My need some advice here

[95formula383lt1]

So ive been laid off since 6/08 been apply for tons of jobs, never any luck. Well the fiance calls and says my aunt and uncle are in bad need of help (as far as i know they own a shop repairing diesel trucks and stuff). With that being said she said there willing to train me and stuff. Well ive never touched a diesel engine in my life. Ive used diesel oil in my lt1 thats it. I can do pretty much anything to a car and built a few from the ground up i can learn anything an pretty fast too. Ive really been wanting to get into the diesel mechanic field pretty bad lately but there no school close by that offers the program. I also have no shop experience and this will give me a chance to get it. Only problem is its going to be part time for now. And it would be me drive 80 miles a day round trip to and from work. My interview is Tuesday. Are the diesel engines really that different then ur basic v8 or v6? and do u have any advice on what i should wear things i should say or ask they may put me to work Tuesday to the fiance mentioned? remember this is my 1st job interview in the last 4 years pretty much. thanks so much.

she also mentioned her uncle is a complete asshole to work for lol. so id have to bite my tongue.

[BLK95-Z]

Sounds to me its a good way to get your foot in the door in that industry. I wish I had an opportunity like that.

If your mechanically inclined then your mechanically inclined with anything. You see and understand how things work and thats half the knowledge IMO. The only thing that sucks is the 80 mile commute....get a junky ass $500 honda and your set! Good luck

[popo8]

I told him the same thing about a 4 banger commuter.


And Paul, bite your tongue, learn what you can, and with that experience, move on if the pay does not equal the haul...

[95formula383lt1]

i may do the 4 banger. we will see how it goes for the 1st month before i do that though. I dont have a problem biting my tongue. and yes thats what i need badly is my foot in the door, ive been turned down by so many jobs cuz i lack the shop experience and on the book mechanical experience.

[CamaroZGuy]

for the most part, the big difference is the compression, and Gas engines use a spark ignition system, where diesels use high pressure fuel injection. though most big diesel company's (Cat, Cummings, Detroit, international...) use there own veration of the injection system, if you can learn one of them you can apply the basic knowledge to all. i have been working on all makes of Diesels for the past 4.5 years and if you have basic automotive knowledge you should have no problem working on them.

[95formula383lt1]

sweet thank you for that towshen. thats what i needed to hear. they look scary and sound scary to work on but there still a internal combustion engine just has different characteristics it sounds like. i hope i get it and they train me well.

[CamaroZGuy]

np, they are not scary at all, if any thing they can be ezer to work on.

[95formula383lt1]

how hard is it to change the oil on them lol? how much oil do most of them even take lmao.

[CamaroZGuy]

all depends on the engine, and what type of vehicle its in. do you know if the shop works on over the road diesels or like duramaxx, powerstrokes? on your regular HD trucks it about the same as doing a oilchange on an fbody, wile on an over the road (ex Cat C7) its much ezer since the oil filter is about the size of a 2 liter bottle. and oil usage can be any wear from 10-40+ quarts depending on the application.

[Tarheel'Z']

how hard is it to change the oil on them lol? how much oil do most of them even take lmao.

i think my old work truck (powerstroke) took about 15 quarts,,,, i think your over thinking this to much,,youll be fine,go in with confidence,,being laid off since 6/08 im not sure there is a "bad" opportunity,,as said before if ya dont like it use it to get your foot into the industry somewhere else

[95formula383lt1]

thank you for the info an advise. yes i tend to over think things to much then get all tensed up bout it. I think im ready now lol. i hope i get it and i hope the hours are decent. 2 of there full time guys just quit.

[95formula383lt1]

just map quested it 60 miles there 60 miles back. thats a LONG drive. :(

[95formula383lt1]

oo and i just learned its big trucks that they work on mainly the BEALLS Store semis and other fleets. i would start out part time 15-30hrs a week. but holy crap 120 miles a day!!

[KissMyWhtSS]

oo and i just learned its big trucks that they work on mainly the BEALLS Store semis and other fleets. i would start out part time 15-30hrs a week. but holy crap 120 miles a day!!
Thank god for double over drive, eh?

[95formula383lt1]

Thank god for double over drive, eh?

untuned tho an getting 10-12mpg right now though :(

[popo8]

Like we discussed paul, unload your red TA and pick up a 4 banger. its always nice to have one waiting in the wings for whatever may come.

[95formula383lt1]

till i can unload the Red TA, im pretty much screwed with having to add 120miles a day on to my 191,5xx miles, added to my screwed mpgs lol. Its whatever im still going to talk to them tomorrow to see what flys, highly doubt the money an hours are going to be enough to compensate. its worth a shot.

[KissMyWhtSS]

Its whatever im still going to talk to them tomorrow to see what flys, highly doubt the money an hours are going to be enough to compensate. its worth a shot.

Good Luck!

[proace4]

get that car tuned with the first paycheck if you can...

i daily drove my Z last year 97 miles to and from work everyday! and i was in college all morning. it does make for some long drives but it also gave me time to think and reflect on certain things in my life. not sayin you got anything you need to but if you do.. you got time! lol i averaged about 24 mpg in a cammed Z at about 72. I had to stop everyday for gas at the station by my house and they still know me! lol gotta love gas station lifers! i drove my truck in the winter and it would average 19 at 70. you can make a living hopefully but it will take some self control...

dress in business casual and take work clothes with you! firm hand shakes go a long ways, eye contact and nodding when spoken to, always be respectful and address people correctly! other than the general stuff you probably already know... go with your gut and goodluck!

sounds like you have good mechanical instincts and that you have a good head on your shoulders! but no deisel into f-body threads okay?! lmao

[KissMyWhtSS]

dress in business casual and take work clothes with you!

sounds like you have good mechanical instincts and that you have a good head on your shoulders! but no deisel into f-body threads okay?! lmaoGood point. If they want to start you right away I don't think you want to say "Okay let me drive 120 miles to get some clothes"

[95formula383lt1]

thanks proace4. great info. yea ill bring clothes for sure. i just really am hoping they pay enough to pay my rent bills and gas if not ill be screwed lol. Still going to be positive and hope for the best. I promise no diesel into fbodys lol. the plan is to get it tuned but cant send the computer out now when i have to drive the car :(

and yes i do need lots of time to think an ease the mind

[proace4]

lol good to hear. if you have someone around you with the program and a cable try and get an email tune! its cheaper and pretty easy with little to no down time at all!

[95formula383lt1]

no one had the cable :( i tried that. i need to buy one. i was thinking bout tuner cats, but its just easier to do mail order

[95formula383lt1]

scary thing is the motor isnt in the best of shape, need to get triple A towing on it. it just dyno'd 299hp lol

[proace4]

ya i saw that... idk man but an email tune is definitely a cake walk! i think someone has to be around you who has one! datamaster is free but you still need a cable. and then idk if they have a tuning program with a free trial period...

[95formula383lt1]

damn... i need to look into that asap then. will the tuner cats cable work? maybe i can buy just the cable?

[warnerTA]

wonder what he found out? :) let us know paul!

[Biggin'89]

i have a cable for my old 95 i'll let go for a deal, pm me a offer

[95formula383lt1]

just got back. i guess im hired they said start tomorrow. shes going to call me tonight to talk about money and hours when she gets a chance to talk with her husband. Im trying it under the table for a few weeks on trial bases for my benefit and theirs. The job description wasnt what i expected. I will be greasing the 5th wheels, and oil changes and looking over the trucks before there returnded. then I will be starting out scrapping the stickers and stuff off the sides of the trailers, repairing the insides (damage from pallet jacks) and the tops of the trailers replacing fiberglass. Ive never done any of it before, dont like the idea of being 20 something feet in the air ether really. But i need a job and its worth a shot. I just hope the money is good enough.

[95formula383lt1]

i have a cable for my old 95 i'll let go for a deal, pm me a offer

give me a week or so to figure out my money and i will send u a pm, thank you!

[popo8]

Congrats, and good luck homey!!!!

How was the hour drive anyways?????

[95formula383lt1]

sucked lol. ended up being in a half hour traffic jam, used a full tank of gas today FTL!

[Camaro_94]

Good luck man!

Just take everything one step at a time, and you'll be fine. :cheers:

[95formula383lt1]

thanks!

[popo8]

You know a TUNE may help you with the gas mileage. lol!

[KissMyWhtSS]

Good luck dude.

[CamaroZGuy]

congrats! be careful on them 5th wheels, there can be some wicked metal spurs that can F you up when greasing them.

[popo8]

Well... hows it going PAUL?

[95formula383lt1]

the job is alright its stuff i dont feel safe or comfortable doing at all but thats W/E. the ppl there are pretty cool though. but the drive and gas isnt working. and i got busted for my stupid exhaust in that retarded town this morning. Ive been filling up EVERYDAY. and i feel like im going to fall asleep while driving on the way home, and the 1hr drive takes 2hrs sometimes, kinda like tonight i left at 4:55 and i just now got home 6:40 stupid traffic. Getting another car right now is outta the question, so im going to have to find another job closer ASAP.

[popo8]

Well that sucks, but a tank a day is alot of money.....

[95formula383lt1]

yea it is im still trying to hold on to it but its really not going to last. my car is seeping dex cool from the passenger side head. :(

[95formula383lt1]

and today, i dropped a semi truck driver site tank tore all the plugs out drained it flushed it an cleaned it out then installed it. then im still working on repairing the damaged trailer, and worked on sealing up the roof of another trailer.

[Tarheel'Z']

my man this is just what you need for that long commute

http://ltxtech.com/forums/showthread.php?7043-Motorcycle-for-sale&p=111007&highlight=bike+sale#post111007

[popo8]

A bike would be a real gas saver! however, I suggested that he unload the red TA that was newly aquired and pickup a cheap 4 cyl beater.... like a disposable $500 one.....

[95formula383lt1]

a 500 dollar car would be fine. but i have no insurance in my own name cuz of my driving record. My insurance on my truck alone was around 500 a month. it was like 469.00 but varied some months. I have my truck and my car on my mom an dads insurance in there name. I cannot add another car to it, nor can i drop my truck or car. Even if i had a $500 beater the drive doesn't seem worth it to me. Id be better off flipping burgers.

[AChotrod]

Damn that kinda sucks its not working out. Sounds like a fun job to me, plus I like a long drive in the morning wakes me up but it does suck coming home. Drop the insurance on the the Formula, and snag up a beater. I wouldnt keep driving it if its got a bad HG and is using a tank a day. Get that car fixed b4 you ruin it.

[95formula383lt1]

i cant drop the insurance on the formula my moms insurance wont let her drop a car then add it again, plus i could never go without driving my car i wouldnt be able to look at it and not be able to drive it when i want to. ive been talkin with her about it, shes had them for 20 years now an there still assholes about it her insurance plan but there cheap. Im going to be driving the truck for now while i tear the car down and the truck has worn out mudders :(. Its kinda a fun job and then its not, im kinda the shop bitch, all the shitty jobs the other ppl dont want to do, they make me do and im getting the least amount of pay. Im pretty sure im going to quit if my paycheck doesn't compensate for the money going to gas and and maintenance. I guess ill just flip burgers locally if that's what i gotta do.

[Tarheel'Z']

please dont take offense to this but it seems like your willing to give up way to easy..sounds like you wanna flip burgers..doing the shitty jobs for the least money is called "the way it is" you dont expect the guy thats been there for 5 yrs to do the shitty job when he has a new guy that can do it,, do ya?just think, you can be that 5yr guy giving the new guy your shitty jobs.i started plumbing as a helper making peanuts doing all the b/s for a couple years..now im a service tech pulling down 60-70k which is nice money for a plumber..point is dont let all those reasons(excuses) you keep stating cloud your vision for the future,,a burger flipper today is a burger flipper in 10 yrs,,,a diesel mechanic/helper/shop bitch is a lead mechanic/shop supervisor/shop owner in the future..believe me man i know its tough,,hell i was doing it with a wife and kids(been married since i was 18),,but there can be a light at the end of the tunnel,,its just whether or not you wanna see it,,this could be that time in your life when you look back yrs later and think "man im glad i stuck it out":peace2:;)

[popo8]

please dont take offense to this but it seems like your willing to give up way to easy..sounds like you wanna flip burgers..doing the shitty jobs for the least money is called "the way it is" you dont expect the guy thats been there for 5 yrs to do the shitty job when he has a new guy that can do it,, do ya?just think, you can be that 5yr guy giving the new guy your shitty jobs.i started plumbing as a helper making peanuts doing all the b/s for a couple years..now im a service tech pulling down 60-70k which is nice money for a plumber..point is dont let all those reasons(excuses) you keep stating cloud your vision for the future,,a burger flipper today is a burger flipper in 10 yrs,,,a diesel mechanic/helper/shop bitch is a lead mechanic/shop supervisor/shop owner in the future..believe me man i know its tough,,hell i was doing it with a wife and kids(been married since i was 18),,but there can be a light at the end of the tunnel,,its just whether or not you wanna see it,,this could be that time in your life when you look back yrs later and think "man im glad i stuck it out":peace2:;)


that was nicely put TARHEEL...


and Paul, did you look into what a beater would cost for you to insure on your own with SAFE AUTO with minimal coverage, limited tort and LIABILITY only,,, you may be suprised even with your driving record....

[AChotrod]

I wouldnt quit just yet. I started my career a carpet cleaners helper(total bitch job) Now Im the manager at the largest flooring retail store in Chicago making 70k plus sitting and talking to you fucks all day..

YOU ALWAYS START AT THE BOTTOM W/O ANY EXPERIENCE!!!! Its called working your way up. Stay with it and learn everything you can, then take it to the next place. A beater with a heater is the only way to do it. Insurance is cheap if you go through a broker even with a terrible record.

[95formula383lt1]

thanks for all the advise, and im going to take it. im still working there an have plans to stick it out as long as i can and learn as much as i can. the insurance an 4cyl beater is outta the question. I have to have sr22 insurance since i am a high risk driver i cannot afford the sr22 and the money to put down on the insurance and to buy the car. I have rent to pay, water, electric, cable and the other car insurance to pay also. So if this job cant pay the bills with using the vehicles i have then so be it. Im going to be looking for other jobs similar and local and try to stick it out till i find something better.

[popo8]

thanks for all the advise, and im going to take it. im still working there an have plans to stick it out as long as i can and learn as much as i can. the insurance an 4cyl beater is outta the question. I have to have sr22 insurance since i am a high risk driver i cannot afford the sr22 and the money to put down on the insurance and to buy the car. I have rent to pay, water, electric, cable and the other car insurance to pay also. So if this job cant pay the bills with using the vehicles i have then so be it. Im going to be looking for other jobs similar and local and try to stick it out till i find something better.


Well you and I have discussed how to get some decent money for that red TA... I think if you can part with it, that would have you sitting pretty....

[95formula383lt1]

im parting out the red TA i think, but i really dont have time to be tearing it apart being i go to work at 7 get home at 7. even if so im still not able to buy another 4cly car unless i dropped the truck or formula off the insurance and added the beater. and im not willing to drop my car off the insurance for any reason what so ever. and the family NEEDS the truck the truck so its not just benefiting me. i hate making decisions and thinking it sucks.

[warnerTA]

hey paul, good luck on your discision whatever you decide to do. if you stick it out who knows. maybe you will own that bitch some day :D lol just never know. oh and BTW flipping burgers...... ugh... SUCKS did it at a steak house for a while. its terrable LOL good luck man! let me know what you decide with the red TA too :)

[95formula383lt1]

well ive had a few offers thrown at me by my parents ( my whole family don't want me working there for the drive reason even my bitch aunt that thought i should take any job i could get ) so my mom and dad is willing to help me a send me off to the local vo-tech auto tech program and get my ASE Cert. after i graduate they will already have me a job lined up. Then my Dad today went an talked to his buddies that work at or manage local shops, and his buddy that manages good year wants to interview me in a week or 2. I really want to go to vo-tech auto tech program cuz by the time i graduate my driving record will be clean and that should open many doors for me. I had a scholarship the completely free ride when i graduated high school but i couldn't take it cuz i had a full time job an my mother was laid off so i made good money an had to support the house. the classes start march 12th and i have to make a decision ASAP to get in, and the class time 7:45am to 2.45pm so that would still give me time to maintain a part time job maybe even full time. So now i have some decisons to make, if i leave the shop im at now I WILL NOT burn the bridge an try to keep that door wide open, maybe work there on weekends even for spare cash.

[warnerTA]

awesome!!!!!!! do the schooling man!! this is good news lol

[95formula383lt1]

i think im going to. It would be nice to talk to good year first though.

[warnerTA]

yeah, find out how the job would be and what you would be doin and what not. cant hurt to ask

[95formula383lt1]

quiting for sure tomorrow. i recieved my first check today for last week i worked Wednesday Thursday Friday 8-5 all 3 days. I got a check for 192.40 and no taxes were taken out. so just got paid for doing hard ass work (brake jobs on trucks, fiberglass repair, trailer repair, fuel tank swaps, replacing panels and sealing roofs) working in the rain and 30-50 degree weather on roofs 8 DOLLARS an hour!! Needless to say tomorrow i tell them its not working out, thanks for the oportunity sorry it isnt working out for me, maybe in the future if i move closer and u have a position available id like to work for u again blah blah blah stuff.

[Tarheel'Z']

^ damn dude that sucks,,cant say i blame ya since its only 8 bucks an hour,,

[warnerTA]

yep screw that

[95formula383lt1]

yea i im saying screw it, tomorrow morning.

[hammz28]

sucks on the job i know how those long hauls go, takes all the fun outta workin! all i have to say is if your wanting to work in the automotive field for awhile and you go to school BUY TOOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i went to an automotive program at AB tech all the tool dealers offer like 40-50 percent off. my mom bought me the starter from snap-on paid like 5 or 6 grand for a box and a good set lets just say me buying tools for the past couple of years ive spent twices as much or more and have not got more than she did. amazing! BUY TOOLS BUY TOOLS BUY TOOLS! the school seems like a good way to go ASE helps out with new jobs more than you would imagine, really the only thing you need to get a job as a tech is tools and ase or experience (if you have both your prob. hired that day). good luck with whatever you do