DIESEL ENGINES

Every year the rescue statistics published

by the RNLI show that the most common

cause of Lifeboat launches to pleasure craft

is machinery failure. In the case of motor

cruisers this does not come as any great

surprise; one might expect loss of motive

power to figure high in the list of prob-

lems. The fact that engine failure is also

the most common cause of sailing cruiser

rescues is less predictable and serves to

confirm just how important it is to keep

the engine in good running order.

In response to these statistics, the RYA

introduced a one-day course on diesel

engine operation. The syllabus is, very

broadly, the material covered in this book,

although the depth into which it is possible

to go in such a short course is inevitably

rather limited. The aim of both the course

and of this book is not to create instant

diesel mechanics, but to provide boat

owners with a better understanding of how

their engines work and what they must do

to keep them working.

While it would be great if everyone

could carry out all the  servicing  and

repairs on their own engines, this is not a

realistic proposition; few boat owners have

the time to become skilled mechanics and

not many boats carry the tools, spares and

equipment to provide the full workshop

support needed for complex repairs.

What is achievable by every owner is an

understanding of the importance of routine

engine management, how to rectify the

most common and relatively simple prob-

lems which occur and how to recognise

the warning signs that an engine needs

expert attention.

Fortunately, most diesel engines are reli-

able and relatively trouble free in operation,

so boat owners do not spend a high pro-

portion of their time confronted by smoky

exhausts, screeching temperature warning

alarms or engines that obstinately refuse

to start. Hence much of the knowledge

acquired on a diesel engine course is

seldom put into practice. This reinforces

the need for a clear comprehensive refer-

ence book, both to back up the knowledge

gained on a course and to provide a guide

for those who prefer to teach themselves

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