BETA Marine Engine Maintenance Schedule

BETA Marine Diesel Engine Maintenance Schedule, our trained technicians at Santa Barbara Marine Diesel Mechanic, servicing, Channel Islands Harbor, Ventura Harbor & Santa Barbara Harbor. maintenance for Beta Marine, based in England, marinizes Kubota [Japanese] industrial diesel engines. These engines have an excellent reputation for high horsepower to weight ratio, longevity, smooth running, and low emissions.

They are the most technologically advanced small diesel engines available today for marine applications. The available engine range is 10 through 90 horsepower. All Beta Marine engines are fresh water cooled Beta Marine Engine Cooling System Maintenance – mechanic (sbmarinemechanic.com) and naturally aspirated [non-turbocharged]. Several makes and types of transmissions, with assorted reduction ratios, are also available to suit most any vessel.

ENGINE COOLANT/ ANTIFREEZE

Always use a Mono Ethylene Glycol Based Extended Life Anti-freeze mixed 30 < 50% with water. Do not exceed an Anti-freeze mix greater than 50%, as the engine cooling efficiency will be detrimentally affected. For engine coolant capacity please refer to the relevant engine operator’s handbook. TRANSMISSION LUBRICANTS Depending on the transmission brand/type they will either require Automatic Transmission Fluid or Engine Oil. For type, Beta Marine Diesel Maintenance Schedule

Daily or every 8 hours running:

• Check engine oil level.
• Check gearbox oil level.
• Check coolant level.
• Check battery fluid.
• Check belt tension and alternator bolts.
• Ensure sea/seawater inlet strainer is clear.
• Check stern gland lubrication if used.
• Drain off any water in fuel/water separator.
• Run engine up to temperature and check for leaks.

250 Service Hours or Yearly:

Change engine lubricating oil (standard sump).
Change lubricating oil filter
Change secondary fuel filter.
Change primary fuel filter.
Check air cleaner element.
Change seawater pump impeller.
Check seawater pump seals for leakage.
Change Zinc Anodes.
Remove heat exchanger tube stack, (Pickle) in Descaling Solution.
Spray the key switch with petroleum jelly/WD40 or
equivalent to lubricate the barrel.
Check ball joint nyloc nuts for tightness on both.
gearbox and speed control levers.

500 Service hours or every 2 years:

Change engine lubricating oil (standard sump).
Change lubricating oil filter.
Change secondary fuel filter.
Change primary fuel filter.
Change air cleaner element.
Change seawater pump impeller.
Check seawater pump seals for leakage.
Change Zinc Anodes.
Check valve clearance.
Remove heat exchanger tube stack, (Pickle) in Descaling Solution.
Spray the key switch with petroleum jelly/WD40 or
equivalent to lubricate the barrel.
Check ball joint nyloc nuts for tightness on both.
gearbox and speed control levers.

1500 Service hours:

Check injection nozzle pressure.
Inspect: Motor Mounts
Injector Timing: Check

Beta Marine Diesel Maintenance Schedule cooling system flow

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BETA Marine Engine Maintenance Schedule

BETA diesel engine Increasing the swept volume of the cylinder theoretically creates more power, because there is room to burn more fuel each cycle, but if you keep fuel consumption the same, the diesel generates less heat in combustion.

Another area of development has been around the fuel injection system.

A lot has been written about the desirability and reliability of so-called common rail versus mechanical injection for marine diesels.

As Andrew Growcoot, CEO of Beta Marine puts it: ‘The benefits of a mechanical system [are] simplicity and ease of maintenance. One doesn’t need a laptop to reset the electronics; a mechanical system is safe and will not power down at the wrong time.’

Beta Marine is a British marine diesel engine supplier that uses a Kubota block and has no intention of introducing the technology any time soon on sub-100hp engines.

Engine Room Log

Keep the maintenance log somewhere safe and remember to update it whenever you conduct anything from basic marine diesel engine maintenance to complex repairs. You can take notes on engine hours of operation and create a calendar or schedule for repair in another section of the log. Recording how much use your marine engine has gotten will help you know when it’s time to re-torque cylinder heads or change the oil.

Your maintenance and repair notes will be useful to anyone who uses your commercial boat or performs repairs. If a driver notices an issue with the engine, they can consult the notes to see if it’s an ongoing problem. A repair person can review your notes to see if similar problems have happened before or if past maintenance work could have contributed to the current issue.

The freshwater system services the turbocharger, cylinder jacket, and cycle head. Since the freshwater system is a closed loop, it relies on seawater to cool it.

The seawater and freshwater systems contain other components that keep them functioning, just as the engine as a whole does. Clogged sea strainers are not just one of the most common marine engine problems, but they are the number one cause of failed boat engines. Along with that issue comes seawater impeller failure.

A properly functioning impeller should look like a gear with rubbery veins. Over time, the part absorbs seawater. As a result, the impeller and its veins harden, bend, or break. If that happens, your engine can’t pump seawater in to cool down freshwater and other systems.

Removing the impeller in the fall keeps its veins from hardening. You can reinstall it in the spring or get a new one to replace it. You’ll need a socket wrench and a tool to remove the impeller, but they are worthwhile purchases since this is a maintenance task that you need to do yearly.

When caring for your freshwater system

focus on the pressure cap. Without a proper seal, your engine could overheat, so choose a quality seal and install it according to specifications. Another simple maintenance fix is changing antifreeze every two years. Use extended-life varieties and only mix with distilled water to keep your marine engine running right.

Some maintenance jobs should be performed by a professional. For example, every three years, you must remove the heat exchanger for cleaning. You should send this device to a professional, but with most engines, you can remove it yourself. Remember, though, that if you have an ECM or common-rail engine, an expert should take care of the entire process.