What to do next

[Creekster]

Am new to having inboard diesel this year. My boat has been in water on pontoon (east coast) over winter with tube heater and engine runs every week or so (Yanmar 2GM20 raw water cooled). Am ready to lift out and start some preps/repairs for 6-8 weeks. How far should I go now with the winterising process, and when would be best to sort the engine service?

 

[tillergirl]

You seem to have been missed!

I 'lay-up' my boat at the beginning of November and that includes an oil and oil filter change and I flush the raw water passages of the engine with fresh water and then fill them with a fresh water/anti-freeze mix. I then leave the engine untouched during the winter and in the spring change the impellor and two fuel filters. On lay-up I check that everything is tight and in good nick - hoses etc. I think the general advice is that short term winter runs are not really very good for the engine - doesn't really get up to a working temp etc while leaving a properly winterised engine doesn't come to harm being left over the winter. Note I don't have a turbo on my engine so I can't comment on whether they 'need' anything.

 

[sarabande]

I agree that short runs for diesels are not in the best interests of the engine. Bringing it up to working temp for say 10 mins - preferably against a load - is better.

Changing oil depends, pragmatically, on how many hours since the last service. You could get away with a service every couple of years for low hours.

On lift out, just ensure that all sea water is drained, and that you have a quick flush with fresh, then drain again. All fresh water lines should be drained as well, including the pumps, to prevent freezing.

 

[awol]

Run it up to normal temperature then change oil and oil filter; change anode; flush cooling system with fresh water (seawater inlet pipe into a bucket) then with anti-freeze mixture until blue comes out exhaust; loosen fanbelt(s); change fuel filters (and worry about tank if excessively gunged); put rags into air inlet and exhaust pipe (I once had sparrows trying to nest in mine!); procure another set of filters, fanbelt, impeller, anode before you forget; check (or change) gearbox oil; remember you have still to bleed fuel system before engine will restart and check/replace impeller and fanbelt.

I think that's about it but I may have forgotten something.

 

[mtb]

Run it up to normal temperature then change oil and oil filter; change anode; flush cooling system with fresh water (seawater inlet pipe into a bucket) then with anti-freeze mixture until blue comes out exhaust; loosen fanbelt(s); change fuel filters (and worry about tank if excessively gunged); put rags into air inlet and exhaust pipe (I once had sparrows trying to nest in mine!); procure another set of filters, fanbelt, impeller, anode before you forget; check (or change) gearbox oil; remember you have still to bleed fuel system before engine will restart and check/replace impeller and fanbelt.

I think that's about it but I may have forgotten something.

Yeah you did, have a nice cup of tea while cleaning the tools

mick