Automotive Diesel Service Technician

Becoming an Automotive Diesel Service Technician means learning how to work on diesel powered vehicle engines. Found in many trucks and some cars, diesel engines use a compression based ignition system, giving them a great deal of versatility in fuels, from biodiesel or even peanut oil or coal dust. Although the common source of fuel is commercially available distillate of petroleum similar to the kind that you might find in gasoline powered engines, diesel provides the highest rate of thermal efficiency. Engines vary, based on cylinder count, scale, and what sort of fuel injection model they use. The biggest engines are typically found in trains and boats, where their weight does not pose a problem. As well as understanding the general construction of diesel engines, qualified mechanics also need to know how to handle the fuel used by diesel engines, including dealing with its particular challenges. Diesel engines can get great mileage, but in cold weather the fuel can jell up, or vehicles may be slow to start. About 50% of European cars come with diesel engines on board, and the popularity of these brands, as well as their role in the transportation and trucking industry mean lots of jobs for a person with proper diesel service technician training.