Marine Diesel Engine Maintenance Schedule, Performed by skilled technicians at Santa Barbara Marine Diesel Mechanic. servicing Channel Islands, Ventura & Santa Barbara.
Marine Diesel Engine Maintenance Schedule, Proper maintenance is critical for any engine, and it’s especially pivotal for marine diesel engines. Routine maintenance helps keep engines running smoothly while troubleshooting potentially catastrophic engine failures.
FUEL SYSTEM
After the initial servicing, which is typically recommended after approximately 50 hours of service, fuel-system service items are to be checked and/or replaced at 250-hour intervals or annually. The chief culprits in most fuel problems are water intrusion and often the related problems of contamination and sediment. Here’s the list of service items:
- Drain water and sediment from the fuel tank if it is drain-equipped.
- Drain water from fuel/water separating fuel filter.
- Replace primary and secondary fuel filters.
- The topic of marine diesel fuel can be complex, especially since some manufacturers of the newest diesels with emission controls require the use of lubricity additives in the fuel. You will need to find out if this is a requirement for your engine right from the start. Additionally, engine manufacturers are now recommending that fuel injector spray patterns be checked every four or five years or 1,000 hours.
LUBRICATION SYSTEM
Strictly following engine manufacturer recommendations for engine oil grade and viscosity is an extremely important maintenance item contributing to long engine life. Cheating here to save a buck is false economy! As for the frequency of oil changes, the numbers vary slightly from one manufacturer to another, but are in the range of the 250-300 hours, or annually. For most recreational boaters, this will typically amount to an oil change with filters each season, and the oil change will be for both the engine and transmission.
COOLING SYSTEM
Next to your engine’s oil, the coolant used is of paramount importance. Understand that engine coolant is much more than merely an antifreeze product. Modern engine coolants are a complex blend of chemicals that help to minimize corrosion, raise boiling points, lubricate, neutralize engine by-products of combustion, and keep things from freezing. This is another area where following the engine manufacturer’s recommendations for acceptable coolant products is extremely important. Basic service intervals for changing engine coolant will vary now that “long-life” coolant is available, as long as the engine manufacturer allows for their use.
- Check for seawater circulation exiting the engine exhaust whenever the engine is running. Note that in some cases this may not occur until the engine reaches operating temperature.
- Check coolant level before starting engine each time.
- Check and replace the seawater pump impeller every 250 hours, or seasonally.
- Replace engine cooling system seawater anodes annually.
- Check and clean seawater strainer each time engine is run.
- Clean cooling system seawater passages at least every two years or 500 hours.
AIR INTAKE AND EXHAUST SYSTEM
The procedures here will vary depending on the manufacturer and the equipment installed on your engine. If you don’t have a turbocharger, things will be a bit simpler.
Walker offers a wide variety or high-performance air filtration that replaces the standard paper elements found on many marine engines.
Direct replacement for the stock paper air filters commonly found on Cummins, John Deere, Caterpillar, MAN and other marine diesel engines. These filters allow 20% more airflow to improve engine performance and help boost fuel economy. Water and moisture resistant, these filters are also washable, so service life is longer than the stock paper air filters. Depending on model, preconditioned with red or blue oil for maximum dirt capture and engine protection, filters are tapered or cylindrical in shape depending on engine selected.
As for the exhaust system, cleaning and/or replacement of the exhaust seawater/mixing elbow at the exhaust riser may be required. Typically, these are made of cast iron and in the saltwater world rust will be a concern. Some manufacturers recommend checking these each season by removing the rubber hose that connects the engine seawater cooling hose to the mixer at the elbow of the exhaust riser and looking for excessive rust. If it appears to be rusty, or the passageway is partially blocked, you should remove the exhaust riser and clean it out thoroughly. Marine Diesel Engine Maintenance Schedule
