Diesel maintenance course with Volvo engine?

Pavalijo

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I want to book a diesel maintenance course and thought it would be best to find one where an engine similar to my VP 2040 is used. Ideally would like to be within a couple of hours of home (West Yorkshire) or boat (Kip), although will travel further if necessary.

Many thanks in advance,
Paul
 
I want to book a diesel maintenance course and thought it would be best to find one where an engine similar to my VP 2040 is used. Ideally would like to be within a couple of hours of home (West Yorkshire) or boat (Kip), although will travel further if necessary.

Many thanks in advance,
Paul

When I did the RYA Diesel Engine Course, I took several laminated photos of various parts of my Volvo Penta M22D.

Nobody else on the course did this, so the presenter helpfully referred to my pictures on every point, as well as his own presentation.

I didn't do it deliberately for this effect, but that's what happened.

In any event, having done the course, if I see a diesel engine in a boat, I can usually tell where the major items are, and how they work.

If you can't find a course with a similar engine to your own, the RYA course is well worthwhile. I did it at a canal based centre.
 
Thanks Richard,
sounds like a good idea. I understand that the course run by Sea Trek in my marina is well run, but thought I might as well try for a course run on a very similar engine if possible. I have bought a book for dummies with a good number of photos and before I go on a course I will try and read through this with the engine access open and identify the various parts. At least then I have a basic grounding on the marine diesel engine before I go. I did service my first car and have the engine out on the odd occasion, but that was 35 years ago and petrol!
Paul
 
You are fortunate in that you could not ask for a more simple and straightforward engine than a 2040. Everything except perhaps the water pump (where removal for replacement is difficult, but routine maintenance easy) is easily accessible, particularly if it is fitted in a boat like my Bavaria where there is good all round access.
 
I fully sympathise with you. I did the course and whilst it was useful, I did not feel confident to tackle my own engine (Yanmar 2GM) as the one used on the course was completely different. In the end, I employed the local marina mechanic for an hour or so to take me through (with my hands on) the basics of my engine. That was 10 years ago and I have done all routine servicing since. Well worth the outlay.
 
I found the RYA Diesel Course very generic, I have re-named it the RYA Terrifing Diesel Course, if I wanted specific quidance on a particular engine I'd arrange an hour or two with a good engineer.
 
Bit of a long trip for you but I did my course here
http://www.plymsail.co.uk/courses-diesel-engine.php
As you can see it uses the 2030 engine but I had no trouble relating it to a Volvo D2-55. Would thoroughly recommend the course, well taught and one of the two most productive days of my life in terms of money saved on servicing.

This course in Plymouth is a long way from home but we are considering moving the boat from Scotland to Plymouth next year and so might make a long weekend of it and recce local marinas!

I have already spoken to my engineer (Volvo specialists) who is happy for me to watch him when he services the engine this winter. Perhaps paying for an extra hour and getting hands on with his tuition would be worthwhile. It was suggested to me by someone in my marina that watching the engineer is invaluable and the "pros tips" can save hours when you do it yourself. I must ask him to run me through the process of removing the water pump, Tranona.
 
Just discovered that someone has built houses on the runway at Plymouth airport and the cheapest return rail fare is £165. No wonder the roads are so busy!

So - still looking for a course using a VP engine please?
 
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