Troubleshooting at Sea 101: Diagnosing and Fixing Engine Problems
Have you ever broken down at sea? There’s nothing worse than the realization that something is wrong with your boat. Especially when everything was functioning fine! Unfortunately, this scenario is not that uncommon. Luckily, majority of the times it’s a problem you can fix onboard with the right know-how and a good set of tools. Even though you can’t fix every problem at sea, you can increase your chances of getting out of a pickle by knowing what to look for. With diesel engines, it is important to know that the engine mainly needs two elements. It needs both air and clean fuel in order to run. So if you are missing one in the equation, you’re going to have problems.
There are steps …show more content…
Do NOT do this when the engine is hot, otherwise you could get burned. The coolant level should be within a couple inches of the filler point.
If low coolant is the problem, fill it back up to the appropriate level. If you do not have any coolant, top off with fresh water. However, once you get home drain and refill the system with coolant. Also, the coolant had to go somewhere, so check the hoses for any punctures or kinks that are preventing flow.
If your engine thermostat is high and you are experiencing a drop in engine RPM’s, check your prop shaft. Traps can get tangled and wrapped around the prop, creating excess friction.
A bad thermostat can restrict the flow of coolant even once the engine is warm. If you have a spare on board, replace it with the new one. Otherwise, the engine will run without the thermostat so remove it if it’s the culprit. Just make sure you put in a new thermostat as soon as you get home.
If your problem is due to a malfunctioning sensor, a bad head gasket, or has something to do with the heat exchanger and you are a novice mechanic, do not venture any further. Get ahold of a professional.
ENGINE FAILS TO
Have you ever broken down at sea? There’s nothing worse than the realization that something is wrong with your boat. Especially when everything was functioning fine! Unfortunately, this scenario is not that uncommon. Luckily, majority of the times it’s a problem you can fix onboard with the right know-how and a good set of tools. Even though you can’t fix every problem at sea, you can increase your chances of getting out of a pickle by knowing what to look for. With diesel engines, it is important to know that the engine mainly needs two elements. It needs both air and clean fuel in order to run. So if you are missing one in the equation, you’re going to have problems.
There are steps …show more content…
Do NOT do this when the engine is hot, otherwise you could get burned. The coolant level should be within a couple inches of the filler point.
If low coolant is the problem, fill it back up to the appropriate level. If you do not have any coolant, top off with fresh water. However, once you get home drain and refill the system with coolant. Also, the coolant had to go somewhere, so check the hoses for any punctures or kinks that are preventing flow.
If your engine thermostat is high and you are experiencing a drop in engine RPM’s, check your prop shaft. Traps can get tangled and wrapped around the prop, creating excess friction.
A bad thermostat can restrict the flow of coolant even once the engine is warm. If you have a spare on board, replace it with the new one. Otherwise, the engine will run without the thermostat so remove it if it’s the culprit. Just make sure you put in a new thermostat as soon as you get home.
If your problem is due to a malfunctioning sensor, a bad head gasket, or has something to do with the heat exchanger and you are a novice mechanic, do not venture any further. Get ahold of a professional.
ENGINE FAILS TO