haynes car manual - marine equivalent ?

bobgosling

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Is there an equivalent to Haynes Car Manuals for marine diesel engines ? I would like a handbook specifically for the Beta 20hp engine in my boat rather than a generic diesel engine book. The Beta marine web site doesn't have any documentation for download which I find quite odd ( and have complained about ).
 
Agreed! I've been looking for a Beta 10 manual for some time without success. Speaking to Beta on the phone they seemed to imply that they didn't have any available for general circulation. Strange, as otherwise they are so very helpful on the phone.
 
For the life of me I cannot understand this. I have a Beta 10, & the manual is very comprehensive. When I recently queried the fact that the Engine manual said to use Oil in the gearbox, & the gearbox manual said to use ATF, they immediately told me the correct answer (ATF) and sent me a new manual FOC.
They do not have them available to download, but for sure will sell you a hard copy.
 
Hi Mike,

Is your manual a proper workshop manual, which is what I think Bob is after. The Bukh's (my engine) basic 'manual' gives all sorts of info, but if you've got to strip it down to it's barest essentials, it's useless. My 'proper' workshop manual has a typical 'Haynes' feel to it, with photos and step by step instructions.

It enables me to carry out ANY work on my engine with, if not total competence, at least a fair amount of confidence!!

Could it be that Beta are not happy to allow this sort of info to be in general circulation 'cos their service agents might be offended? Perish the thought, but if your manual isn't of the workshop variety, will they/can they supply one?

Cheers Jerry
 
FWIW I've got a Haynes manual called "Sailing Rigs and spars". Published in 1990, it's really quite good. They may have published some other titles, though I've not seen any.

With regards the Beta engine AFAIK it's a marinised Japanese engine (Kubato?). Maybe a workshop manual is available for that. Just a thought.
 
The "these people" link gave a wonderful selection of Marine Diesel engines but sadly not for Beta. Thanks anyway. I'll either replace the engine with a Yanmar or 'phone Beta ......

/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Hi Jerry,

Guess you are right, it is not the full strip down jobbie, just the users manual. Agree that maybe they don't publish one to keep onside with dealers/agents. However I shall call them later & find out. Not that I have any intention of doing a strip down, the engine only has about 25 hours on it, but just out of idle curiosity!
Reverting if I get any useful info.

Cheers
Mike
 
Isdn't it a bit strange to pay thousands for an engine and then not be given a manual ? OK so you don't get a 'Haynes' with your new car .... but thats a different kettle of fish - we are talking just an engine here - not a collection of body, trim, electrics, engine etc.

In fact the first engine co. to provide a service / works manual along with good price will probably be applauded .....
 
Dave
I have the Yanmar Operation Manual for my 1GM10 - but it doesn't give much detail re: servicing the engine. Does the user manual go into greater step by step detail on it?
Frank
 
The manual from workshopmanuals.co.uk costs ten quid for a pdf (I got a CD mailed reather than downloaded) and runs to about 200 or 300 pages, although the first chapter is a generic "tools and techniques" one. It is reasonably detailed but didn't actually help me get my gearbox off in the end, as it has a few Haynes-like phrases. i.e. "undo the retaining nuts and seperate the two components" when it should say "spray liberally with WD40 and bash with a bloody great hammer" I have to confess I've not read it in detail yet, but it does, for instance tell you how to strip down and reassemble the gearbox, as well as the difference between the gearbox types etc.
 
hi,
I found this too, when I wanted to work on a bv1505. It is a bit os a strange arangment not to have the information avalible on the net. In the end I called Beta. They sent me foc the hand book and gearbox manal. This contained the operators information, which is great for day to day information. But if you ask (i did) them they have a full range of manuals with you can by. They cover all the engines they sell. These seem to be a kubota workshop manual, and there for need a hand book to cover the parts they fitted.
 
Can I encourage you to either scan the manuals or send a copy of them to Engine Manuals. I can't remember his name, but he will scan them for you if you haven't the time or facilities. Eventually we will have a comprehensive source for most boat engines. Its already pretty good, but I note that your manuals are some of the missing ones!! A great site that needs supporting.
 
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