Do you work on your engine?

[Captain Kimo]

Minor Maintenance Only

I do all the minor maintence on the motor myself. Change lower element lube oil, spark plugs, lube connecting rods. Anything major is taken to mechanic i.e. tune up.I always try to purchase the factory manual. In my case the Johnson 1996 50 HP outboard. It also has all the serial numbers of the parts.I check out the marina mechanic's suggestion and take my boat to the Blue Water Yacht, on Boulder Hwy, Las Vegas, NV. They seem to be very fair with me on repairs.

 

[Paul]

Easy motor to work on

I have a Honda 4 stroke 8 HP outboard and I bring it home twice a year, clip it on a sawhorse and do all the maintenance. Extremely simple 2 cylinder motor. I haven't had to repair anything on it yet but I'll do that myself to when the time comes.Paul1974 Catalina 27

 

[Dan Smith]

When I Can

I am the proud owner of a 28 ODAY with a 11 HP Universal diesel. I do all the routine maintenance, oil change,etc. I changed the raw water impeller and the pump wasn't working afterwards. After numerous hours of redoing and not being able to find the problem, I called a mechanic. He redid all I had done and eventially found that the pump cover did not seal completely. I bought a pump. I could have gotten by with just the cost of a pump had I been able to identify the real problem. I will continue to work on my engine unless I run into a problem I cannot solve. I am assured of the quality of the work.

 

[Tony Leslie]

So Far So Good

So far I have had very little problems like water pumps,fuel filter and oil changes. These were pretty easy compaired to the transmission! Now that was a pain, but well worth the effort.

 

[dan babin]

DIY - Yanmar #Y2GM

I've done most of the engine repair/maintenance on this engine although it has not required much. I would however like to know if anyone has an alternate part or design for the exhaust mixing return bend. Ours is constantly clogging and has been replaced once and cleaned frequently. The freshwater cooling water pump has also needed frequent rebuilding.

 

[Larry Watkins]

Engine work redux

Here's an update on engine work. I don't how I forgot it yesterday, but while in Mexico last year I hired a mechanic in Cabo San Lucas to do transmission work. I think he burned me good and I lost a lot of time, too. On the return trip up the Baja coast, I had to stop in Turtle Bay with engine problems. I had tested the lift pump and it seemed to work OK, but the engine wouldn't run under load. A local mechanic found the pump fouled with debris and managed to cannabalize two pumps together to make one good one to get me home. That pump is still in the boat. I also had the 100 amp Balmar rebuilt professionally, but even that hasn't solved my electrical problem.Larry W.

 

[Jerry Maisonneuve]

Do all my own work....

After I brought the first car I ever owned in for a tuneup many years ago Ivowed that no "mechanic" would I ever rely on in the future. Over the last 30 years I have rebuilt or repaired every engine and motor I ever owned. This year I did my first Univeral diesel teardown. It was fun and I saved quite a few dollars. Found out that diesel parts supply seems to be quite a lucrative racket. I think diesel parts suppliers use a factor of 6--- 6 x the reasonable cost, 6 x the delay in shipping, etc. I guess that they think that you will think that the extra expense is worth the wait.Most of my learning came by reading books, tech manuals and gleaning experience from machine shop techs and dealer reps -- it's there for the asking. Having the right tools is always necessary, although improvisation sometimes will get you by - this time. My biggest gripe is having to drive many miles and waiting many days for parts and machine shop work. But knowing that I will not get socked for labor is very reasurring since I know am already getting socked for parts.I do everything on my Catalina 30, except welding stainless steel, canvas and sail repair, and Loran-C repair. We do need some time to sail!

 

[Bob Gales]

Take a Class

The best thing I ever did was take a class titled Small Marine Diesel Repair and Maintenance at the local community college. I now know just enough to not be afraid to tackle any and all problems I might encounter. Most importantly I have learned what steps to take to prevent problems. I also enjoy working on the engine and electrical system as I have more time than money and knowing the systems gives me peace of mind while out on the water.Imagine is a 1988 Catalina 30 with a Universal 25XP.

 

[jim stevens]

yanmar wan

Revived my family's '76 hunter 30 this year after a 15 year dry dock. Piece by piece I disassembled/worked on/ replaced every part of the Yanmar YSE 12 (Battery, starter cables/connections, fuel lines, electric fuel pump, lube piping, injector pump, injector, cylinder head gasket, exhaust valve, push rods, hand starting gear, crankase cover/gasket, prop shaft stuffing box, upgraded alternator, etc.) The original piston, cylinder liner, crank shaft, camshaft, bearings and transmission required no major attention, but I was prepared to go the distance if required. With enough Labbatts Blue, the Mack Boring parts line, and the ability to wake up for work after knuckle busting into the wee hours, anything was possible. I became one with the Yanmar! 15 2001 days on Lake Champlain and counting.

 

[Jon Korda]

Yes but with very limited resources

I am lucky enought to have the ODay 25 with the Atomic 2...not the Atomic 4. Although you can get just about anything for the Atomic 4, the 2 is a problem. I need help setting the timing, replacing the carb. My engine runs rich and the carb adjustment seems to only help idle. The WICO magneto ignition is not common...except from old John Deere tractors. Does anyone have any tips for me?

 

[Roland Orlie]

when a mechanic cannot I have to

my mechanic tuned it 3 times and it would still start only with difficulties unitl I found out that he did not hook up the choke, now she runs perfectly. Guess who does the work now? My mechanic can go an fly a kite!!!!

 

[John Finch]

Mechanic?

One of my meanest pet peeves is to hire a mechanic to work on any machinery (car, truck, Plane or boat) and then wind up having to repair the original problem plus any damage the MECHANIC did. I do as much as I can. If it is beyond me, I grit my teeth, say a little prayer and hope to get a knowlegeable mechanic. If I can't look over his shoulder, I look for another one.Keep your sails full,JohnS/V Doxology

 

[Doug Wilson]

Universal 30

First time I've ever owned a diesel engine. Bought a 1983 Catlina 38 with a universal 30 in it two years ago. I didn't have a clue about anything on it. Well I know alot more now after it over heated this year. Who would of guessed the motor sucks in saltwater and there is a screen that needs to be cleaned. Heat exchanger? what the heck is that and it does what? Saltwater leaking out of exhaust? The fresh water cooling system on motor heats the hot water in hotwater tank? Which by the way turned out to be the problem with my over heating. Seems the outer tank had a small crack in the weld. I never would have known the shower water is pumped out thourgh the saltwater intake for the head if it hadn't broke as well. I could go on about all the things I've learned on this boat but how else do you learn unless you do it yourself. When you are out on the water the saftey of you and your crew could depend on your working knowledge of the boat. As much as I don't like the ,small,dirty,smelly,uncomfortable and sometimes painfull places you have to work. I believe it's for my own good.

 

[Del Wiese]

Atomic 4 maintenance

For years Don Moyer published maintenance tips for Atomic 4s. These contain a wealth of practical information on these venerable reliable power plants.

 

[David Undewood]

ok, I'll bite...

So, after 19 years of ownership, I have always changed the oil myself, never replaced the water pump impeler, but now I think it's finally time. About 3 years ago, I while working on another problem unrelated to the diesel, I notice the plywood platform under the fuel tank was soaked... leaking fuel tank. Removed the fuel, removed the tank and replace with new plastic tank, new fuel lines, fuel filters and yes, had to bleed the system. Glad I was not in some emergency while doing that for the fist time.. took all day. Finally, threw the Yanmar book away and used my common sense to trace the fuel flow and managed to get all the air out.. now she runs like a top.. love that engine. Soooo, if anyone out there has some useful tips on changing out the water pump impeler, I'm open for all ideas and suggestions. Thank you in advance.

 

[Rip Edmundson]

Mack Boring Engine City Tech School

I have done all my own work (all minor or maintenance) on my Yanmar 2GM20F since I bought my 1987 Hunter 31 in October 1999. I attended the Mack Boring Engine City Tech School in Feb 2000 and it gave me a tremendous amount of knowledge but even more, it gave me a lot of confidence to work on my own engine. I came home and immediately opened up my heat exchanger to check it out, replaced my raw water pump impeller, removed and inspected the vacuum break, and changed the oil on the engine and the transmission.I regularly clean my fuel filters and raw water filter.I used Roy Mosteller's wonderful directions and added an oil pressure gauge and water temperature gauge. While I was at it I added an hour meter and fixed the broken light test switch on my engine panel.I haven't adjusted the valves or replaced an injector yet,but I know how!Thanks to this forum, Roy Mosteller, and Mack Boring, my Yanmar runs great.

 

[Ray Lewis]

Independant

Always have done my own repairs whether major or minor. Fact is, I've been a mechanic most of my career so I'll buy the manual, grab the tools and just fix it. It's not difficult to find manuals, especially with the internet available to most.

 

[Claude]

YES, I work on my own engine

I am a mechanical engineer who enjoys working on my own engines. The Yanmar 3GMF in my '85 Hunter 34 is very accessible and I find it quite easy to work on. The Yanmar factory shop manual for the engine has all of the information needed to do routine maintenance as well as major work. The engine has not required any major work to date. I enjoy working on engines and have enjoyed worked on engines since learning to maintain my new Honda 305 motorcycle in 1962..

 

[George Leitner]

I´ve never touched an engine before

I am not at all techically skilled and love sailing . So I have the engine of my hunter 310 (a yanmar 18hp) checked and serviced once a year.I do check oil occasionaly (but so far I never had to add any)

 

[Greg]

always bringing a mechanic sailing

...with me did not seem like a reasonable plan, so I end up doing much of my own maintenance. I have found that maintenance, done regularly, can help prevent more untimely failures while on the water. Not everything is easy. and sometimes i need to do things twice...once to learn where i went wrong and another to do it right...from that point forward! It is also comforting to know that you have self sufficiency. In preparing for a LISound cruise, a friend commented that my "spares" bin looked like i was getting ready for an atlantic crossing instead of a week of cruising. However, I am very comfortable in knowing how the engine works, how to maintain, troubleshoot, and fix problems. I even have fun with little "preventions" that are like insurance. For example, if you mount a notched pulley on the front of a yanmar 20, if your starter or battery fail, you can pull start it (judicious use of the pressure relief valve required) just like an old style lawn mower!. Anyway, simple answer is yes, i do my own. Hmmmmmm...strangely enough though, I don't bother doing maintenance on my lawnmower. =)