engine checks

[thedoc]

Having owned my first boat for five years, I do all the engine servicing myself ie oil change,filters, belt checks, impeller etc. last year I also changed the freshwater/antifreeze and dismantled the exhaust bend to check it.
Are there other tasks i should be doing, perhaps ones that are only done every few years that are getting missed? Should I check injectors etc?
Many thanks for any help.

 

[nigel1]

Not knowing your engine, but yes, I would say that removing and having the injectors cleaned and flow tested will do no harm.
Timing belt, when was the last time that was changed???, and tensioner.
Thats also pretty straight forward, better if you can borrow a belt tension measuring thingy

 

[sailorman]

Not knowing your engine, but yes, I would say that removing and having the injectors cleaned and flow tested will do no harm.
Timing belt, when was the last time that was changed???, and tensioner.
Thats also pretty straight forward, better if you can borrow a belt tension measuring thingy

What @ 5 yrs & possibly under 500 hrs

 

[Ceejay]

Oil and filters are the main things.
I wouldn't waste money having injectors checked unless there are indications of a problem with them.
Timing belt change and tension check only applies if your engine has one; lots have chains which require no attention on a regular basis. They seem to be made of good stuff these days, I can't remember when I last heard one rattle.
Recent experience tells me that it's worth checking the condition of all of the sea water cooling hoses fitted to your system. If they look at all doubtful my advice would be to change them all, as they can chafe in hard to see places and leaks are hard to find.
CJ

 

[nigel1]

What @ 5 yrs & possibly under 500 hrs

Dont think there was any mention of the boat being 5 yrs old, just owned by the OP for last 5 yrs

 

[sailorman]

Dont think there was any mention of the boat being 5 yrs old, just owned by the OP for last 5 yrs

Fairy Nuf

 

[fisherman]

I asked the local pump and injector people if I should have the injectors overhauled, on my 6 cyl Ford mermaid Dover, 8000 hours. They said if it starts and runs cleanly, don't, it may only cause trouble. Bear in mind they were giving up the prospect of getting the job.

 

[theoldsalt]

I can second advise given to Fisherman.

Some time ago I had the injectors serviced on my Volvo just because it hadn't been done in years and even though the engine started and ran OK.

The condition of the injectors was reported as being very poor and only just salvageable. The engine was difficult to start and ran poorly after the service.

So maybe a case of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"

 

[rob2]

Although I am guilty of not having done it (yet) it may be worthwhile to check the valve clearances. If they tighten up, the faces will burn and you'll lose compression. Hopefully it'll only be a check, but it helps to put your mind at rest.

Rob.

 

[William_H]

Fuel tank

Perhaps not regarded as engine but you should check the fuel tank for water in the bottom and any signs of bacteria. Water checks should be quite often. olewill

 

[lukecsmith]

Hmm yes water in the fuel tank - Im just wondering what the easiest way of doing that is? Do you disconnect the pipe that goes from tank to up to, then investigate through there? And where does the water appear- in the very bottom of the tank or on the fuel surface? Tips appreciated ta.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Hmm yes water in the fuel tank - Im just wondering what the easiest way of doing that is? Do you disconnect the pipe that goes from tank to up to, then investigate through there? And where does the water appear- in the very bottom of the tank or on the fuel surface? Tips appreciated ta.

Oil is less dense than water - the water will therefore be at the bottom. If your tank has a bottom drawoff, the water will appear in your primary filter/seperator and can be drawn off from there. If you are having to drain water frequently, it would be worth emptying the tank and cleaning it out (not easy usually).

 

[Heckler]

I asked the local pump and injector people if I should have the injectors overhauled, on my 6 cyl Ford mermaid Dover, 8000 hours. They said if it starts and runs cleanly, don't, it may only cause trouble. Bear in mind they were giving up the prospect of getting the job.

I have worked most of my life with diesels, spent many years in Africa and the Middle east. Africa, we had a 3 month supply line. I used to buy an injector as a spare for each engine, just in case. We had frog eye Toyotas, they did 160,00 miles before the bodies and chassis fell apart, NEVER touched the injectors, Landies the same. Detroit diesels the same, Caterpillar gennies had some broken injector pump springs thats all. We had lousy diesel, pumped through hoses that pumped water off the supply boats, Basically, change the filters REGULARLY and youshould have no probs.
Stu

 

[lukecsmith]

Oil is less dense than water - the water will therefore be at the bottom. If your tank has a bottom drawoff, the water will appear in your primary filter/seperator and can be drawn off from there. If you are having to drain water frequently, it would be worth emptying the tank and cleaning it out (not easy usually).

Oh yes of course. Thats the why the filter is clear eh. I'd forgotten about that. I'll be sure to be checking it regularly, thanks.

 

[prv]

Timing belt change and tension check only applies if your engine has one; lots have chains which require no attention on a regular basis.

Pretty sure the typical small Yanmar has gears, which ought to be even more foolproof.

Pete

 

[Skylark]

My advice would be to read the manufactures recommeded service routine for the age and/or hours run. Another big vote for "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"

Easy starting, smooth running and exhaust gas colour under load are pretty good indicators to general health.