A good book on Diesel engines for beginners?

F

fredrussell

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 Mar 2015
Messages
4,159
Visit site
Just bought my first boat with an inboard engine ( Yanmar 3GM30). I know nothing of marine diesels, is there a good introduction and guide to their upkeep that the panel might like to recommend please?
 
Download the Yanmar GM Workshop Manual (you'll find this as a free download). It's an absolute mine of useful information, tells you loads about the engine, includes troubleshooting suggestions too. Without doubt your best starting point.
 
RYA also do a course on basic maintenance & troubleshooting if that suits the way you like to learn. Being able to answer the question of what would you do if your engine stopped and being confident in your ability to do as much as you can yourself means you'll enjoy your boat & your sailing more...
 
I've got a free CD (I think from pbo) which shows how to service and fault find. Very good. Other than that just follow the handbook (I've also got one of those for a yanmar 2GM20 but may also cover 3GM) it's not rocket science.
 
I found the RYA course too general. I asked the local engineer to show me how he bled the engine after a filter change. Easy when you've seen it done. The rest of service is very straightforward.
 
I've collected several diesel engine books this century - most mentioned above - but IMHO the best and most useful by far is 'Marine Diesel Basics' by Scots engineer Dennison Berwick
I've used more of his tips and 'how to' ideas than the rest put together. His book - and e-book - is available via Amazon, or direct, and I'd recommend a peek at his website. He hosts a long list of free manuals and other downloads.... and is swift and keen to respond to direct questions on thorny problems. And there's a 'Black Friday' type 50% discount-deal on his book this coming weekend.... https://www.marinedieselbasics.com/


49094618676_d0f4e0228a_n.jpg
 
zoidberg said:
I've collected several diesel engine books this century - most mentioned above - but IMHO the best and most useful by far is 'Marine Diesel Basics' by Scots engineer Dennison Berwick
I've used more of his tips and 'how to' ideas than the rest put together. His book - and e-book - is available via Amazon, or direct, and I'd recommend a peek at his website. He hosts a long list of free manuals and other downloads.... and is swift and keen to respond to direct questions on thorny problems. And there's a 'Black Friday' type 50% discount-deal on his book this coming weekend.... https://www.marinedieselbasics.com/


49094618676_d0f4e0228a_n.jpg
Click to expand...

That does look good.
 
V1701 said:
RYA also do a course on basic maintenance & troubleshooting if that suits the way you like to learn. Being able to answer the question of what would you do if your engine stopped and being confident in your ability to do as much as you can yourself means you'll enjoy your boat & your sailing more...
Click to expand...

Great call this, if you aren’t too clever with the basics.
 
Ad lard Coles do a simple guide by tim Barrett as an alternate choice if you want a comparator to those mentioned. I found I learnt a lot from having my diesel service by a mechanic and assisting him in process and far cheaper and reliable than using likes of Golden Arrow
 
I just bought the i-book version at this weekend's discount price (£3.99 IIRC).

From a quick look it seems really excellent. It's impressively comprehensive; has very many explanatory drawings and diagrams; and is logically laid out and indexed . It is particularly good, it seems, at covering the basic/background knowledge that experienced people tend to forget that they know, and often miss out in their instructions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

boatmike
Merry Fisher 695
Replies
3
Views
219
Bouba
Bouba

Share this page

Top