Had a talk with an old diesel mechanic that made me rethink my whole approach to diagnostics

I was swapping stories with a guy named Pete who has been turning wrenches since the 70s. He told me he still starts every job by listening to the engine run for a full two minutes before touching any tools. Said he can hear problems that scanners miss, like a bad injector on a 6.0 Ford that only makes noise at 2,500 RPM. It hit me because I have been relying so much on my scan tool that I forgot the basics. Pete rebuilt three engines last year just by ear, no computer hooked up once. Ever had a moment where a older mechanic showed you something you thought you already knew?

3 comments

3 Comments

caseyc309d ago

What did Pete say he listens for specifically during those two minutes? I am curious if he has a routine for checking cylinder balance by ear or if he just picks up on the general engine character.

garcia.charles9d ago

@caseyc30, he probably just listens for the one cylinder that sounds like it's about to quit lmao.

bencampbell9d ago

Read somewhere Pete picks up on a slight misfire pattern.