Engine maintenance - beyond the routine

[Rigger]

I have a Yanmar 3GM30F which was fitted in 1990. At a rough guess I reckon it has done about 4000 hours. It starts easily and runs smoothly with clean exhaust,and no obvious vibration.
At least annually I change the oil,oil filters and diesel filters. I tend to fit a new impellor every year or so. I check the exhaust elbow every couple of years and change fan belts as and when appropriate. I look for leakage from the water pipes and replace if necessary. Gear box oil gets changed every year or so as does freshwater & coolant.
I have not changed the mountings but they appear on inspection to be OK and as i say the engine runs without vibration.
I also check the fuel tank regularly to ensure maintaing clean fuel.
Next year I intend to do some more extensive remote cruising and am keen that the engine continues to function well.
Can anyone suggest any further checks/maintenance procedures I need to do, or is it a case of if it aint broke don't fix it??

 

[TQA]

Your good.

It ain't broke so don't fix it.

 

[rob2]

You're probably already doing more maintenance than a "professional" engineer would do for his annual fee! There is a schedule in the workshop manual which goes into realms most of us never reach, such as servicing the injector pump and injectors. If you don't have a copy, I believe it can be downoaded from motoren.ath.cx. Hopefully such long-term items aren't needed in your case, but if you want ultimate reliability next season, then servicing the injection system and replacing all the fuel lines eliminates many possible causes of failure. Of course, the service must be done by a diesel shop as it requires specialised equipment to set everything correctly and is not risk free at the pressures achieved (fuel can be blown clean through your skin)!

I would also completely strip out and clean the heat exchanger whilst you're in the mood.

Rob.

 

[Ruffles]

Every 'n' years or so I get a mechanic to look at our engine. Though I do all the maintenance myself I figure I'm unlikely to spot any slow deterioration. If the boat is easy to get to it may only cost you £50.

You could get them to adjust the tappets. Do the injectors need doing at 4000 hours?

 

[KenMcCulloch]

I think you are doing all the right things. The only addition I would suggest would be to checj and adjust valve clearances every few hundred hours.

 

[Caer Urfa]

I spent a month last year wondering why the engine was poor in starting and checked all the usual battery electrics.

But never thougth about the starter motor, took it off and got checked and re conditioned and problem instantly solved.

Now I will remove the starter motor and alternator every two years and get them checked!

Also if you have a rubber stern gland check it, if it bursts you have one big problem like possibly sinking!!

Mike

 

[jerrytug]

Engine anodes on that model?

 

[Simondjuk]

+1 on the valve clearances.

 

[VicMallows]

The only addition I would suggest would be to checj and adjust valve clearances every few hundred hours.

If they need adjusting every few hundred hours I would be thinking something was seriously wrong! (probably with the way they were being adjusted).

 

[William_H]

I imagine the engine will be quite reliable. But the ancillaries may not. Remove the alternator and check bearings and slip rings. Check length of brushes. Check condition of wirng and terminals. As said check the commutator and brushes of the starter. Check pinion for corrosion. good luck olewill

 

[keensailor]

- as mentioned diesel pump and injector service
- have fuel tank emptied and steam cleaned, replace all fuel hoses filters
- de-scale the water cooling and replace hoses
- service started motor and alternator