how much should I know?

[gjgm]

went for a spin yesterday evening> boats been serviced (5.0i l petrol), and been run maybe 5 hours since the service. Just refueled, and we d been runing about 30 minutes, pottering alot at about 30 knts, the the engine stops. Just stops;not splutters and dies, mind you. About half a mile outside Langstone harbour. Hmm.. open the hatch after a quick sniff to be sure. Main trip fuse seems ok. Check all the trip fuses at the helm; all ok. In fact, seems to be electric power everywhere except the engine. First thought is, well at least the radio is working (followed by.. er have we got the mobile, just in case).
Now, I m sure there are those who can rebuild an engine at sea with nothing more than a nail file if needed, but what I wondered at the time was, how much "engine fixing" ought I be able to do, because I confess thinking.. crickey,what do I do with a modern petrol fuel injected engine with no electrics?
Just how much can,and should people, be able to fix themselves afloat?

 

[steverow]

Although it's difficult for many, I beleive that one should learn as much as possible...with the eventual target of being self reliant (If need be) for most common engine issues.
It's a learning curve...but as a minimum, anyone who puts to sea *should* be able to change an impeller, fan belt, fuel filters, and be able to bleed the system and sort out common fuel problems, and as important..carry the spares and tools to do it.
Ditto...for common minor electrical problems of battery charging...terminals/fuses etc.
It's all down to knowing your boat thoroughly.

Sure, a lot of us pay someone else to service our boats..but that's not a substitute for the Skipper having the knowledge to sort out the odd crisis.

Maybe an engine maintenance course would be the answer?

Steve.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

I trust you are not still out there waiting for a forumite to give you an online tutorial so that you can learn enough to fix it? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[jhr]

I wonder about this myself, because my knowledge of engines is limited enough on land, never mind at sea.

This subject has arisen before, but I'll raise it again: why are there no petrol engine courses aimed at moboers? Having given it some thought, I've come to the conclusion that, whilst you can teach someone to change an impeller (but I and - probably - you have a Mercruiser outdrive and changing the impeller involves a lift-out), change filters and fan belt (but I've got one of those "get-you-home-snap-off-to-fit" ones) and replace a fuse, there's not much else you can do to get a modern efi engine going, other than call Sea Start.

With diesels, you can (usually) change the impeller, clear crud out of your filters, re-prime the engine and all sorts of other exciting things so there is more scope for amateur get-you-home bodging, hence more purpose to education.

I'd still like a marine petrol engine course, though. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

PS: What did the problem turn out to be in the end, Gavin?

 

[BrendanS]

I've given this some thought as well. There are no courses. Can we pay Col to do a specific course for us one weekend?

 

[jhr]

I'd certainly be up for it, Brendan.

 

[BrendanS]

Col?

???

 

[gjgm]

re a course-me too. I did ask RNLI if they had any suggestions (as it might save them some call outs) but they didnt seem interested.
As it happened, it was pretty calm and we werent drifting too much;was about 5m depth so I didnt think I d needed to call straight away. But I can see in smaller and if rolling boat, its going to get damn difficult to do much, in fact. Well, since the batteries seemed ok, and all fuse/trips were ok,and I knew I had fuel.... thought of that handbook " petrol engines need air, fuel and electrical power." Right. I ve got a couple of those anyway...Peering into the hatch began to be a bit pointless after about two minutes, coz I couldnt think of anything else to look at. Big lump of black metal with 000's of cables.Main wiring board didnt look as though it had just been on fire, so I tried wiggling the (key)ignition switch cables, as I concluded it was the only thing between the batteries and the engine. And on came the helm,and off we went. Well, the misses said, "I think we might head in now", which was one of her stricter instructions that arent even worth a hesitation.
But, I did realise that it was alarmingly quick to become pretty helpless, and if no power means did mean no radio...

 

[jcmmarine]

I was marine diesel mechanic years ago (before they took away my tools and gave me a desk and pen, bad swap) but would still not dream of going to sea without two engines.

However

Now sort of retired and, though I spend as much time as wife allows away on boat, if you in Gosport area and would like me to go through engine checks and routine servicing with you, try catching me on my PM.
Please note though, I'm fine on older traditional diesels but modern electronic and computer control systems came in after my time. That rules out all you gin palace boaters who can afford your own mechanic, I just like to help out other who, like me, boat on a budget, but I do like a glass or two afterwards.

 

[Solitaire]

Join Seastart, and get a tow home! Trouble is now though the engines are becoming more and more technical that unless you're carrying a laptop with the right software you'll not be able to do anything! Spare impellers, fuel filters and the odd fuse may do it, but I'd hate to deal with the new common rail diesels. As for modern outboards.............................

 

[Strake]

An in-depth dissertation on the mechanical propensities of the combustion engine follows:













Suck - Squeeze - Bang - Blow......

Experience tend to suggest that most problems occur in the sucking and banging phase.......