Diesel Technology

As the diesel equipment industry continues to expand, the demand for technicians to repair and maintain diesel equipment grows. Students in the Diesel Technology program will receive training in the maintenance, servicing, and repair of medium-duty and heavy-duty transportation equipment. The Diesel Technology curriculum is designed to instruct students to work in the 21st century on the diesel engines that power vehicles like tractor/trailers, buses, and trucks. Areas of study include the use of technical manuals, a variety of power and hand tools, instruction in diagnosis and malfunction of computer controls, and parts inspection, repair and replacement. You will also receive training on other systems like brakes, drive trains, heating/air conditioning, and hydraulics. The program emphasizes the skills necessary to maintain all types of equipment, and how to repair and maintain both on- and off-road use vehicles. Instruction will be provided in oxyacetylene and AC/DC welding operations. Co-op opportunities exist for qualified students at dealerships, truck repair facilities, trucking companies, and construction equipment repair facilities. Students will have an opportunity to earn an International Mobile Air Conditioning Service Certification and Bendix Air Brake System Training Certificate of Completion. Students who qualify will be eligible to take the Pennsylvania Vehicle State Inspection and Emission programs.

Mr. Diehl
POssible Careers
  • Bus & Truck Mechanics & Diesel Engine Specialists
  • Locomotive Engineers
  • Locomotive Firers
  • Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators & Hostlers
  • Transportation Vehicle, Equipment & Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation
Potential Certifications
  • PA Safety Inspection Certification
  • PA Emissions Inspector Certification
  • I-MAC Certification
  • OSHA-10
  • Employability: Interviewing Skills
Articulated Credits
Post Secondary & Continued Education
  • Johnson College– 12 credits

Skill Alignment & CIP Code

Program Safety & Physical Considerations

  • Adhere to uniform requirements
  • A focus on safety around moving equipment, hand tools, power tools & other equipment found in the industry
  • Ability to diagnose the source of a problem quickly & accurately
  • Ability to work in tight spaces
  • Ability to work independently, read & follow directions
  • Good eye/hand coordination
  • Stamina to stand for long periods of time
  • Willingness to work with certain chemicals and be able to handle the odors associated with working in a diesel shop
  • Ability to lift relatively heavy equipment (at least 50–75 pounds)

Essential APTITUDES for This Lab – Recommended Levels

  • Finger dexterity, manual dexterity
  • Motor coordination
  • Critical thinking
  • Complex problem solving
  • Troubleshooting
  • Spatial/visual thinking
  • Good speaking skills
  • Organization
  • Willingness to get dirty
  • Self–disciplined
  • Work well with others and independently
  • Display on-task behavior

Reading

  • Explain the main ideas or draw accurate conclusions after reading the text
  • Follow a complex multi-step procedure independently
  • Comprehend written text and apply it to understand tables, charts, and other visuals
  • Learn and apply content–specific symbols correctly
  • Apply content–specific vocabulary correctly
  • Identify and explain how different ideas connect throughout the text
  • Read and understand diagnostic and schematic data to solve a problem
  • Compare & contrast information in a text
  • Summarize information from different written resources
  • By the end of grades 9–10 & 11–12 read & comprehend technical texts independently & proficiently
  • Textbook: Heavy Duty Truck Systems, Fifth Edition, Average grade reading level: 14.25
  • Textbook: Diesel Technology, Eighth Edition, Average grade reading level: 14.77

Writing

  • Produce clear & coherent writing
  • Develop and strengthen writing by brainstorming, revising, editing & rewriting
  • Write with awareness to an audience using program–specific vocabulary
  • Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self–generated question) or solve a problem
  • Write routinely over short/long time frames for a range of tasks, purposes & audiences
  • Clearly convey with precision step–by–step work completed
  • Write fast-paced, accurate work reports
  • Use technology to produce, publish, or share writing
  • Write different types of texts such as: argumentative, informative & explanatory focused on program-specific context

Math Levels

Numbers and Operations:

    • Grade 6 – Fluency in operations with whole numbers and decimals
    • Grade 6 – Fraction computations
    • Grade 7 – Percent and ratio problems
    • Algebra 1 – Problem solving with real world units, including conversions

Measurement:

    • NG – Units: English Metric Precision: 0.001 inch
    • Grade 6 – Unit conversion within and between measuring systems
    • Grade 8 – Volume of cone, cylinder, sphere

Algebraic Concepts:

    • Algebra 1 – Solve equations for a given variable (rewriting formulas)

Data and Probability:

  • Algebra 1 – Interpret data on various displays – use to make predictions

Theory Time

  • 30–60 minutes/day

Homework

  • 30–60 minutes/week – There will be an in–class opportunity to complete most assignments and also time to study for upcoming assessments. Additional studying and work not completed in–class will need to be completed at home.

Lab Time

  • 2– 2.5 hours/day

Tests

  • Chapter tests– online
  • Task list completion rubrics
  • NOCTI (mandatory for all CTE programs)

POS Academics and Electives Recommended

  • College Prep English & Math are a component of the DCTS program
  • Blueprint Reading

Study & Other Skills

  • Note-taking skills
  • Good attendance

Technology Skills/Knowledge

  • Use and navigate school-issued laptop
  • Web navigation
  • Email management
  • Navigate learning management system and instructional technology tools
  • Video conferencing
  • Database navigation
  • Use and navigate industry-specific electronic diagnostic equipment