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Career Details : Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

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Description

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul trucks, buses, and all types of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile diesel engines.

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Tasks

  • Inspects defective equipment and diagnoses malfunctions, using test instruments, such as motor analyzers, chassis charts, and pressure gauges.
  • Reads job orders and observes and listens to operating equipment to ensure conformance to specifications or to determine malfunctions.
  • Reconditions and replaces parts, pistons, bearings, gears, and valves.
  • Changes oil, checks batteries, repairs tires and tubes, and lubricates equipment and machinery.
  • Attaches test instruments to equipment and reads dials and gauges to diagnose malfunctions.
  • Disassembles and overhauls internal combustion engines, pumps, generators, transmissions, clutches, and rear ends.
  • Adjusts brakes, aligns wheels, tightens bolts and screws, and reassembles equipment.
  • Operates valve-grinding machine to grind and reset valves.
  • Examines and adjusts protective guards, loose bolts, and specified safety devices.
  • Inspects and verifies dimensions and clearances of parts to ensure conformance to factory specifications.
  • Inspects, repairs, and maintains automotive and mechanical equipment and machinery, such as pumps and compressors.

    Related Careers

    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
    • Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
    • Consequence of Error
    • Degree of Automation
    • Hazardous Equipment

    Related Majors

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    Automotive Service Technologyadd Automotive Service Technology to MyFSA
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