Novice on diesel maintenance

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Kenneth Pfaff

I am buying a new Hunter 290 in the Spring which will have a Yanmar 18HP diesel engine. I know next to nothing on maintenance of a diesel. Can anyone recommend any books I can read over the winter to improve my knowledge base.
 
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Bob Patrick

Diesel Maintenance

Ken: Try to get ahold of an owners manual that will come with your new boat. Also, check out this website for actual 1 and 2 day classes on that particular engine: www.mackboring.com If you go the the Yanmar site www.yanmar.com, it will direct you to this dealer for your part of the country. We just took delivery this summer of a new 32 Ft. Hunter with this same engine, and we too know next to nothing but are considering taking the 1 and 2 day class, plus reading the owners manual this winter as we were too busy having fun this summer to be bothered!!!!! We thoroughly enjoy our Hunter and think you have made a wise choice.
 
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Paul Akers

Take a class

Some of the diesel distributors around often have class in the spring. For around $100 they hold 1-2 day classes and go over the necessary basics of engine maintenance. Look around for some. I attended a Westerbeke clas in Marblehead, MA. Mack Boring offers classes (I think in NJ, also). It was worth the money and it was fun.
 
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Paul Akers

Also...

...Yanmar sells service manuals for their models that would help you. They cost around $45. But there are other manuals, also. Check the archives here. This question has been discussed recently before. Good Luck.
 
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Gary Wyngarden

Another Book

Another good book is Nigel Calder's Marine Diesel Engines. He is both thorough and easy to understand.
 
B

Bryan C.

Sealoc and Calder

Haven't seen Calder's Marine Diesel but his "Boat Owners Mechanical and Electrical Manual" contains some sections on how diesels work that are probably similar and are just excellent for beginners. Calder starts at the beginning assuming you know nothing (was a fair assumption with me) and explains how things work and how to maintain and fix them. He goes in far more detail than you'll probably need. the Mechanical and electrical manual also provides an explanation of how the other major systems (AC, DC, plumbing, head, stearing, rigging, etc.) on your boat work, can be maintained and fixed. Sealoc makes a manual for Yanmar's that is like Chilton's for autos. Has lots of pictures and step by step instructions on how to do things like change oil and bleeding. Excellent for begginers. You can get is on-line or WM or Boat US for about $25. The official Yanmar manual is very good, but a little cryptic if you have no idea what you are doing.
 
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Carl Dupre

Mack Boring Yanmar Class

I heartily second Paul's recommendation of the Mack Boring Yanmar course. The whole package is 3 days; 1 day classroom and 2 days hands-on. I did it, and it's REALLY great, especially for a novice (like me!). You get to actually DO essentially every standard maintenance task on the engine that you will actually have; they will have about 5 or 6 different models at each class, and there is always a 2GM. Mack Boring does offer courses at a location in New Jersey. See "www.mackboring.com".
 
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John Squire

Alternatives to Mack Boring?

MB seems to be very Yanmar-specific - are there any Universal/Westerbeke-specific outfits, or any thoughts on whether the differences matter?
 
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Paul Akers

Actually,...

...I took my course at a Westerbeke shop. At the beginning, they asked everyone (about 20) what they had for an engine. They used a Westerbeke for the class. As the class progressed, the instructor would cite anything particular to the different brands. Not many were different. Basically, all diesels work the same.
 
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