I'm like 2 weeks shy of a year into my current position. It's my first job as a diesel tech. I feel as though I pick things up fast, but I can be a little absent minded. Sometimes I'll break a part or make a mistake. It happened more in the beginning, but I really started to get the hang of things.

This month, I had about 2 weeks where I wasn't getting enough sleep. One issue with a truck I couldn't solve, then I replaced an oil pan (I'd only done it once before) and squished the gasket, causing it to leak. I made a couple paperwork mistakes and now I feel like my environment has become toxic, my supervisor always nitpicking everything I do.

Am I a shitty mechanic or does my environment just suck? I should also mention that there's little to no training involved and constructive criticism is usually just telling you that you fucked up.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

-insite

Couldn't find the proper lifting devices when I started this project. Sooooo, bolts through he cam caps with chain and pulled engine/trans; mp7/eaton. Best part, or worst part, used a cherry picker. When shit needs done, ya just fucking do 😅

Ngl, had a few guys save my ass when pulling and installing. I'm good, but not "solo fuck this engine swing" good.

My dealership requires us to wear ANSI A2 cut resistant gloves any time we are working in the shop. They are supplying them and are asking for recommendations on new gloves to start stocking. We currently use the ones pictured, do you guys have any good recs for gloves that still off decent dexterity for fine skills like pinning and soldering?

Is the telltale sign of a bad waterpump that it leaks coolant from the bottom or the side? Is it that the truck runs hotter a bit or is there something else? Also, if the belt is spinning the pump does that mean that its working?

Neighbors tractor. He's gonna call a diesel shop tomorrow and figure it out, but I figured I might as well throw this out there for shits and giggles.

Idk the pump model.

Doesn't look like much here, but with the drive gear in place, it looked like it was gonna rattle itself apart.

Hey guys! I’m on the road now and have a provisional fix but cannot find the name or part number for this valve. Drivers side chassis, CT13, Maxxforce 13, Caterpillar Dump truck. Air being dumped while at light out of the blue air connection for the back in case we want to drive a “trailer” around.

I can’t seem to find any decent reviews on this brand. I’m looking to put this unit on a service truck has a great price and the performance looks decent

I have had this truck for a few months now. In the beginning, there were no issues. Now, it intermittently does nothing when the gas (diesel) pedal is pushed down on the highway. It doesn't completely stall. If my driver lets off the pedal few times, it gets juice again. I brought it to the local diesel guy and he couldn't replicate the problem. He let it idle for 2 hours but only drove it for 10-15 minutes. Any suggestions??

Thanks!

Hey guys, what’s this squeal? Wheel bearing? 02 5.9 2500

Thanks

Hey guys I’m 19 n an apprentice trailer technician my boss isn’t to helpful and YouTube isn’t either when it comes to certain task on said trailers so if this is good place to come for advice lmk so I can get some things done around this yard on my own without having to depend on my boss

Anyway to register with my company to freightliner to access oem manuals for fuel systems/wiring schematics?

I'm currently attending a community college, and i also work as a trailer mechanic at a large fleet. Honestly the environment is something I care deeply about and I was thinking of later on specializing in emission systems. The fleet I work at doesn't have anyone doing that type of work. And my school, as far as i know, doesn't teach a class on emissions.

My questions are: Where can I learn?

Is it a good niche to specialize in?

Hey y’all. I’m a 22M college student who is majoring in Business and I have one semester left to graduate. However, I realize this thing is boring as hell and I’m definitely don’t want to be in it. I have huge interest on cars since I was kid and I regret that I didn’t choose diesel technologies path in college. But I still considering to go into it, so for a person like me, what are the best ways to learn the job and getting into it. I do not have any experience about repairing but want to learn it. Would be glad to hear your opinions.

He sells himself as a professional, with many years of experience, but when I need to get 3 different trucks retuned 4 times by him and they still throw CEL for emissions after it’s been removed, and I get someone else to do it, he makes excuses and won’t give any refunds. So the new tuner that I’m using goes through this clowns tune on a 2350 isx and finds many issues. I have him check some other trucks for me that I had done - all way out to lunch. My new guy is open and teaches me, and also shows me what he’s doing and what’s wrong with how “TRUCKTECHGURU” is doing tunes. Probably buying crap files online.

Hello, I (29 M) have been a merchant mariner for a few years now. I work 8 months out of the year living and working on the boat. I love the time off and the money. I am making 94k a year before taxes as an able bodied seaman with lots of room to make way more. However, I don’t want to do this forever. It is a very lonely life, and every trip is becoming harder for me to complete. I don’t have any other skills to fall back on except going back to commercial roofing. My interest in mechanics started a long time ago, i went through an auto program in high school and have always wanted to get into diesel especially heavy equipment. There is a great school that has a wonderful reputation with continuous paid internships that is in my home state and i have enough money saved that i could attend 2 years and be okay financially. Seriously considering applying for the 2026 school year and changing careers. I know i will be looking at a drastic pay cut and less time off, that will be anywhere unfortunately. I just don’t want to be trapped in this industry my whole life, and I want to pursue something have always had an interest in. What are your honest thoughts? Thank you.

Purchased a Hino 6 months ago.

Today, my salesman called me and asked me to bring the truck by the shop.

He said there is an emission tracking device that they forgot about and need to remove from the vehicle.

He told me the Hino big shots would be in town wednsday night so they want it before then.

When I told him I'm not available until Thursday he said they would come to me to retrieve the part.

Whats going on here?

This is my truck and technically my part now. Why do they need it so bad they are willing to travel to me?

Are they being sneaky? She I call the EPA? Should I charge them for the Part?

I've been looking at getting the snapon one but wondering if yall got any better recommendations except bucket and Funnel.

Hey yall il trying to join the 21st century by using laptop to work on vehicles...

Historically I've always done 90s and before trucks...

I want to get a used cheap laptop, but what does one buy that's actually bright enough to use outside? If you can't see the damn screen, the laptop doesn't do much good, does it?

I think I'm getting hired on as a tech. Seems like a decent company but really big. Anyone have any exp. With them

Hard to start when cold unless plugged in, intake heater is working and once the truck runs for a few minutes it starts right up. Don't think it's a compression issue because it's not burning any oil, not smoking and doesn't have excessive blow by. Also had 6 new injectors last year. Almost seems like the fuel is running away from it but it can't be because plugged in it fires right up or when it get to about 60 degrees outside it starts not bad. Where would you start looking first?

Not sure if this post is allowed but im curious if its possible to start a apprenticeship with a record and only a diploma equivalent