Diesel technicians repair and maintain the diesel engines that power transportation equipment such as semi-trucks, buses and locomotives, mobile equipment, including bulldozers, cranes, road graders, farm tractors, and combines.
Technicians must be versatile to adapt to needs of customers and new technologies including the use of a variety of electronic and computerized testing equipment to pinpoint and analyze malfunctions in electrical systems and engines.
Diesel careers can take you from a repair shop, to a farmer’s field or construction site, to a company maintaining their vehicle fleet, to the transportation authority of a large city or railway, to working on semi-trucks, or to an agricultural implement dealership.
Technicians may work on a vehicle’s electrical system one day and do major engine repairs the next. In eighteen months Salina Tech Diesel Technology students are trained in this high tech field through classes, and hands-on projects in our top-of-the-line facilities.
This is an ASE certified NATEF program. Instructors are Master ASE Certified.
Career Opportunities: Service Representative, Sales and Parts Representative, Small Business Owner, Fuel Injection Specialist, Diesel Technician, Service Manager, Store Manager
| Diesel Technology Certificate | ||||
| Fall Semester Courses* | Credits | Fall Semester Courses* | Credits | |
| DST 105 Basic Engines | 7 | DST 205 Torque Converters & Power Shift Transmissions | 7 | |
| DST 120 Electrical Systems | 8 | DST 210 Hydraulics, Hydrostatic Drive, Steering & Suspension Systems | ||
| 8 | ||||
| TOTAL CREDITS: | 15 | TOTAL CREDITS: | 15 | |
| Spring Semester Courses* | Credits | Spring Semester Courses* | Credits | |
| DST 110 Basic Power Trains and Cab Air Conditioning | DST 215 Diesel Fuel Injection Systems | 7 | ||
| 8 | DST 220 Major Diesel Engine Overhaul, Dyno Testing & Tune-Up | |||
| DST 115 Brakes-Hydraulic and Air | 7 | 7 | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS: | 15 | TOTAL CREDITS: | 14 | |
| TOTAL CERTIFICATE CREDITS: | 59 |
*Students must meet with a Diesel Technology instructor to develop a 2 year plan of study.
Admission Criteria
Associate of Applied Science Degree: 74 Credits
To complete the Associate of Applied Science Degree, a student must:
High school students must start the Diesel Technology program as juniors.
DST 105 Basic Engines, 7 credits.
This course covers theory of operation, principles and construction of two and four stroke cycle, single and multiple cylinder engines. It includes timing the engine to factory specifications. Disassembly, inspect, measuring all parts and compare to factory specifications. Reassemble and make all adjustments. Performance is exhibited by assembly adjustment, and running the engine.
OR
DST 120 Electrical Systems, 8 credits. (Pre-requisite: Basic Engines)
Basic electrical principles and application of magnetism and electromagnetism including the design, operation, and testing of lead acid batteries are taught. Course material also includes the use and operation of electrical meters: principles of operation and testing procedures for cranking motors, switches, drives and operation, testing, and repair of AC charging systems.
DST 205 Torque Converters and Power Shift Transmissions, 7 credits.
Instruction includes principles and application of the operation, disassembly, failure analysis, rebuilding, testing, and troubleshooting of torque converters, countershaft and planetary power shift transmissions. Manual, automatic, and electronic shifting in valve controls are covered.
OR
DST 210 Hydraulics, Hydrostatic Drive, Steering, and Suspension Systems, 8 credits.
Students learn the principles and application of operation, disassembly, failure analysis, rebuilding, testing, and troubleshooting for pumps, actuators, reservoirs, lines, fittings, fluids, hydrostatic drives, steering systems, and pilot operated systems and electronic hydraulics.
DST 110 Basic Power Trains and Cab Air Conditioning, 8 credits.
This course covers the theory of power transmissions from the engine to the rear wheels including clutch, transmission, drive line, differential, and rear axle. Disassembly, inspection, adjustments, and reassembly of single and double countershaft transmission and differential are covered. The diagnostic theory, identification of components, and service of cab air conditioning will be studied.
OR
DST 115 Brakes– Hydraulic and Air, 7 credits.
Students study the theory of hydraulic and air brakes, disassemble and reassemble, inspection of master cylinder, wheel cylinders, brake assembles, and power brake units. Also included in this section are the operation, inspection and troubleshooting of air compressors, foot and hand valves, relays, tractor protection valves, air driers, moisture ejectors, cam type, wedge type air disc brakes, air brake chambers, spring brake chambers and trailer air brake systems.
DST 215 Diesel Fuel Injection Systems, 7 credits.
This course covers the principles, applications, and operations of removing, testing, rebuilding calibrating, timing and installation of the four major diesel fuel injection systems including: distribution pumps, inline diesel pumps, PT pump/injectors, and unit injection systems. Course material also includes the operation and troubleshooting of electronic fuel systems.
OR
DST 220 Major Diesel Engine Overhaul, Dyno-Testing & Tune-up, 7 credits. (Prerequisite: DSL 105)
This course is designed to cover the diagnosis and dyno testing for the major engine overhaul of various diesel engines ( tune-up/overheads) including parts estimate, flat rate overhaul hours, removing, disassemble, failure analyses, rebuilding, dyno break-in installation and final touch-up painting of the overhauled engine.
The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) requires Salina Area Technical College to report about its graduates' gainful employment. In order to be eligible for funding under the Title IV programs, an educational program must lead to a certificate or degree (associate, bachelor's, graduate, or professional) or prepare students for "gainful employment in a recognized occupation" (GE Programs). Complete information on the GE Program requirements is available on the designated Gainful Employment Information Page that can be found at http://ifap.ed.gov/GainfulEmploymentInfo/.
| On-Time Completion Rates | |||
| Academic Year | Enrolled | Completed | On-time Completion Percentage |
| 2006-2007 | 29 | 19 | 66% |
| 2007-2008 | 22 | 21 | 95% |
| 2008-2009 | 14 | 14 | 100% |
| 2009-2010 | 29 | 25 | 86% |
| 2010-2011 | 30 | 24 | 80% |
| 2011-2012 | 24 | 21 | 88% |
| Academic Year | Placement Rates | |
| 2006-2007 | link to SATC Placement Rates | |
| 2007-2008 | link to SATC Placement Rates | |
| 2008-2009 | link to SATC Placement Rates | |
| 2009-2010 | link to SATC Placement Rates | |
| 2010-2011 | link to SATC Placement Rates | |
| 2011-2012 | Data for 2011-12 will be reported in 2013. | |
| Academic Year | Total # of Loans taken by Post-Secondary DST students | Median Loan Debt |
| 2006-2007 | 17 | $3,500 |
| 2007-2008 | 10 | $1,750 |
| 2008-2009 | 14 | $2,936 |
| 2009-2010 | 7 | $0 |
| 2010-2011 | 6 | $6,053 |
| 2011-2012 | 25 | $5,500 |
