here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you notice, removing the battery cables is usually the first step in most repairs by the book, for a good reason. You don\u2019t need to get a burn or short something out. Just do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
13. Speed Kills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n When you try to beat the best time for removing a radiator, mistakes will be made. Fingers will be smashed. Fast is good if you really know what you\u2019re doing, but even then, it\u2019s best to just pace yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are new, don\u2019t try to be fast. Just work at a steady pace and don\u2019t stop to talk or tweet or whatever. Just stay at it. That, after all, is a good work ethic. Not how fast you work, but how steady and reliable you are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
14. Measure twice, cut once<\/h2>\n\n\n\n A classic. I wish I would take this advice more often. I had a friend who always cracked me up who would say, I kept cutting it, and it was still too short.<\/em><\/strong> This is important and really goes with taking your time. Think before you cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSometimes you don\u2019t have any more of that material, and it\u2019s important not to waste it. Maybe it\u2019s a flex pipe or electrical wire. Take your time and make sure you give yourself some extra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
15. Listen to the driver\u2019s story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Often overlooked is the confusing and sometimes hilarious driver story. So, they come to the shop to let you know what is wrong and maybe if you\u2019re lucky to fix it. ???? So you sit back and listen, trying not to roll your eyes, and they tell you how to do your job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The drivers at one place I worked always liked to tell the mechanics that they had it made. I would always reply. The only way my job would be easier is if I had a steering wheel to hold<\/strong>. With that said, there is some truth in those stories if you know what to listen for.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t just dismiss everything they say just because they\u2019re annoying. Listen for the info to help you fix it. If they say, it won\u2019t pull. That could be lots of things, but if you\u2019ve heard it before, you know to check the turbo clamps intercooler for leaks and so forth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This really just takes time and experience but don\u2019t just dismiss everything they tell you. You can find out a lot about the guy who spends hours in the cab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
16. Ask for help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n In diesel mechanics, everything is big, and the parts are heavy. Sometimes you need a hand. Whether it is removing a driveshaft or lining up a tranny, some jobs need two people. Don\u2019t be afraid to ask for a hand. It is not worth the back pain. Get a friend and team lift it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
17. If you borrow it twice, buy one<\/h2>\n\n\n\n A good rule of thumb for a new mechanic. Look, I am sure your friend doesn\u2019t mind loaning you his automatic wire strippers but, after a few times, you should realize you need one yourself and just come off the money and get you one. Again, when you do borrow something, take care of it. Clean it up when you are done and take it back ASAP after the repair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t hold on to it for weeks and make them come and ask you for it. Be contentious. Think of others. That\u2019s not how you would want people to treat your things. Tools are expensive, but if your borrowing all the time, just go ahead and pick one up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
18. Clean your tools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Overlooked an important tip here. When you clean your tools after every job, you do a couple of things<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nYou keep up with all your tools. When you clean them and put them up, you will notice the missing wrench you left in the frame rail.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Your tools last longer. When you take care of your tools, they take care of you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n The correct time gets charged to the job. Cleaning up is part of a repair. By cleaning up after each repair, you charge the correct amount of time to the job and avoid overcharging others.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n19. Who\u2019s name you want in the paper?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Your work is important. The person operating the vehicle or equipment is depending on you to do a safe repair. As a mechanic, you can put the operator in danger in sub-par repairs or incompetence. If you are going to do the job, do it well!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is a shortage of really great mechanics and if you are starting in this industry, make that your goal! Be great.<\/strong> You will have a sense of pride, and the people who use the equipment you work on can do so with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn this industry, your name is important, and each repair you do has your name on it. That means that when it has to be done again, everyone will know it was you. Take pride in your name, and do great work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
20. It\u2019s not the ECM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n As a new guy, diagnostic work can be tough. It is arguably the hardest thing to learn. It takes years to be able to understand and diagnose issues. So, as the new guy, when you can\u2019t figure out the problem, the temptation may be to go to the worst-case scenario. You might think, it\u2019s gotta be the ECM<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn 15 years, I think I have replaced 2 ECMs, so I am not saying they can\u2019t have issues. I\u2019m saying that the simplest problem is usually the right one. Maybe you missed something. See ask for advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
21. Life\u2019s too short not to love what you do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Have fun. Play practical jokes. Be nice. Make friends. Go out with your co-workers. I have great memories of funny things that we did in the shop and just crazy stuff that happened. You spend a ton of time with these people. Some of my closest friends are guys I have worked with. Don\u2019t spend days complaining, be thankful, and work hard.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I wanted to put together a list of help for that struggling mechanic out there Sometimes even after years of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":724,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
21 Tips Every Diesel Mechanic Wish They\u2019d Learned Sooner - learn diesels<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n