u/Loingsign — reddlx

10+ yr Diesel/Auto tech looking to improve my diagnostic abilities.

Been a fleet mechanic (Class 8) for about 6 years, and a School Bus/Auto mechanic for 4.

I know my weakest area (other than advanced electrical) is specifically knowing what to diagnose to get to the problem. Sounds vague, I know.

As an example If I hear a ticking in the engine, what are the series of components to look into? What engine manufacturer has what hydraulic system? (Think valves, lifters, cams etc), is the other problem an electrical or vacuum failure? What kind of failure?

What's actually causing that noise? Throwing that code? Components of each transmission that could fail?

I feel like I can diagnose & repair 90% of intermediate problems, but anything advanced (...you know what kind of stuff I mean) I get to a point of not even knowing what, or where to look, and I fkn hate that.

I'm looking for the best program (as a 40yo) that teaches diagnostics, whether that be online, or a local program I find around here.

Is the ASE cert path what I'm looking for? (As well as a good diag training?)

Can you point me in the right direction? I'm trying to learn more, get better and more confident in my diagnosis for my customers.

Or, do I just need to get better at Google searches until I hands on learn the systems of each new car I touch?

Preciate'it lads (and lasses)

reddit.com

u/Loingsign — 2 days ago

▲ 3 r/f150ecoboost+1 crossposts

2011 F150 3.5L EcoBoost engine noise? - Need some advice (Video sounds louder than actual engine)

For reference, I'm a 10 year Diesel fleet mechanic, so I have some mechanical knowledge, just don't have any specific experience with this engine.

Looking to purchase this '11 F150 XLT 3.5L 138k $11k. I was considering a GM of the same era, but, y'know, AFM and 6L80 ....

It needs a bit of work, but the biggest "concerns" are what appears to be a vertical scrape on cylinder 4, a misfire (cyl 6), oil in the intake valley (don't mind replacing intake manifolds - internals are where I draw the line), and under boost fault condition. During light acceleration >50mph, there's that shudder. If I push the engine in the right way, I can cause a misfire event.
There was a stored O2 sensor fault, and again, don't mind replacing that.
I haven't thoroughly looked through the turbo piping (smoke machine on the way) but I found a TINY hole in cross breather tube (fixed) but I didn't see anything egregious as far as intake leaks.
It needs new plugs, and maybe a new coil for the misfire, but hopefully that's the fix.
There wasn't a lot of oil in the intercooler.....don't ask me how I know.

With all of that being said, I just want to know that if new plugs/coils fix misfire, and I find underboost issue in a leaky pipe, or even wastegate, is there a way to know if the turbos need replacing without full removal?
If plugs/coils don't fix misfire, what am I looking at?

Tl:Dr - Does fixing misfire, turbo tubing leak fix the acceleration shudder? How do I know turbos are bad without putting a ton of time into diag? Also, does engine sound ok? I don't know if this is one of those "GM lifter ticks - that's normal" things.

I love and appreciate you if you're still here.

u/Loingsign — 11 days ago

▲ 5 r/Welding

I've welded a handful of times using Mig, but only to attach something to another in the shop (ya.....welding, dummy)

Needed to reinforce my trailer floor, so I bought the Titanium Flux 125 from HF

Ran about 6 practice beads, then went to town.

I think my problem (one of) is going too fast. I was welding into some thinner material and didn't want to melt through it.

I see moments of great welds for 4 or 5 pools. Then shite, then decent again. There seems to be a lot of BB's that attatch too.

Looking for any advice.

u/Loingsign — 23 days ago