Engine service: what really needs doing?

[chubby]

My vetus 42 hp engine runs perfectly and has just done 1000 hours. Previously servicing has been by the yard has been regular replacement of oil and filters, impellor and coolant, all of which I could do myself as the yard isn`t doing servicing this year. Should I be doing servicing of the injectors and checking the valve clearances which I am not comfortable doing myself? opinions vary from yes to leave it if the engine is running fine but just change the oil and filters regularly. Advice please.

 

[sailorman]

My vetus 42 hp engine runs perfectly and has just done 1000 hours. Previously servicing has been by the yard has been regular replacement of oil and filters, impellor and coolant, all of which I could do myself as the yard isn`t doing servicing this year. Should I be doing servicing of the injectors and checking the valve clearances which I am not comfortable doing myself? opinions vary from yes to leave it if the engine is running fine but just change the oil and filters regularly. Advice please.

do the normal things.
valves ect as the service manual dont, attempt if your unsure. get an engineer to check them

 

[Twister_Ken]

Don't touch the injectors. Should be labelled "not for amateurs".

Is there anode? If so, change it.

When were the water pump seals last checked? Worth checking and maybe changing on a preventative maintenance basis.

Take a careful look at the exhaust elbow. Does it need cleaning, or maybe even replacing?

If freshwater cooled have you looked at the heat exchanger matrix? It might need cleaning.

Is anti-freeze up to strength?

What's the condition of the alternator drive belt (and any other drive belts)? Do they need tensioning or replacing?

Is there any surface corrosion to be cleaned up and repainted?

Block the exhaust outlet and the air inlet if you're leaving it out of commission during the winter.

Top up the diesel tank to brim-full to avoid condensation forming, and pooling under the diesel.

 

[PaulJS]

Don't touch the injectors. Should be labelled "not for amateurs".

Is there anode? If so, change it.

When were the water pump seals last checked? Worth checking and maybe changing on a preventative maintenance basis.

Take a careful look at the exhaust elbow. Does it need cleaning, or maybe even replacing?

If freshwater cooled have you looked at the heat exchanger matrix? It might need cleaning.

Is anti-freeze up to strength?

What's the condition of the alternator drive belt (and any other drive belts)? Do they need tensioning or replacing?

Is there any surface corrosion to be cleaned up and repainted?

Block the exhaust outlet and the air inlet if you're leaving it out of commission during the winter.

Top up the diesel tank to brim-full to avoid condensation forming, and pooling under the diesel.

This is just about a perfect summation, all I can add is to check any hoses, flexible mounts, flexible coupling, check valve clearances if you are confident, and have a quick "spanner parade" to check that all fastenings etc. are tight.

 

[Malish]

Don't touch the injectors is a touch ott - I would suggest it should read treat them with care and do not disassemble or attempt to test yourself. Removal from the engine and taking them to a decent diesel system engineer is pretty straight forward. Just remember that although they may look pretty cruddy it is essential that you keep debris out of the fuel orifices and protect the injector tip from any knocks.

 

[rivonia]

This is just about a perfect summation, all I can add is to check any hoses, flexible mounts, flexible coupling, check valve clearances if you are confident, and have a quick "spanner parade" to check that all fastenings etc. are tight.

Good advice BUT be careful on 'the spanner parade' as the amateurs usually OVERTIGHTEN.

Peter

 

[tobble]

all of the above sounds good, but just top amek explicit a couple of points that might be over looked:
Filters - don't forget the air filter, and both primary and secondary fuel filters.
Don't forget to check/change the gear box oil
some (including workshop manuals) advocate changing the impeller, but you probably knew that one.

Valve clearances aren't hard if you have feeler guages and patience.

 

[vyv_cox]

It is extremely rare for injectors to need any attention.

Once tappets are set correctly it could be worth checking them, which will give you confidence in setting them yourself in future. You will almost certainly find another owner who will give you a hand to do this. Mine have not changed in 1000 hours now, so it's not something that needs frequent attention.

Otherwise follow the advice of your engine manual as to what needs doing. Other posters have given good advice.

 

[chubby]

engine servicing

Thanks for the advice, most of the things mentioned I would do but it was things that involved what I would call engine dismantling such as removing the injectors or fiddling with the tappets that I was uncertain about, all the rest is good advice, thanks. I think if you go round doing the "spanner parade" you become familiar with the engine wheras it is tempting just to hand over to the professionals and whilst you can have some confidence in it being professionally serviced you can loose familiarity with the engine.