Service items for inboard diesel engine?

[deepsix]

Good afternoon all,

New to the forum and I will start with a question. I have just bought a used motorboat which has an inboard diesel engine. We had the boat surveyed and all was in order. My previous boating experience is mainly with sailing boats and ribs with outboard engines.

Given my lack of experience with diesel engines, I will be attending a course in March to learn the maintenance and trouble shooting basics before we get out on the water.

I would like to get the engine professionally serviced before we start using the boat. What items should I specify be done? I would rather do too much than too little as, based on my previous experience, I reckon it is better to keep things in good order rather than ignore them until they fail/ break/ give up. So, where should I start with an inboard diesel and shaft drive set up? E.g. Belts, filters, pumps? Any suggestions of a list to get a quote for would be very welcome.

Cheers, Marcus.

 

[Momac]

If you could say make/model of engine it might attract a rely from someone with the same engine

but minimum would be
oil and filter
fuel filters
raw water impeller
air filter (if fitted)

 

[CLB]

Belts
Crankcase filter
Tappets (if manually adjusted)
Gearbox oil
Stern gland
Cutless bearing

 

[deepsix]

Many thanks. Volvo 2003T, 43hp. Any thoughts on an approx. price?

 

[Momac]

My engines are 170hp so not directly comparable but much the same basic procedure. Just a week ago I had both engines serviced and included replacing seals on one water pump which probably consumed a good extra hour. Total labour was £290+vat and parts/oil about the same again. Tappets adjustment and belts not required this time. My boat is in a marina with good access - parking a the end of the pontoon.
So I would say in your case say a budget of £150 to £200+vat for labour assuming you don't keep the boat on some remote inaccessible place.
I you ask keypart they will send you a full service parts list with prices. But your engineer may prefer if he supplies the parts and oil. I have paid £45+vat for oil (for two engines).
http://www.keypart.com/volvo-penta/diesel-engine/2003t/19861993
.

.

 

[Jim@sea]

Good afternoon all,

Given my lack of experience with diesel engines, I will be attending a course in March to learn the maintenance and trouble shooting basics before we get out on the water.

Cheers, Marcus.

With respect I would do it another way. In my case although I had a Garage for over 20 years and was familiar with diesels, the cooling system where water is drawn in from the sea instead of using a radiator was new to me so I also went on a RYA Diesel Course, and I was disappointed, although I learnt what I needed to, I felt that the instructor should have shown the class how to bleed the injectors, although it may vary from one instructor to another.

If I was you I would arrange to have your engine professionally serviced and say to the mechanic before he starts that you want him to show you more than just having the engine serviced in that would he show you how to "bleed" the injectors, change an alternator belt, fit a new Impeller etc. etc. The point is that although a Diesel course covers all engines, at this moment in time you only need to know about your specific engine, and what to do.

In my area there is a Mobile Mechanic who charges £35 an hour, If I was a novice I would have him for perhaps 3 hours to do instruction on the engine in my boat, whilst servicing it, and having spent £105 you would know far more about your engine than you would learn on an RYA course. But you would not get a Certificate.

You should also practice replacing the Impeller as when they do go its usually at sea and you need to know how to do it quickly. Also practice replacing filters and bleeding the injectors. Often the 6 or 8m Bleed Screws on the side of the Lift Pump are difficult to get to and knowing the right socket and ratchet to use is extremely useful.

Familiarity with your engine is very useful knowlege.

Again with my engine I had the Mechanic remove all the injectors and I sent them away for servicing, one was faulty. Also he did a compression test, even if you have a Survey when buying a boat the survey does not include a Compression Test.

Good Luck.

 

[PCUK]

Personally I'd do the course then service the engine myself while the knowledge is fresh. I keep a complete raw water pump as a spare as it is generally far quicker to change a complete pump than just the impeller. The old pump can then have a new impeller fitted at your leisure and given a general check over at the same time.