Diesel mechanics must be able to maintain and repair a wide range of equipment, ranging from small diesel engines to large fixed units that are used in industry.
For this reason, a diesel mechanic should seek out books that help him or her remain up to date with the current state of the art, both for diesel engines in general and the mechanic’s particular specialty.
The following five books are an example of books that can be of assistance to most diesel mechanics, especially those who are just starting in this field.
In addition, because these books are easily available, a diesel mechanic can obtain them no matter where he or she is currently working.
Important Considerations When Purchasing Books about Diesel Engines
There are several considerations that a diesel mechanic should take into account when he or she is choosing which books to purchase.
Making an unwise choice can result in the loss of valuable time, as well as the waste of money spent purchasing a book that is not useful to the mechanic.
Only Purchase Up to Date Books
A diesel mechanic should make certain that any books he or she purchases are up to date.
This does not simply mean picking books that were recently published, but also demands that the mechanic purchase the most recent edition of any available book.
This can be especially important for those mechanics who are currently taking courses in diesel engineering, as many schools prefer to use the most recent edition of any given book.
Purchase Books that are Relevant to the Mechanic’s Needs
A diesel mechanic who works on heavy engines is unlikely to need a reference manual on the two-stroke engines used in small appliances.
For this reason, any mechanic should focus on purchasing those reference books that are most related to his or her specialty.
In many cases, the mechanic’s school or employer will have a list of books that the mechanic will be expected to purchase as a condition of his or her employment.
Purchase Books that are Centered on the Mechanic’s Nation
A diesel mechanic should focus on purchasing books that are printed with his or her nation in mind.
In addition to the possibility of finding erroneous information regarding licensing or other regulatory requirements, the design of a domestic diesel engine may differ from that intended for a foreign market.
For this reason, the mechanic should be certain that he or she is only purchasing those books that are relevant to his or her nation.
Five Books for Diesel Mechanics
The following five books represent some of the most popular books currently for sale on this subject. While they are not the only books a diesel mechanic should purchase, they are an excellent grounding for new and experienced diesel mechanics alike.
Heavy Duty Truck Systems
This comprehensive and recently updated reference work
In addition, the volume covers recent National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) competency areas, allowing the student to prepare to be certified in a variety of fields. The book comes with over 1700
Finally, Heavy Duty Truck Systems comes with a companion workbook that provides a wide range of training exercises that can be used in cooperation with studying the primary textbook. These exercises include review material, Internet study exercises and NATEF focused job and study sheets. For this reason, the workbook can help a student quickly obtain a full understanding of the material covered in the primary textbook.
Medium & Heavy Duty Truck Engines, Fuel & Computerized Management Systems
This book primarily focuses on current engine,
Because the text is focused on the power train systems, rather than the wider focus of Heavy Duty Truck Systems, it is most commonly used as a reference by mechanics who primarily work on those systems, or by students who are taking a course in diesel engine technology.
The fourth edition includes nine new chapters to reflect industry trends and technology, such as the growing integration of computerized control and management systems into modern power trains.
In fact, the fourth edition has reduced the amount of information relating to the largely obsolescent hydromechanical fuel systems, demonstrating the importance of remaining focused on current developments in the field of diesel engineering.
Modern Diesel Technology: Heavy Equipment Systems
Heavy equipment, such as construction equipment, large commercial and mining equipment, have quite different maintenance and repair requirements when compared to regular commercial diesel engines.
For this reason, this volume can be quite useful for diesel engine technicians and mechanics who are considering transitioning to working on heavy equipment systems.
This work is used in a wide range of diesel engineering training programs, and so it has been extensively reviewed by a variety of instructors and experts in this field.
Marine Diesel Engines: Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Repair
As with heavy equipment diesel engines, marine diesel engines often face the mechanic with their own specific challenges.
This book, which has been popular for over 15 years and has been updated on several occasions, is an effective reference manual for both the novice and professional diesel mechanic.
It's simple and effective organization makes it highly useful for a mechanic who is preparing to transition into a career working with marine diesel engines, or a novice who is just starting his or her training in diesel repair techniques.
Troubleshooting and Repair of Diesel Engines
This work is focused primarily on the process of repairing and maintaining modern diesel engines, and as such is suited to the advanced student or practicing mechanic.
This volume has been kept up to date with the current state of the art in modern diesel engine technology, including extensive information on how to maintain and repair diesel engines and fuel systems that make use of biodiesel and other alternative fuels.
In addition, the fourth edition includes extensive new material on how to maintain and repair modern electronic engine management systems. This is quite important due to the fact that the growing emphasis on complying with strict emission standards has resulted in a growing reliance on these electronic systems and the mechanic must be aware of how they interact with other diesel engine systems.
Over 350 drawings, diagrams and photos allow the mechanic to easily understand the subject
In fact, the fourth edition has reduced the amount of information relating to the largely obsolescent hydromechanical fuel systems, demonstrating the importance of remaining focused on current developments in the field of diesel engineering.
Ultimately, picking effective manuals on diesel technology, whether they focus on specific aspects of diesel engine repair and maintenance or are part of a more general overview of the subject, is a vital part of any diesel engine mechanic’s education.
Fortunately, these books provide an excellent grounding in this field, whether their reader is a new student or an experienced diesel repair specialist.