Items for an engine service and spares

ashtead

ashtead

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Does anyone know of a list of spares and service items for a Volvo diesel ? I was thinking of stocking up on a few bits but I wanted to know what might be useful for a particular engine to order from key part or suchlike. Apologies if it sounds stupid question but for channel use only not planning a trip to Azores or such like. I guess the ARC has a list for cross Atlantic boats?
 
I routinely carry a spare set of belts, 2 spin on fuel filters, 2 Racor filters, 2 impellers, engine oil, gearbox oil and coolant. Also stern gland grease, electric cabling and other bits along with plenty of tools. Any repairs requiring more than this would (for me at least) not be possible at sea.

And 5 litres of distilled water for topping up batteries.
 
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As above. I might add - airfilter.

Depends on the age of the engine but Morse cables might be handy. In 20 years we have had one break, so it depends on engine age and usage. We cobbled together a system with string and some dinghy blocks. We now carry one spare (which would replace either throttle or gears). Engine stop is another but its easy to do manually. Eventually you will need the mechanical seals for the sea water pump, they are small and relatively cheap, you need 2

The older the engine the greater likelihood of needing any other spares. Maybe you should define the engine.

The other consumable would be anodes.

Jonathan
 
I do have a small container of oil but have ever needed it.
Old removed belts may be kept as emergency spares. I do find the Volvo Petna belts to be long lived.
Removed Impellers also may be retained to get you home if required.
Filters - best to buy a few at at a time to make the most of mail order charges , or buy when you see a good price .
 
Jamie Dundee said:
I routinely carry a spare set of belts, 2 spin on fuel filters, 2 Racor filters, 2 impellers, engine oil, gearbox oil and coolant. Also stern gland grease, electric cabling and other bits along with plenty of tools. Any repairs requiring more than this would (for me at least) not be possible at sea.

And 5 litres of distilled water for topping up batteries.
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Hadn't thought of the wires and distilled water, but in a pinch I have had to top up car batteries by boiling some tap water and letting it cool.
 
Spirit (of Glenans) said:
Hadn't thought of the wires and distilled water, but in a pinch I have had to top up car batteries by boiling some tap water and letting it cool.
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Why would you use cooled boiled water?

Is this not even further from being distilled then straight tap water..(albeit only marginally so) genuine question not trying to have a go..

For old engines I'd also have a spare lift pump if it was reasonablly easy to change...

For old Indentor based engines (Volvo Penta md21b) many spares available from French or German suppliers to the classic car market or even from tractor parts suppliers .
 
Also a box of blade fuses, wire connectors and crimpers and a multimeter. Not having the option of sails concentrates the mind a bit…
 
Where do you stop? Get-you-going spares, certainly.

I had a friend with a Vauxhall Cresta who carried a spare cylinder head (6 cylinder engine) in the boot!
 
If coastal cruising close to ports, then you don't need much - plenty of fuel filters is a good idea, an impeller or two, a belt or two, oils & coolant and an oil filter should do most - anything worse should be able to either catch before you leave or apply a temporary fix until you can make it to the next port.

For longer term cruising, or areas that do not have great support then the list would grow accordingly, but you would also need to have the requisite engineering ability.

The reality is that, in most common cruising grounds around the world, the major engine manufacturers are well represented so you shouldn't need to tie up too much capital or space with a huge bunch of spares.
 
I carry two lengths of fuel hose with a primer bulb attached to the middle of one. Only a few pounds from a motor factors. If you break down from a tank blockage or contaminated fuel you can quickly get going again by dunking the fuel lines (one for feed, the other for the return) into a container of spare fuel.
The primer bulb can also get the engine running if the lift pump fails, but you will need a crewmember to continually pump the bulb. Their fingers will get sore but if only to get you into harbour or a bit of sea room.......
 
The only item that I have ever been caught out by when channel cruising is the glow plug relay. In 17 years I have had 3. They are only about £ 11-00 & I now carry a spare. On the MD 2020 it is the same as the starter relay.
I have had quite a lot of impellers so have 4 or 5 on board.I have some gasket compound for the pump cover to stop the leaks as i never have any luck with the paper gaskets. I carry fuel additive because I once got hit by diesel bug
then there is a spare belt & 3 sets of spare fuel filters & one oil filter. I always have a litre of oil but cannot recall ever having to top up mid season even after 5000 hours.
A good set of tools plus some jubilee clips, wire, fuses, electrical terminals & multimeter is very important, as suggested above
 
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