6 Basic Tips For Trouble Free Engine Operation

Every boat owner with an inboard engine should carry out these quick and simple checks prior to starting their engines. Mostly they will prove unnecessary but performed regularly they will familiarise you with the engine and just may prevent inconvenient and costly damage.

1. Check the seawater inlet filter and turn on the seacock

Many boat operators never turn off the seacocks or check the seawater inlet filter, however this only takes a few moments. A partially blocked seawater filter can be fine when idling in the marina but may cause the engine to overheat once it is working at full load after you have left the dock. A blocked filter could cause serious engine damage if you don’t realise until the overheating alarm goes off. Turning the seacock off after operating the engine ensures it is working. Many seacocks left open for long periods are seized making them useless when really needed. A leaky hose may go unnoticed, but won’t sink an unattended boat if the seacock is off. Also it causes you to check the bilge and the condition of the hose and its clamps on a regular basis.

2. Check the oil level

Most modern diesels in good condition don’t use much oil during normal operation causing us to be lax in checking the oil level. Again it only takes a few moments to check and noticing an unusual change in oil level would alert you to a problem.

3. Check the cooling water level

If you have a heat exchanger check the coolant level. Ninetynine times out of a hundred it’s fine. Regular checking alert you to any unusual loss of coolant.

4. Check the Fuel Filter

A quick check of the glass bowl on the fuel filter every time you are going to start your engine can alert you to potential fuel problems, such as water or algae in the tank.

5. Check the Batteries

Check the electrolyte level and top up if necessary. If frequent topping up is required this can alert you to overcharging problems or that the battery is near the end of its life. Even if you have sealed batteries it pays to give them a look over as part of your starting routine. The terminals can be checked for tightness or corrosion, a common cause of battery problems.

6. Check the cooling water overboard discharge

This check ensures the seawater pump is working, or that you haven’t forgotten to turn the seacock on!