Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

Also called: Biodiesel Engine Specialist, Boat Diesel Motor Mechanic, Boat Engine Mechanic, Boat Engines Installer, Boat Mechanic

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

Varies

estimated salary

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.

  • Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.
  • Use handtools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, pressure gauges, or precision instruments, as well as power tools, such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, welding equipment, or jacks and hoists.
  • Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
  • Examine and adjust protective guards, loose bolts, and specified safety devices.
  • Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery.
  • Test drive trucks and buses to diagnose malfunctions or to ensure that they are working properly.
  • Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
  • Attach test instruments to equipment, and read dials and gauges to diagnose malfunctions.
  • Rebuild gas or diesel engines.
  • Inspect and verify dimensions and clearances of parts to ensure conformance to factory specifications.
  • Inspect, test, and listen to defective equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using test instruments such as handheld computers, motor analyzers, chassis charts, or pressure gauges.
  • Recondition and replace parts, pistons, bearings, gears, and valves.
  • Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels.
  • Specialize in repairing and maintaining parts of the engine, such as fuel injection systems.
  • Align front ends and suspension systems.
  • Inspect, repair, and maintain automotive and mechanical equipment and machinery, such as pumps and compressors.
  • Install or repair accessories.
  • Disassemble and overhaul internal combustion engines, pumps, generators, transmissions, clutches, and differential units.
  • Diagnose and repair vehicle heating and cooling systems.
  • Repair or adjust seats, doors, or windows.
  • Follow green operational practices involving conservation of water or energy or reduction of solid waste.
  • Adjust or repair computer controlled exhaust emissions devices.
  • Measure vehicle emissions to determine whether they are within acceptable limits.
  • Maintain or repair vehicles with alternative fuel systems, including biodiesel, hybrid, or compressed natural gas vehicles.
  • Operate valve-grinding machines to grind and reset valves.
Work Context

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

Work Activities
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems.
  • Repair non-engine automotive or vehicle components.
  • Adjust vehicle components according to specifications.
  • Service green vehicles to make repairs or maintain good working order.
  • Service green vehicles to make repairs or maintain good working order.
  • Measure equipment outputs.
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Knowledge

Mechanical
  • Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Transportation
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Customer and Personal Service
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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Skills

Repairing
  • Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Troubleshooting
  • Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operation and Control
  • Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring
  • Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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Abilities

Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Finger Dexterity
  • The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Manual Dexterity
  • The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Hot Technology
  • Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS Hot Technology
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA Hot Technology
  • Computer aided design CAD software Hot Technology
Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
  • Word processing software
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