RYA Diesel Engine Course

[newtosailing]

Hi, I am about to enrol on a 1 day RYA diesel engine course and I would welcome any views from others that have been on such a course and whether it is worthwhile (assume zero knowledge) and more specifically whether anyone has used either CapitalSailing or FirstClassSailing for said course (as ideally I would like to do the course in London)
thanks

 

[tome]

My wife did the course, but not with either of the schools you mention. She's quite happy doing an oil change and makes less mess than I do!

It covers the basics, and you should be able to carry out rudimentary servicing.

 

[colvic987]

If you have zero knowledge then the course would be ideal, it will inform you on servicing items, oil filter and air filter, water pump impeller, where these items are situated and plenty more.
well worth it, if non mechanical minded.

 

[Guest]

Glad to hear it!

Ive signed up to the course, had doubts about paying over if it wasn't worth it, but by the sound of it, it will be very valuable, seeing as my mechanical experience extends to changing the oil once and watching my dad changing the fuel filters a couple times! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[fdmarsden]

I think that the course is well worth doing, emphasising the importance of oil and fuel filters, and how to service them.

However I have one reservation; they tell you to remove the injectors every winter.

Unless you are a skilled mechanic and have the right tools, which for some engines are special ones, don't even think about it.

Typical injectors should last a least 5000hrs before servicing is needed, evough to take my engine use into the next century

 

[Rooster]

I did the course two weeks ago. It's fairly basic but covers the common causes of breakdown, and more importantly what to look for to fix them. Works through fuel system from tank to engine discussing filters, bleeding etc. Well worth attending.

 

[AliM]

worth attending if only because it gives you confidence to do the oil changes etc, and helps you think logically if the engine conks out (rather than the usual panic response). We weren't told to remove the injectors - leave them alone, was the message I got!

 

[peteandthira]

Sounds like the same as I got from my friendly engineer who came to service my engine recently. He showed me all that and also said leave the injectors alone. Cost me about 30 quid including the "course". And it was on my own engine!

Pops

 

[andy_wilson]

Injector fear.

No point in being timid about taking an injector out. We removed them on the (fully working) course engine. Fitted them in reverse on the unions an witnessed a good puff of diesel mist from a good injector, and then a half dribble half squirt from a faulty one.

Then we put it all together again and made it work.

 

[tarik]

Hi,

I too would like to go on one of these courses - where are you doing yours? Are there any course held in London or Kent?

Regards


David

 

[rodwhite]

rya diesel course is next weekend at hoylake liverpool -out board man till now,i will pass on my views of course a.s.a.p.

 

[Claverock]

I did a one day course several years ago and found it to be very useful if basic. It was run by our local Adult education Centre - a good source of this type of course and was well worth the cost.

Good luck.

 

[nigelhudson]

Although the course syllabus is standard it is delivered in different ways according to the equipment that the school possesses. If you go for a school that is heavy on theory and light on the practical then you are not going to gain much more than reading a book and browsing this forum. If you choose a school with a good workshop and a running engine (especially if it's a similar model to your own) then you are going to get your money's worth.
I certainly found it beneficial to pull apart an engine on the test bench before I tackled my own in the boat.

 

[peteandthira]

Hoylake is very professional - I did my CS theory there and they organised my practical and exam with their sister school in the Menai Straits.

Pops

 

[Cactus]

Is there a lot of practical work on this course, or is it all theory?

 

[newtosailing]

Thanks for all the replies. David (burcote) re: courses in london - the two companies I mentioned in my original posting run courses fairly frequently - do a google search and you should find the relevant websites.

thanks

 

[whisper]

Both theory and practical is taught though the proportion of each will depend on the facilities at the venue. You usually get to poke around on a mechanical lump of some sort.
I found it very useful but have now forgotten what I learned /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif