Cheeky request for help/advice

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Norfolknick

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I have been away for last couple of months which has put me very behind in preparing Seabee for 2010 sailing. I am now keen to get cracking so the weekend will have me up to my elbows...

Something I have failed in the past to do is service my own engine (criminal I know) - indeed diesels have always scared me. I think it was something to do with my fleet training in the RN and the Chief Stoker?!?!

I have a Yanmar 1GM10 and was wondering if anyone out there could offer me some assistance in a basic start of the season service (it was looked at professionally at the end of last year so should not need much). The boat is in the water at SYH and I am free whenever someone could help?!?!

Any comments, thoughts, offers gratefully received.
 
Well, strictly amateur advice:

At the end of the season I change the oil and oil filter. So at the beginning of the season all I do is check the level is what I thought it to be when I finished at the end ofthe oil change. So far it's always been the same! Ditto Gearbox every two years.

I check the alternator belt for wear and adjustment. Not sure how far it should 'deflect' on your Yanmar but it shouldn't be obviously loose or bar tight.

I check for signs of water or oil seepage.

I put a mixture of fresh water and anti freeze in the direct water passages for the winter. Dare I say that this just flushes out on start!

Before the season:

I change the impellor. I check the level of water in the header tank (irrelevant if you are direct water cooling). I change that about every five years. I change the two fuel filters.

Lubricate cable ends as necessary.

I also adjusted the tappets this year (first tiime in five years) - not usually an annual job.

That's it for me. Stern Tube is water lubricated so I check water is going along the pipe on start up.
 
How much you need to do depends upon what the engineer did at the end of last season. Did he take the impellor out of the water pump and did he change the oil and the oil and fuel filters? Perhaps the start point would be to see if the work is detailed on his invoice.

I would also be looking at the stern gland t. If it was not letting too much water through last year it should just be a matter of topping up the grease in the greaser, provided you have one.

My boat is only over the other side near Woodbridge and I would offer to help but I have been laid up the last 8 weeks with a bad back so am unable to drive, let alone climb in a boat. Hopefully someone will be along shortly but I guess many forumites will be away for the long weekend.
 
Thanks

Many thanks for the words of wisdom thus far.

I appreciate most people will be out enjoying the weather (I shall not go as far as saying the good weather) this weekend. It is my own fault for not getting better organised earlier in the year.

If however, there is anybody next week or the week after who could afford me a bit of time to direct and guide, it would be much appreciated.

Kindest regards

Nick
 
Norfolknick said:
Many thanks for the words of wisdom thus far.

I appreciate most people will be out enjoying the weather (I shall not go as far as saying the good weather) this weekend. It is my own fault for not getting better organised earlier in the year.

If however, there is anybody next week or the week after who could afford me a bit of time to direct and guide, it would be much appreciated.

Kindest regards

Nick
Click to expand...

First off, you need to establish what the fitter did last year. For instance, no point fitting an impeller if he did it at the end of season.

The other option is to forget what might have been done and start from scratch with your own service schedule. Have a list of things to do at the end of the season and a list for the beginning of the new one. Start now with a comprehensive service, change all oils, filters, impeller and coolant.

So, how do you plan to proceed with future servicing ? Do them all yourself, or get a fitter to do them ? Best stick to one or the other, IMO, doing some yourself and letting someone else do others gets messy and confusing. Most fitters don't like that either.

I would suggest that if you're going to do any servicing, you look into what was done last time, post that info back here and let's see what you need to do now. Then, plan a service regime for future servicing.
 
Hi mate. Serviced my 1GM10 For the first time last week. Changed oil and fuel filters, engine oil, checked g/box oil level and replaced impeller AND anode. The old anode had vanished even though last owner assured me he had changed it last summer.

Not a hard engine to work on, having said that access on my W21 is very good once the covers are off. I downloaded a service manual from a link in another thread but really straight forward.

Good luck and don't forget the anode!
 
blind leading the blind?

Hiya

Now this might be the blind leading the blind, but I do keep my boat at SYH, so I am at least in the right location.

On the plus side, I service, and to some extent, troubleshoot my own engine. I do impeller changes, fan belt adjustment, topping up of lubricants, oil changes, filter changes, anode changes etc. I understood all the comments made above except for the tappets.

On the minus side, I don't know your engine as I have a rather smart Beta 13.5 and have no experience of other engines.

So if you wanted someone to come along and look at your engine with you and offer general assistance, I could do that.

If you have a manual with illustrations or photos, it should be relatively straightforward.

PM me if you think I would be any help.

Oh, just another thought. Have you thought of doing an RYA diesel engine maintenance course? There is a SYH resident who does these. This is a busy time of year for him, but it just occurs to me that he might be talked into coming onto your boat and teaching you how to service your engine for a small fee.
 
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