Maintenance
Basic engine care
The following basic points, if adhered to, will ensure long engine life. The most
critical period in the life of a marine
diesel
engine is the first 20 - 30 running hours.
If in any doubt, the engine manufacturer's manual should be referred to.
1 Do not start an engine unless you are sure:
• Engine oil level is satisfactory.
• Gearbox oil level is satisfactory.
• Coolant level is satisfactory (Heat exchanger cooled engines only).
• Throttle set correctly - OUT OF GEAR.
• Fuel stopcock turned on.
• Fuel is free from contamination.
• Water inlet seacock is turned on.
2 Immediately after starting, check:
• Oil pressure warning light extinguished.
• Charging light extinguished (or ammeter reading satisfactory).
• Water emission from exhaust.
3 Avoid high revs.
4 Allow engine revs to decrease to idle before changing gear.
5 Do not allow engine to run at a low idle for long periods (associated with the
production of black noxious fumes).
6 During running, check any instrumentation, ie, water temperature gauge, oil
pressure warning light, etc.
7 Prior to stopping engine allow to idle for a few minutes with the gear lever in
neutral.
8 After stopping engine return
'STOP'
control to the
'Run'
position.
Page 4.10 Issue 3