Well I'll throw in my 2 cents. I'm a diesel mechanic as well, for Ford, meaning I work on those lovely powerstrokes. But with automotive dealerships, we don't work on a straight hourly wage, we work on flat rate, basically meaning you get paid for the jobs that you do. Like me say I do an injector on a 6.0, pays 2.2 hours. Thing is, it only takes me an hour to do! but I still get paid for 2.2 hours of work. I make almost the same per hour as you do, except I get alot of hours in a week, typically 60-70. I am only at the dealership 8-6, M thru F. Only downside is if there are no cars in the shop, you don't make any money. But I don't have to worry bout that working on Powerstrokes, I am always stacked with work. So if you like what your already doing, just wanna make more money, you might look into working on small automotive diesels. You've got experience, so all you would need is your certifications.

 

yea guys, your all great, thanks for the advice, i decided that i doubt its for me, i mean i can sell things, but not for a job. i am interested in working on high performance diesel or passenger vehicle diesel instead of dump trucks and tractors etc...but i dont know how to get into something like that, iw ould love to work for dodge doing it! i have to look into it. i dont know much about them as for cars, but in all i guess its basically the same as big trucks, just smaller

 

02, basically what you need to do is just go and talk to a dealership that your interested in, and tell them that you have experience working on diesels. In the automotive world that is what counts. One thing is that you will have to get your certifications, as most manufacturers won't let you do warranty work until you do. but the dealership pays for those. But seriously, contact the service manager and set up an interview and show them what you got. If you want to work on cars, then volkswagen or mercedes is the place to go for diesel work, but they are kinda hard to get into cuz of their "superior german technology" crap you have to do alot of training with them. But I personally would look at any of the Big 3 to work on diesel pickups. You would be starting out working on the HD trucks, and then when they come out with their 1/2 ton diesels you'd have those too. So plenty of work.

I'll tell you how it is with Ford. Personally, Powerstrokes are a pain in the *** to work on, except the 7.3's. The 6.0 and 6.4 have so much crap on them that they are crammed into the engine bay, one of the reasons why we remove the cabs on the 6.4's. Also, Ford had the bright idea to put the Powerstrokes in the Econoline vans, and those are a real PITA. But the upside is as a result of all this, the labor times are much higher, and Ford has really good labor times for warranty compared to GM and Dodge. Personally, as cool as it would be to work for Dodge, I honestly don't think I'd see as much work given the reliability of the Cummins.

Really though, you should try to work with engines similar to what you've already worked on so the transition will be easier. If you worked on alot of Cummins engines before, then it would make sense to go to Dodge. If you've worked on Internationals and CATs, then Ford would be good. Or if you've worked on all kinds that would be beneficial too, cuz that would mean you should have experience working with HPCR engines(what all diesels are going to), HEUI engines(which are what the Powerstrokes are, minus the 6.4), PLN engines, or any of them.

But anyways, any other questions you have I'd be happy to answer.

 

With your skills why don't you go find a Yellow, Roadway, or UPSterminal nearby, surely they have something near Rochester NY, and get a good union diesel mechanic job makingTOP pay. Full health benefits and pension provided by the company at no cost to you and if they do the same as they do with drivers you will be topped out in wages at the 3 year mark. I know it's not sexy working on crappy road tractors but you will be way better off in the long term this way.

 

My only piece of advise, and this really applies tomost careers, don't burn the bridge when you leave this job.The job you leave today may be the job you need tomorrow. You may also need an employment reference from your current boss. It's a small world and you never know when you'll run into these people again. It'd be best to have them on your side so they can give you a good reference.

Best of luck to you in your decision.

Mike

 

My son is almost done with diesel school so I talk to repair people when I can. The guys at the DHL garages all seem to love their jobs and recommend he persues one. The school bus garages are the same. Lots of putting the same brake linings and filters on the same type vehicle, though.

 

yea thanks a bunch guys, i think im gonna talk to some dodge places, and see what i can do about working on the diesels, i have really only worked on Mack trucks, which sucks i wish i worked on others, i mean here and there i worked on cats, detroits etc...but my main product is MACK. so the fact that dodge has inline 6 diesels is awesome...im gonna try and get into that. thanks for all the advice, i need to find a direction to go. maybe ups or something of that nature too, im young its the time to do it now not when im 30+

 

i wanna throw my thought in here too...i just actually started my trade 2 days ago, i am first year apprentice for Heave Duty mechanics, up till now i been doing shop labour/skill labourer and i service CAT equiment in the shop. i get paid 23 dolars an hour and i work a rotation of 28 days working and 14 days off the job, and that is 12 hours a day.....40 hours a week are paid a 23 bucks(canadian) and 44 hours a week are paid at 23x1.5(overtime), AND i dont even have a trade yet, im making over 10 gs a month....if ur willing to work and ur a paper chasing dog...come work camp jobs at northern mines. i work at Baffin island, and i have worked all over the diamond mines in the NWT. its very good money for working 8 months of the year. and u also get options, u can get 2 and 2 rotations, so u work 6 months of the year making over 80 thousand a year, easy.

im 20 and i got my house and my CUMMINS. which im actually looking for rims and tires...im thinking 5 inch lift kit with 35s on 20 chromes.....do u guys have any ideas of which is a good place with lots of rim choices???? i dont know where to start looking for good rims.

 

damnit you ****, haha im jelous now i want $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ i got mine from 4wheelparts.com they usually have good deal that packages save you$

 

man its like i tell everyone.....if u want money. come north, its simple. not saying that u cant make that money down where u live...but here u just get half the year off and get paid for it lol. im lovin it.