Continued training for diesel engines is often a necessity for diesel mechanics. Technicians who earn certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence earn more money and have more opportunities for advancement than technicians without ASE certifications. In order to pass the ASE tests, diesel mechanics must be knowledgeable about evolving diesel technology.

For shop owners, having a staff of ASE certified diesel technicians boosts your shops credibility and draws in customers. Paying for your technicians to take their ASE tests will likely be an investment quickly returned. When obtaining training for diesel engines, consider the following:

1. Accredited diesel technology programs offers students both classroom and hands-on training.

2. Studying textbooks on diesel engine theories is an excellent way to learn new information and refresh previous training.

3. Referencing diesel repair manuals walk technicians through unfamiliar repairs, providing on-the-job training.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Attend an accredited school that offers training for diesel engines

Technical institutes with programs in diesel technology offer technicians the opportunity to learn within a classroom and practice their skills with hands-on training. This type of program allows students to learn the theories behind diesel engine specifications and become more pragmatic when diagnosing diesel engines.

I recommend: Earn an occupational associates degree in automotive/diesel technology by graduating from Arizona Automotive Institute. The program offers hands-on training. Lincoln Technical Institute has campuses in several states and offers a diesel program. Find several programs for diesel engine training at New York Automotive & Diesel Institute. Students study areas of ASE certification to prepare them for passing the ASE tests upon graduation.

Read textbooks about diesel truck engine theories and maintenance

Textbooks offer diagrams, photos and written material on diesel technology. Reading textbooks is an ideal option for technicians who want to stay current with evolving technology or refresh their previous training. When ordering textbooks, always purchase the latest edition. Previous editions are often at discounted prices but might lack important updated information.

I recommend: Textbooks.com sells "Diesel Technology: Fundamentals, Service, Repair," which covers the theory of diesel operation. CRC Press sells "Chemistry of Diesel Fuels," which examines the chemistry of fuel within diesel engine parts.

Take advantage of repair manuals for diesel engine manufacturers

When working with an unfamiliar diesel engine, the manufacturer's repair manual is often your best resource. These manuals can guide you through the repair and are always on-hand for consultation. Many repair shops keep a library of diesel manufacturers' repair manuals for their technicians' convenience.

I recommend: Find repair manuals for diesel engines, including large and small diesel engine repair, at The Motor Bookstore. Order marine diesel engine repair manuals at Marine Diesel Direct. For repairing General Motors and Ford diesel engines, purchase the "Haynes Diesel Engine Repair Manual" from Powell's Books.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When reading through a diesel engine repair manual, use sticky notes to mark pages you think you will reference often. This will save you valuable time during repairs.

If you business uses diesel powered vehicles, you'll eventually need to replace those engines. Whether it's a diesel truck engine, a marine diesel engine or a small diesel engine, changing the engine can save money and time over replacing the full vehicle.

Diesel engines should be handled by experts. You're investing a lot into a complex machine. Make sure your supplier provides reliable engines, and find a mechanic who knows diesel engine specifications. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. What type of vehicles need a diesel engine?

2. Will new or used diesel engines suit your needs?

3. Can you find people who can service these engines?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Shop direct from diesel engine manufacturers

Shopping direct from the manufacturer is the best way to get reliable engines. The equipment is brand new, inspected and ready for installation the moment it arrives.

I recommend: The Detroit Diesel Corporation is one of the leaders in diesel engines, from their signature Series 60 to the DD15. Perkins makes engines for several types of vehicles, including agricultural and marine engines. Caterpillar produces on-highway, marine, industrial, oil/gas and power generation engines. Navistar is a leader among diesel manufacturers for U.S. military vehicles.

Look for diesel engine suppliers who sell many brands

There are independent suppliers who offer engines from multiple manufacturers. You might find a good deal from these suppliers rather than dealing direct from the manufacturer.

I recommend: Gearhead Engines Inc. offers G.M., Ford, Cummins and other brands of diesel engines, along with engine parts. Diesel Engine Trader.com has a huge list of engines, and uses an easy search tool to find the brand and style you're looking for.

Find a used diesel engine for sale

Used diesel engines can cost your company a lot less money. When it comes to used engines, you need a reliable supplier that makes sure the older equipment is in good operating condition.

I recommend: Many people sell diesel engines through DieselEngineMotor.com. The website will also contact dealers to find engines made by companies such as Kubota, Yanmar, Caterpillar and Cummins. ARSCO Automotive Rebuilders Supply has several used engines in stock from Cummins, Detroit Diesel, Isuzu, Volvo and others.

Locate parts and specialists for diesel engine repair

Having a diesel engine is one thing, installing and maintaining it is another. You're best choice is locating a mechanic in your area with diesel engine experience. If your business employs someone who works on diesel engines, get them the right equipment to do so.

I recommend: BMTC Corporation sells heavy duty engine parts for more than 20 engine types for cars, trucks and other vehicles. If you want an engine installed by an outside professional, American Engine Installations has multiple locations in 19 states with certified experts on engine installation.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get a replacement diesel engine made by the vehicle's manufacturer whenever possible. One manufacturer's engine may not work perfectly with another manufacturer's vehicle.

Any business that uses large trucks, buses or marine vessels relies on diesel engines. They need access to diesel manufacturers, mechanics and technicians to supply and provide for these engines. As long as professional vehicles run on diesel, there is a need for diesel engine experts.

Anyone looking to work with diesel engines must have good diesel engines education and training. This includes not only learning how to build and service current engines but also how to adapt to changes in how these engines are used. Areas that a potential diesel expert can learn in include:

1. Building and servicing a 6.5 and 7.3 diesel engine;

2. Converting cars and small autos to run on diesel engine; and specifications

3. Servicing marine engines and other small diesel motors.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn to build and install diesel engines and diesel engine repair

Any business using diesel engines needs employees who can at least repair and maintain and possibly build such engines. Numerous schools can educate and train people in the skills of servicing diesel engines.

I recommend: Lincoln Educational Services trains people on diesel engines, fuel systems, electrical systems and other parts of engines for 18-wheelers, buses, trains and other large vehicles. The Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) offers programs for diesel and heavy vehicle technology. The Automotive Training Center offers a diploma program that includes training in engine repair, electrical systems and air conditioning and heating with diesel courses as electives. Check out The CollegeBound Network's mechanic school guide for more diesel engine schools.

Train to convert smaller cars to meet diesel engine specs

Converting a car to use a diesel engine can mean a car can last longer and possibly get more miles to the gallon. It can also lead to your cars running on biodiesel fuel, eliminating a need for petroleum altogether. Those using or selling such vehicles have to design these engines so they meet government clean engine specifications.

I recommend: TDDS Technical Institute instructs students on the specifics of several diesel engine parts, including drivelines, transmissions, drive axles and charging systems, so you can build engines made for small cars. Universal Technical Institute (UTI) offers classes that specialize in diesel training for manufacturers like Mercedes and Volkswagen that are actively building cars with diesel engines.

Obtain education and training on building and maintaining a small diesel engine

Any business that sells or operates small marine vessels must know about the smaller diesel engines that run them. A marine diesel engine and other small engines are far more compact and require a far different education on how to build and repair them.

I recommend: The New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) offers basic and advanced training and a technician certification program for small diesel engines. Merit Education has a home study training course on small engine repair. Search through Mechanic Schools to locate a school close to you or review the schools recommended that train future marine engine mechanics.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for new education and training courses on diesel engines every five years to find out how diesel engine specifications and uses have changed.

Most people hear “diesel” and picture the stereotypically noisy, belching heavy-duty diesels you get stuck behind in slow traffic. Today’s technology has relegated those machines to dinosaur status: the sluggish, noisy smoke factories replaced by quieter, smoother running vehicles with increased power and fuel economy, far lower emissions, and drivability comparable to gasoline-powered engines. If you're looking to upgrade your current fleet of diesel trucks, or are considering a diesel vehicle, familiarize yourself with some key terms that demonstrate how manufacturers have applied the latest technology to make diesels a far more desirable powertrain alternative than ever before.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Biodiesel

While switching from petroleum-based fuel to fuel created from renewable resources such as vegetable oil may be good for the environment, consider the trade-offs before fueling your engine worth biodiesel, whether pure biodiesel (B100) or a petro/bio blend (commonly rated between B5 and B20). The chemistry of biodiesel fuels differs from its petroleum counterpart, affecting the engine's emissions controls; furthermore, that chemistry includes a natural solvent, which can dislodge old petrol-based deposits anywhere from the fuel tanks to the combustion chamber, and even have a corrosive effect on fuel lines.

I recommend: BDPedia.com outlines several shortcomings of biodiesel, including those listed above, plus potentially greater expense due to higher cost than regular petrol diesel and slightly lower fuel mileage.

Low sulphur

Crude oil in its natural state contains sulphur, which contributes to the soot you see in diesel exhaust. Since low-sulphur diesel (LSD), defined as 500 parts per million max, and ultra-low-sulphur diesel (ULSD), defined as 15 parts per million max, generate far fewer particulates, they help diesel engines meet more stringent emissions standards. By 2011, all diesel fuel will be ULSD.

I recommend: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) site helps diesel owners and fleet managers understand the transition to ULSD, plus links to retrofit programs for older diesel engines and emissions standards.

Common rail injection

Common rail injection uses extremely high-pressure pumps that force fuel into a tube (the rail), that in turn feed individual injectors controlled by an electronic black box that monitors the combustion process, emitting several short, controlled bursts of super-fine mist, providing uncommonly high levels of fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and lower sound levels.

I recommend: Swedespeed outlines a history of common rail injection.

Charge cooling

Charge cooling, or intercooling, lowers the temperature of intake air after it's been compressed by the turbocharger. Cooler air drives more of the air-fuel mix into the chamber for more power, at lower overall operating temperatures.

I recommend: Allard Turbo Sport gives a detailed account of the benefits charge cooling offers to diesel engines, including more power and economy, lower stress from heat, and lower exhaust emissions.

BlueTec

BlueTec or BLUETEC refers to manufacturer efforts led by Daimler AG to reduce nitrogen oxide. Individual manufacturers pursue variants to the general technology, such as combine catalytic converters with particulate filters.

I recommend: Detroit Diesel explains why it chose Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology, which converts nitrogen oxide into nitrogen and water vapor, as its primary BlueTec emissions solution.

ACERT

Caterpillar has invented Advanced Combustions Emissions Reduction Technology (ACERT). Caterpillar proactively controls the entire combustion process, using advanced valve train design, more precise fuel metering, turbochargers with waste gates to bleed off excess pressure, and advanced electronics managing the process.

I recommend: Caterpillar talks about its lead in ACERT technology for its diesel applications.