How to maintain small boat Engines | and what you need to know to fix them

[@johnhayford5946]

D2-55 owner here. After a few bad experiences I now work on a preventative maintenance system. Number one is flush the seawater out of the system after every sail. To simplify this job I filled a flushing line to the SW inlet, with a small mixer tank to mix in sea water flushing tables and antifreeze in the winter. This sort of flushing system is fairly normal on US boats maybe as they have more bugs in the water. VP has an optional flushing kit, but at a VP price. Second, I fitted a strainer downstream of the raw seawater pump to catch any bits of impeller that will break off at some point and clog the heat exchanger. Again normal to see on larger marine diesels. Third, I fitted a diesel day tank with a water separator/filter and strainer. Fuel is pumped automatically from the main tank to the day tank and the filter/separator is fitted with a water alarm and back-pressure alarm for good measure. It doubles as a fuel polisher and filter bleed system. Fourth, I fitted a temperature monitor/alarm on the exhaust just down from the mixer., again also a VP option.

[@confidencesailing]

Thanks for the comprehensive reply. Interesting stuff.

[@Koujujutsu]

Thanks so much for the wealth of info and resources! This will be/has been a big help.

[@madbrowndog4887]

Some wise words in your intro. A lesson I learned the hard way - Boats are not like modern Cars. More like the old bombs I had when I was young. If you just jump in and go, without checking everything first, sooner or later you will regret it. Upside of my experience is that after replacing my boat's engine, I am now intimately familiar with my new engine and peripheral systems. The wallet is a lot lighter, but I'm much more confident and methodical about everything I do on the boat.

[@confidencesailing]

Thanks for the comments, and good luck with the new engine.

[@bigredinfinity3126]

I love my d 1 30 its a perkins block with volvo marinising it the 115 am alternator is great for charging and uses only about 2 liters a hour cruising great piece of kit

[@confidencesailing]

Big fan of it myself. Thanks for watching

[@dees9502]

Well done, my friend. Thanks for the excellent video from FLA USA 🇺🇸 🇬🇧

[@confidencesailing]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@HarryJVaughn3]

Nicely done! Clear and concise.

[@confidencesailing]

Thank you - and thanks for watching

[@jport3707]

I have the same engine. This is an amazing video. Full of tips. Thanks so much

[@confidencesailing]

Glad you liked it.

[@philgibson4856]

Good video im in Cairns Australia we were shut down by diesel bug 8 miles out my first episode with this anyway it blocked the whole engine I didn't have a clue why the motor stopped but when we got back to shore the bug itself was huge , you can but expensive but lifesaving fix . Was happy to sail back to Marina then a short tow and all good. Phil Gibson Yorkeys Knob Cairns

[@confidencesailing]

That's a sad story Phil. Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching

[@Guus]

This video is super well made thank you lots!

[@confidencesailing]

Glad you liked it!

[@24hourtravellers]

You're videos are such good quality. We have the same engine and will reference your videos for our learning. Thank you.

[@confidencesailing]

Thank you very much! It's really appreciated

[@24hourtravellers]

@@confidencesailing how's your boat life coming along? We finally bought our first sailboat and are on the hardstand in Malaysia, we will need to service our Volvo soon. Now studying stage n doing other jobs first. Thank you again for the time you take to make quality videos with good graphic.

[@hellodarren]

Thanks for the advice, I haven't pulled the trigger on a boat yet but your tutorials are helping get me prepared!

[@confidencesailing]

You’re welcome. Good luck with the boat when you get it

[@hellodarren]

@@confidencesailing thanks very much!

[@bryllupsfotofilm]

Hi there! My Volvo Penta 5D doesn't have a coolant or sea water strainer. The previous owner mentioned that the cooling system has been modified to a freshwater setup, so I don't need to do anything. Is that true?

[@olehansen6655]

Hi i have a md2010 engine and on the exhaust manifold called the knee , are there supposed to be a hole down to the exhaust, if u know what i Mean

[@DrewsSoloWorldSail]

Have you done any maintenace on the transmissio n (ms10l-b?). I've been experiencing trouble getting into gear (intermittent) and there is little in the way of documentation in the standard volvo canon. However, I drained my tranmission fluid and it was black and rancid. Any tips?

[@tamar5261]

Brilliant thanks just what I need for my Perkins M30...were you the guy that flew out and helped that young couple with their engine?

[@confidencesailing]

Thanks for watching - but no that hero wasn't me.

[@gonzosierra1]

Great job

[@confidencesailing]

Thanks

[@ice2642]

Good video. In you opinion, what is the best engine, volvo penta d2-60 or beta marine 60?

[@confidencesailing]

I don't have an opinion on which engine model might be the best. Too many variables. Plus I know every engine is unique... One might go forever without ever failing and exactly the same make and model might give you no end of trouble. Certainly simpler engines are easier to keep going with a good maintenance regime, but modern engines have efficiency, reduced size and noise in their favour

[@confidencesailing]

And thanks for watching

[@TheProfitlich]

Realy good video. But maybe I am a little damaged by working with medical machines. But Empty the old diesel filer incl the debris it have filtered out, in to the new filter😮

[@confidencesailing]

Very fair point. It would be more sensible to fill it up with clean fuel.

[@exclusivesafar]

Good job 👌👍

[@confidencesailing]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@SailingAnja]

I have a Volvo engine but its hard to mix the anti freeze with all the seawater though ;)

[@confidencesailing]

Pour from the bow under way and the antifreeze gets sucked into the seawater intake. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jamesaleando2529]

It's like taking health and safety advice off a bloke with no fingers. Trend analysis . Would be a good start. And read the yacht code

[@confidencesailing]

Not sure what to make of that comment James.

[@jamesaleando2529]

Trend analysis. The documentation and ongoing analysis of, components, fluids . fuels together with duty cycle service schedule. This and the mca engineering yacht code. And solas regs. are what marine engineers have to understand.

[@confidencesailing]

So you don't think this amateur video from a non marine engineer should be posted - or are you just signposting a warning to others that there is more to marine engineering than a 10 minute video can hope to include

[@jamesaleando2529]

I think more care is needed when instructing complete novices. Start with warnings. Competence evaluation And an understanding that poorly undertaken servicing can compound into a stoppage or breakdown at sea. Cover your posterior so to speak

[@confidencesailing]

That's a very fair point James. I look forward to watching your videos on the subject 👍

[@michaelroberts5644]

KZbin dont have my size motor

[@TheJontydavid]

It should be similar what size motor is it ?