Diesel engine course

[Graham_Wright]

I don't know it all; in fact the more I know the more I realise I don't know.

So………any recommendations preferably a bit more than how to change a filter etc.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

I don't know it all; in fact the more I know the more I realise I don't know.

So………any recommendations preferably a bit more than how to change a filter etc.

Get an engineer to show you how your specific engine works. You will learn more on your own boat in a few hours than a few days in a classroom.

 

[RobBrown]

Tony Brooks

Excellent 2 day courses.

http://www.tb-training.co.uk/

 

[Heckler]

Get an engineer to show you how your specific engine works. You will learn more on your own boat in a few hours than a few days in a classroom.

+1
the prob with courses is that they have a specific donk, they only teach you about that one although they talk generically. Picture, a force 8, feeling as sick as a dog, down below, pitch black, trying to change your fuel filter, for starters, odds are it will be in a different place to where you were taught. Get a man to show you on your boat.
Stu

 

[Graham_Wright]

Get an engineer to show you how your specific engine works. You will learn more on your own boat in a few hours than a few days in a classroom.

I know how it works;- you squirt air and diesel in and, with a bit of luck, it goes round!

When I tried to understand the innards of the injection pump, I found the diagrams needed a few words adding to them.

The access to my engine is better than many but it is still very confined. Out in the workshop where access is all round has to be preferred.

A few hours on my boat miles from the nearest harbour sounds a bit expensive as well.

 

[Graham_Wright]

Excellent 2 day courses.

http://www.tb-training.co.uk/

Sounds a friendly guy and generous with his advice.

 

[RupertW]

I went on a really good one a few years ago as I only really knew how to change fan belt, bleed the engine, and where the impeller is. Taught me loads of things and I enjoyed the day throughly.

Alas within a year I only remembered the two things I knew in the first place.

 

[rob2]

Luckily, or unfortunately (depending on your viewpoint) there isn't much beyond normal maintenance that you can do to a diesel engine, especially when on passage. If you can do your routine maintenance already, then a generic course may be helpful as it raises the issues you may be faced with and helps you to diagnose faults and for that you don't need to be working on your own model of engine.

Understanding the injector pump is interesting, but I wouldn't recommend doing anything with it on the boat - and neither would any diesel fitter, who uses specialist diagnostic and setting equipment to rebuild one on the bench. Sadly, that leaves you in a position where you are probably best served with something like the RYA day course to ensure you've covered all the basics possible to address whilst on the boat. Then you'll know, hopefully, whether any further training would be of benefit.

Rob.

 

[Graham_Wright]

Understanding the injector pump is interesting, but I wouldn't recommend doing anything with it on the boat - and neither would any diesel fitter, who uses specialist diagnostic and setting equipment to rebuild one on the bench.

Rob.

One of the bleed points on my 1.5ltr BMC engine shares its function with the governor. I would have liked to have known whether cracking the bleed screw would also disturb the governor.

 

[pvb]

One of the bleed points on my 1.5ltr BMC engine shares its function with the governor. I would have liked to have known whether cracking the bleed screw would also disturb the governor.

That's why the best advice is to pay someone to talk you through the aspects of your own engine, in your own boat.

 

[the_real_jaykay]

No affiliation but done a few courses with these guys: http://www.angliaseaventures.com/training-diesel.htm

It's an RYA course so other centres may offer it too.

Regards

 

[Stu Jackson]

I agree that learning about a diesel engine other than the one on YOUR boat is pretty pointless. The ideas presented about having someone show you on your engine/boat are good.

There are also, gasp, BOOKS and manuals which can be very helpful, many items available on the web from boatowners associations and manufacturers.