How to Become a Diesel Mechanic in 2023 | Diesel Technician Training

[@luv2bike02]

Started a few months ago as an APU technician for a local ThermoKing dealership and am getting cross-trained on reefer units. Very specific yet important part of the trucking industry. They trained me on the job with no schooling required. I did a part-time apprenticeship last year for a local mobile fleet service. I'm very thankful to be where I am right now, at 20 years old.

[@jesuslemus1668]

Diesel mechanic and no money spend on school just took little bit of experience and the rest I learned over the years rn 24

[@RyldUp-uo3pc]

I am so thankful canada had a really good apprentice program. For all 4 years it only costs $5000cad. And you work 10 month out of the year so you make money to become a tech

[@jaybartgis5148]

As a trucker, have a drink on me.

[@DieselFitter]

I think all said and done at my local community college was roughly 8,000 to 10,000. I worked the evening shift at the local Freightliner dealer to pay for school. One advantage to going to school was I get all my tools from the tool truck brands for 50% off until I graduated.

[@chrisbonilla6435]

How much roughly you spent on tools?

[@kiliabgonzalez7826]

I got hired as a fueler / washer at penske and after 6-12 months you can move into the shop and it’s all hands on learning. No certifications required to be an entry level mechanic. And you’ll start off around $20-25 depending on where you live. If you’re looking for the cheapest way to become a diesel mechanic, that’s probably the best way. I’m sure other companies like Ryder have a similar deal, but I’m not sure.

[@donutt2383]

What shifts do they offer and where can I apply

[@kiliabgonzalez7826]

@@donutt2383 a fueler washer at penskes job title is called a “CSR” so when looking online to apply, just Google “CSR penske jobs”. Every shop is different, but you will typically be hired on 2nd shift first, something like 3:00 pm - 11:30 pm. And you get a 2nd shift pay differential. Which is anything from $1 to $3 more than someone who works on first shift.

[@m33ch30]

Man imma be honest, fuck Ryder and their tech in training program

[@m33ch30]

I’m glad it worked out for u at Penske tho

[@ulisesswag96]

Just got hired as that starting at 23 +3 for the swing shift

[@jamesboone3678]

There is such a huge shortage in LA county that the posting I've been seeing to work for my city has been there for 3 years. I live right down the street from it. It pays really bad for the amount of work they do. But Cat Quinn in Sylmar pays almost $100,000 a year, plus they pay for your training. I was thinking about switching careers to a diesel tech years ago, but I went into HVAC. I really do admire diesel techs. They are definitely heros with no cape.

[@carlosavila1155]

I graduated from UTI, back in 2008. Tuition for the Auto program was about $24,000 then. I was thinking about going back to school for Diesel training. Glad I saw your video.

[@yofreak410leek5]

I graduated in 2017 and I took both Auto and diesel it was more of an deal at the time

[@agm2841]

Do they give you tools or?

[@carlosavila1155]

Your tuition covered the “free tools” you received for graduating.

[@michaelvillanueva240]

im currently attending houston community college for diesel mechanic i live 40 miles away from the school due to lone star not offering it even though i spend a lot of gas i save a lot more money than going to uti even though its the closest and i get more lab time than uti

[@Stoicsamurai-to1ky]

Not all hero’s wear capes man I’m 26 and now getting in the auto industry don’t know why I just tough about getting into it your videos definitely been guiding me

[@pepinillorick1214]

You got this bro. Im 27 I started at 24 with 0 xp, i enrolled at a local community college on 2020 and finished 2022. . I been working at a ford dealership, working on superduty trucks, been there since 2020 so about 4 years in September. I started making shit money like $12 an hr... Now im $36 an hr.. the more training you keep getting they will pay you for it, we have guys making $48.. for Texas that's not a bad pay. You just have to stay on it, be attentive, try to make smart decisions when it comes to tools, don't get all snap on, do some research. 😅

[@COBRO98]

@@pepinillorick1214 You forgot to mention you're being paid flat rate.. so in reality your "$36" is more like $20 or even less some weeks... plus as an auto mechanic you're spending 10-15% of your paycheck on tools every year as needed for the entire career.. you get next to no benefits or vacation, zero pension It's not worth it at all. Any other trade pays double what automotive does and you're not required to spend endless thousands on tools.. hell most other trades give you your own work vehicle if you're mobile..

[@johnadkins5124]

Our local community college does their diesel program 2 weeks classroom and 2 weeks paid internship with a sponsor. That way you're getting the book knowledge and the real world knowledge from the industry you wish to go into

[@jemex1000]

Where at?

[@AK-vu7vk]

I’m a diesel mechanic myself. I went to a local tech school, but my shop has apprenticeships. It’s probably what I would have preferred.

[@bradfaught1695]

Id personally never go back to working on deisels. I couldnt take the headache that comes from smelling diesel all day. Most days it was changing tires by hand and hanging brakes.

[@elmoz71ls15]

Loves travel stops apprentice program. Start as a tire tech work way into apprenticeship… 6 months later or (5 weeks if you go to the truck care academy) your making 25 a hour with a starter set of tools and you were paid to learn the whole time. Not a bad way to go, how I did and how I’ve stayed now as a Level 6 master tech.

[@aydenhenley7147]

About how long does it take to go from tire tech to apprentice?

[@codis5006]

In our experience the apprenticeship program was a trap. Take a green tire tech, he goes to class for a few weeks, comes back and is expected to perform as a full blown mechanic. They also dodged the tool program. Could've been due to an inexperienced TCM. I've been able to find better educational support than the Love's program. If you've never been around trucks Love's offer valuable experience but not true educational opportunities in my experience. Your mileage may vary.

[@elmoz71ls15]

I should update this comment, at the time I made It had not sent any apprentices to the academy. You are correct. The academy does not seem to help except somehow seem to make them less confident in themselves. Our current academy graduate basically had to spend another six weeks after learning with us to be passable. @@codis5006

[@MoreThanRocks]

@@codis5006Would be nice to go to Loves then switch over to TA.

[@suttonshiver1317]

my employer has two programs for individuals with little to no expierence in heavy equipment you and you recieve tools. college is not always required nor expierence.

[@rileyc6342]

I think Diesel is the way to go. Many diesel shops are 24/7. It made it possible for me to work full time through school. I think early amd mid career pay are better than automotive. And trucks are made to go together and come apart so in many ways its easier i think. Just heavy and dirty. I now work corporate at an auto manufacturer, but I was gonna go back to turning wrenches, I would go diesel. Its more flexible. You can work nights, evenings, days, weekends, field service and road calls, honestly whayever you want/need. And that was on BFE missiouri. I image a larger city is even more flexible.

[@Cody_1776]

You can get into the Diesel field with no experience, I did. In my state it doesn’t pay well to start, but you also don’t NEED to spend 10K in tools to start. You can easily start out with basic tools and build from there. Stay off the tool truck and save thousands of dollars. The money is pretty decent depending on where you live and what company you get into. New guys expect 18-22/hr to start. Three to five years experience can expect around 22-35/hr to start. Rough numbers, but thats been my experience so far. Heavy Equipment mechanics seem to be the best paid out of the Diesel tech groups. My goal is to work for fleets for another 2 years and be completely self employed my then. Working for the man sucks.

[@scientist100]

18-22/hr? may as well go flip burgers for that pay; try $25 start.

[@Cody_1776]

@@scientist100Not in my area of PA. Your lucky to find a Diesel Tech job that starts more than 22-23$ with little to no experience. Even now in the “tech shortage”.

[@scientist100]

@@Cody_1776 I had little experience (hobby) no tech title or any certs and I got a job with $20 start pay in Indiana. I was computer tech savvy so diag stuff was easy for me; that's what they needed there at that used car dealership so after around 8 months I was making $26; I left the field because I got an offer with higher pay doing office work. Know your worth; ask for good pay.

[@JoelFoster-pl7uo]

@@scientist100that rate isnt bad seeing that you’re starting without experience and gaining more along the way. It increases your potential to get into better paying positions quite easily after awhile from what Ive seen

[@MarioChavenet-im9dx]

Thanks you very much for this video I am very glad to hear you.

[@ZackFabbian-c7k]

I have some trade school in automotive. Honestly wasn't the best lacked repetition but I still did learn some new and helpful skills. I'm looking into a Entry level diesel tech job. I have a months working at a tire shop. So I just recently applied for the Big Student program offered by Caterpillar company. Hopefully that goes well. Thanks for your video.

[@bwell98]

Strange… In South Carolina it seems they’ll hire anybody without having any schooling. As long as you work hard and show up on time you’re fine. Almost 5 years in and I’m making close to 63k working at an International dealer. I’ve never been to a school.

[@StoneColdStrah]

Diesel side of things usually pays more but you going to be doing heavy stuff usually would recommend for someone that is young but as they get older would switch over to cars where work is lighter

[@jeffw.4604]

Lots of good information, If I were going to go back into that field (Fmr Diesel Tech), I would say cross train yourself into Diagnostics, Diesel will be around for a long time still, but there is a huge push to transition to Electric vehicles (where it makes sense right now, given battery capacity etc.). Learn the Diesel part but learn Diag too, so when the transition starts happening at a much faster pace your not left out in the cold so to speak. (comment geared for the younger crowd wanting to get into Diesel Mechanics)

[@JoelFoster-pl7uo]

Thank you so much for this comment. Was thinking about getting into the diesel industry

[@sk3tti]

Êlectric is not practical in anyway at this point in time

[@rahsanmcmillan5233]

When you say Diagnostics, is this a separate career field? Like do you take separate training or is fish included in diesel mechanic training?

[@jeffw.4604]

You can take diagnostics training a LOT of electrical/electronics diag crosses over between auto and diesel check scannerdanner youtube page that's a good place to get you started.@@rahsanmcmillan5233

[@EshlyTibuka-ot2oj]

Dissel technian is my carrier , thanks for your teaching ❤

[@name242]

I got a guy from a Nissan dealership start a couple months ago … making more here then what his supervisor position paid … had to give a crash course in after treatment and egr’s but he caught on real quick and nails the everyday stuff … now if I can keep him off his phone 1/2 the day 😂

[@bosborn1]

I am a diesel tech and I work on commission. I would not take an hourly position in the field. That doesn’t financially reward my hustle. If your making commission on after hours service calls you can make great money. Sometimes that means you’ll be out until 3am and still have to make it in by 8 the next morning. Being able to diag and repair diesel emissions systems is really in demand and I make a good living doing it. If your good and can find the right place you can make $120k plus a year.

[@t20594]

ICC DPET Peoria IL. Internship was supposed to be the pay to pay the class. Highly recommend. Nephew going this year. My dad had many interns including me.

[@Rockardo_]

Five years ago I almost went to UTI and it was 30k, now seeing it costs 50k is just fucking robbery. Im so glad I didnt go and was lucky enough to be picked up by a dealer

[@sixsk8er1]

Truck drive first if you are working on tractors and trailers(I wish I did this first and now I am stuck looking at my cdl class A and thinking I should use it to drive)

[@tracydiller9378]

Great video Mike as always.

[@dirtfloorgarage8489]

As a diesel mechanic in the army, I’ve gotten different advice from different people ranging from lower enlisted and NCOs, to career counselors and career transition specialists. Would the job offerings/jobs available to someone like me be more likely or would it compare to someone with no experience/gone to school? The trucks the military uses are all diesel, using the Cat engines or General Motors. Even their generators operate on diesel fuel

[@DoomerNavajo7]

Getting my ged and looking into a mechanic trade or maybe IT

[@JMPK23]

If I'm "highly knowledgeable" in the automotive field, but don't have any professional work experience (all person hobby/passion). Do I have a chance to get into the diesel mechanic field? Currently a maintenance tech the last 7 years. Didn't know if there's entry level jobs that pay decent.

[@stephenross9282]

Sweet a diesel mechanic video! Fellow diesel tech here

[@coexist1018]

You will earn every dime of the slight pay increase. Tires have to come off manually,they don't use metric u will need a 3/4 impact and standard tools.Its for rural àrea mechanics in my opinion

[@kellyrak2711]

Yes they use metric. This isn't the 1970s lol

[@coexist1018]

@@kellyrak2711 a metric set is a a good starter kit for those transitioning from Automotive to desiel, but the guys in the shop won't take u very serious....

[@TerryPrince-x9l]

In your video you recommend preppy. Seems to be a good place but what’s your thoughts on penn fosters diesel program. Little cheaper just doesn’t have the externship part.

[@xaviermontiel5841]

Equipment rental company’s will train in house and send guys to train with manufacturers.

[@sonofmontezuma3732]

Generators, boats, trains, trucks, ag, yellow iron, the market is vast very vast

[@honda_doc6826]

Thanks.

[@sirsparksalot]

When you’re good at what you do the money will be there in any industry.

[@egx161]

Not entirely true.

[@1heavyEquipment]

I'm good in automotive but shop owners don't want to pay good. After I finish my online heavy equipment training I will try next year in heavy equipment.

[@tylerhill6706]

Do you think a course at penn foster be worth it for diesel knowledge? I’m working for transit bus company but they don’t train here really so I only have knowledge from school for automotive

[@LyonhartZ2]

What do I do If I want to learn how to fix Diesel Pickup Trucks Like GM Duramax / Ford Powerstroke and Dodge Cummins? Like I want to be able to fire up old broken rigs and make them road worthy for like needy customers? (I already know basic maintenenace like oil changes/tires/rotors/fuel line brake lines/shocks ETC) I just want to get into the nitty Gritty stuff that regular mechanics cant fix (likw Fuel Pumps and Fuel Injectors and cleaning out Diesel Tanks and doing diagnostic stuff) I dont want a customer saying "Hey, fix my shocks" I want like "Hey, my duramax Turbo is broken and my diesel does not start" kind of problems

[@know0800]

How long will diesel be around in the US?

[@bcrawford9072]

I went to tech school. Then went to fire school. I didn't pay anything because I used my gi bill. So my problem was solved.

[@Bobbob1951-b7x]

A cat dealership has apprentice class and training they pay you to learn fix there equipment.

[@jasondee1704]

Has anyone used the website he mentioned for diesel mechanic? If so how was it? Basically what I’m asking if it’s legit.

[@josephbradleyguirand7500]

I’ll start class January 23rd 2024

[@Crunk5.0]

Did you start on preppy? If so how is it going and is it legit?

[@egx161]

Didn’t you once say that you hated working on diesel engines in a past post comment?

[@FORDTECH313]

Hope your doing ok

[@julianmaru]

anyone here has studied in preppy? im quite interested in what they offer, but I wanted to talk with anyone who has already studied there, to know more about it, what they think of it and how has it helped them. im in North Carolina and about to move to South Carolina.

[@Crunk5.0]

I'm curious did you go through with preppy? I'm on the fence as well

[@x4604]

Last week, I purchased a course from Penn Foster for 899 USD. It was an online course. I thought it would include some video lessons, but it only gave me a ebook to read and then some quizzes to complete. RIDICULOUS!! I spent $899 on a ebook!!! So now I’m looking for other courses. If anyone has taken this course, please let me know.

[@johnleinen7167]

Here's the reality in California for a diesel mechanic, ONLY a fleet mechanic will make any money, you need 3/4 drive tool sets and giant wrenches, you need H D truck scan tool =expensive ,giant 20 ton air Jack's, here most of the trucking is now Indian / Pakistani and they won't hire you to work on there trucks, they do it themselves or there friends at 15 18 an hour.Quinn Cat or a utilities company is only way.

[@t20594]

Diesel money sucks in the Midwest unless you want to work massive overtime and die. If they even let you work any overtime. Truck shops are tight wads. Off road may pay but only for road techs.

[@I_Died_2_Weeks_Ago]

I quit Ryder after 2 weeks. They purposely lock you out of the computer training because they want you to be a janitor for them for months. They string you along with the on-the-job "training." Sure, I got some jobs but I'm not 18 and don't need to be babied along. I mastered sweeping, floor stripping, and waxing in the Navy. 😂 Oh, and the pay... thanks to Union dues, it dropped me into the teens, and of course, the benefits sucked.

[@TyreeseSmithers]

Is 50 years old to old to start this type of career?

[@edbuckley1670]

As a diesel mechanic you need a lot of tools basically the same tools to be an auto mechanic and then on top of that three-quarter inch socket sets shops will provide a lot of these specialized tools. Pay is not that great if you want to make over 30 an hour you will have to have a class a CDL to work on trucks. Once you get a few years experience you can guarantee find a job in one day. You don't need to go to school if you're a mechanically inclined they will start you out in the p.m. Bay changing oil and greasing depending on your abilities and quality of your work you can move up from there

[@danieljones8173]

You have to have FOOD before you get GAS 😂😂

[@mikeclark9208]

Most truck shops will train. Penski

[@xgears_rb_x]

Flat rate does exist in diesel out of the 5 major dealers 3 have already gone to flat rate

[@donerickson7869]

First think about with diesel is you have a billion job waiting on a million dollar machine writing a check for s speedy repair is no problem i like heavy equipment much more thsn over the road trucks and as far as ed dont rule out military service their stuff is more higb tec now than ever before

[@sirtitan3028]

Your statement is false on needing training. At least in my area multiple shops are hiring people that have only turned wrenches at home. We currently employ 2 and have trained them in house

[@aleskyfinis1025]

Like videos

[@miscprojects9662]

Lube rack jockeys masquerading as technicians.

[@BA-pz3lo]

what if im ex military and i have the GI Bill? then would UTI be a good option for me?

[@I_Died_2_Weeks_Ago]

Go to Wyotech in Wyoming

[@ONeal397]

Find a place that's willing to train in house instead of paying out of pocket

[@josecepeda8117]

UTI offers CUMMINS training meaning once your done you will be fully certified. You can start as a level 3 or B around $28 to $32. The Gi bill will pay for that extra training