Diesel Applied Technology

The Diesel Applied Technology curriculum offers an opportunity to receive theoretical knowledge and develop skills necessary to function as a diesel technician. The curriculum is designed to give a practical approach, under shop performance conditions, for the study of diesel applied technology. Currently there is a shortage of diesel technicians and our program will prepare you for a job in this fast-paced career.

Diesel News - -

New Training engines:

The diesel department purchased two new training engines. They are an 07 Cummins ISC with a Diesel Particlate filter and a Caterpillar C15 ACERT engine. Both of these engines are current production and will be used to teach the latest electronic engine technology.

Date of this item added : 2008-04-03

High Horsepower diesel:

Stewart&Stevenson a local engine distributor donated a Hi-Horsepower Cummins engine to the diesel program. The engine a Cummins VT-1710, is a 12 cylinder, twin turbocharged, 700 horsepower engine.


Date of this item added : 2008-01-19

Training engine:

The diesel department received a donated John Deere, 13.5L, 500hp Tier III engine from Felix Diesel Service. The engine will be used in the lab for students to teardown and inspect different components.

Date of this item added : 2007-12-10

Program Information
A diesel technician may get a job repairing and maintaining diesel powered equipment, such as heavy trucks, buses; construction equipment such as bulldozers, crane, and road graders; and farm equipment such as tractors and combines. A small number work on diesel-powered automobiles. Diesel technicians also service a variety of other diesel-powered equipment, such as electric generators and compressors and pumps used in oil well drilling and irrigation systems.

The Diesel technology field is changing every day. Today’s diesel technicians need to have special skills. They have to have a basic knowledge of computers, basic electricity, troubleshooting skills and how to use the latest software to troubleshoot today’s electronic engines. Our program trains students on the latest electronic engines like Cummins, Caterpillar and Detroit. Students also learn how to use the latest software like Cummins Insite, Cat Electronic Technician, Detroit Diesel Diagnostic Link and other software’s used today. Because of proposed emissions requirements, diesel technicians have to be able to service the engines that are used today and in the future.

Good reading and basic mathematics skills are needed to study technical manuals to keep abreast of the new technology and learn new service and repair procedures and specifications. Computer skills are also useful, as many truck, diesel engine and equipment manufactures provide specialized, updated service and repair procedures and specifications on the Internet.

Employers sometimes send experienced technicians to special training classes conducted by truck, bus, diesel engine, parts, and equipment manufacturers, where they learn the latest technology. Certain truck, diesel engine and equipment manufactures also require technicians to undergo computerized training to keep up with today’s ever changing technology.

Voluntary certification by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is recognized as a standard of achievement for diesel technicians. Technicians may be certified as Master Medium/ Heavy-Duty Truck Technician or may be certified in one or more of following different areas of medium/ heavy-duty truck repair; diesel engines, drive trains, brakes, suspension and steering, electrical/electronic systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, preventive maintenance inspection and truck electronic diesel engine diagnosis.  For certification in each area, technicians must pass a written examination and have at least two years of experience (two years of school count as one year of experience). To retain certification, technicians must retake the tests at least every five years.

Pete Carpentier Diesel Applied Technology Coordinator pcarpen@delmar.edu DMC-West Diesel Building Room 111 698-1768

Kelvin Jones kjones1@delmar.edu DMC-West Diesel Building Room 111 698-1717