

Find a repair shop be it dealer or general auto repair where some of the tech/mechanics drive and HOT rod Cummins Diesels.

I second that, the tech that worked my truck drove a 01 with 275's,etc

 

[Bob4x4]

hopefully 70% or better...



Nope... ... .....



Bob

 

[klenger]

I have never attended any kind of technical training where anyone who stayed awake to the end didn't get a certificate. Most don't even have any test to take.

 

[p-Bar]

I have never attended any kind of technical training where anyone who stayed awake to the end didn't get a certificate. Most don't even have any test to take.

Pretty sad all they want is the money... .

 

[Bob4x4]

I have never attended any kind of technical training where anyone who stayed awake to the end didn't get a certificate. Most don't even have any test to take.

There is a test at the end... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... but do the results matter?I am admitting nothing :-laf :-laf :-laf

It all goes back to the corporate level trying to keep the dealers from complaining and to try to impress the consumers.

Your best bet is to find somebody who loves his diesel and has PLAYED with it,so he understands beyond the MM book learning :-laf :-laf



Bob

 

[Dodge-Tech]

The BEST advice yet is to look for the Tech with his own diesel and don't be afraid to tip him for a quality warranty repair! (only because DC cuts warranty pay times so low, that to do a quality repair, the tech will be losing money. )

 

[Fireman]

How can you tell when a Service Writer is lying ???



His lips are moving !



I haven't found one in the last 5 yrs that knew anything, or had any scruples.



Fireman