Schedule of Marine Diesel Maintenance Tasks 2

What needs to be done to keep the complete system in good condition

Value of the Maintenance Log
One of the most important, and easiest, ways to ensure the health and longevity of all mechanical equipment on
a boat is keep a Maintenance Log. The more comprehensive and detailed, the more useful the logbook becomes
over time:
A Maintenance Log has four main functions:
• early warning of potential problems. Most problems develop slowly
and are simple to correct if caught early
• time and details of any changes in performance
• recording details of work done and equipment serviced
• system history – what was done, when, how and by whom

A plain A4 or Letter-sized notebook makes a practical Log.

Divide each double page spread into four columns
• date/time – especially useful when monitoring a developing problem over time
• item – which component (e. g. oil filter, alternator, transmission, propeller etc.)
• notes – write down the details
• follow-up – what further action needs to be taken? Inspecting V Belts

Daily
Engine Essentials
visual engine room inspection

check engine oil level

check belt tension

check coolant/antifreeze & top up as needed

Electrical
keep battery(s) charged

Weekly
Engine Essentials
check transmission fluid level

inspect hoses and hose clamps

fit & inspect anti-chafe protection

inspect belt(s)

excerpted from Marine Diesel Basics 1 - Maintenance, Lay-Up, Winter Protection, Tropical Storage, Spring Recommission - the first VISUAL guides
© 2017 Dennison Berwick All rights reserved marinedieselbasics.com
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 Marine Diesel Schedule of Maintenance Tasks 2
What needs to be done to keep the complete system in good condition

Lubrication
dipstick diagnostics – engine oil

dipstick diagnostics – transmission fluid

Coolant/Antifreeze
check coolant/antifreeze level in header tank or overflow bottle Coolant/Antifreeze Inspection
Clarity Action Required
inspect condition of coolant
clear normal
different coolants drain, flush and
Electrical cloudy
mixed together use fresh coolant
check battery open circuit voltage with a multimeter Colour
bright, clear normal
inspect wires and terminals
different coolants drain, flush and
brown
mixed together use fresh coolant
Drive Train Contamination
scrape the propeller, strut & shaft (as needed) precipitation of drain, flush and
sediments “grit”
additives, rust, scale use fresh coolant
Monthly engine oil
investigate
oil cooler leaking
oil droplets leaking into
cylinder heat gasket
Engine Essentials coolant
leaking
inspect pulleys (sheaves)

check alignment of belts & pulleys Types of Syphon Breaks

adjust pulley alignment (as needed)

tighten alternator and water pump belts

Diesel Fuel
inspect injection pump and injectors (keep clean)

Raw Water Cooling

flush and clean the syphon break

Battery Sulphation
Breathing – Air Intake & Exhaust
clean the air filter

Electrical
keep battery terminal connections tight

clean battery tops and terminals

check electrolyte levels in wet-cell batteries

add water to unsealed wet cell battery

excerpted from Marine Diesel Basics 1 - Maintenance, Lay-Up, Winter Protection, Tropical Storage, Spring Recommission - the first VISUAL guides
© 2017 Dennison Berwick All rights reserved marinedieselbasics.com
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 Marine Diesel Schedule of Maintenance Tasks
What needs to be done to keep the complete system in good condition

3 Months Check Engine Room Ventilation

Diesel Fuel
inspect fuel deck fill

add biocide to the fuel tank(s) (when filling tanks)

Breathing – Air Intake & Exhaust

check adequate air flow through engine room

Drive Train
check coupling between transmission & prop shaft

inspect the stern gland (stuffing box)

Seasonal
change the engine oil & filter (see engine manual)

change the transmission fluid (engine oil)

grease the control cable ends and engine mount threads

check injection pump & governor dipstick (if fitted)

6 Months
Raw Water Cooling
check and change heat exchanger anode(s)
Inspect the Heat Exchanger Anode

Drive Train
inspect the propeller anode

inspect the anode on a feathering propeller

Yearly
Diesel Fuel
change the primary fuel filter (use 10 micron filter)
Check Fuel Tank for Contamination
change the secondary fuel filter (use 2 micron filter)

bleed the fuel system (as needed)

check the diesel tank(s) for contamination

excerpted from Marine Diesel Basics 1 - Maintenance, Lay-Up, Winter Protection, Tropical Storage, Spring Recommission - the first VISUAL guides
© 2017 Dennison Berwick All rights reserved marinedieselbasics.com
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 Marine Diesel Schedule of Maintenance Tasks 2
What needs to be done to keep the complete system in good condition

Lubrication
lubricate ignition key slot Inspect the Raw Water Pump Impeller

Raw Water Cooling

clean raw water intake thruhull

check emergency plug tied to seacock

check seacock opens/closes smoothly

inspect raw water strainer (full assembly, not just basket)

inspect raw water pump & impeller

Breathing – Air Intake & Exhaust

inspect & repair sound insulation

Electrical Inspect the Cutlass Bearing

load testing a 12 volt battery

Drive Train
inspect the propeller shaft

inspect the strut

inspect the cutlass bearing

inspect the propeller

inspect propeller nuts are tight & cotter pin secure

inspect a folding propeller

1 – 2 Years

Drive Train
grease a feathering propeller

Coolant/Antifreeze
drain and replace worn-out coolant/antifreeze

excerpted from Marine Diesel Basics 1 - Maintenance, Lay-Up, Winter Protection, Tropical Storage, Spring Recommission - the first VISUAL guides
© 2017 Dennison Berwick All rights reserved marinedieselbasics.com
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 Marine Diesel Schedule of Maintenance Tasks 2
What needs to be done to keep the complete system in good condition

The humble oil (and transmission) dipstick is a useful diagnostic tool. Best
practice is to carry out the five simple checks at least monthly.
Record results in the Maintenance Log to spot changes over time.

Seeing is understanding! With more than 300 illustrations,

the first book in the Marine Diesel Basics series shows how to:

1) complete all basic maintenance tasks of the marine diesel

system - fuel, lubrication, cooling, breathing, electrical, and
drive train (coupling, shaft, shaft seal, propeller)

2) winterize the complete system and to prepare for tropical

storage (high heat and humidity)

3) recommission (“summerize”) the system to ensure reliable

and trouble-free service

• step-by-step instructions in clear, simple drawings

• explains all parts of the system
• lists all necesswary tools and supplies to get each task done
• covers sailboats, motorboats and narrowboats
• indirect and direct cooled diesel engines
• saildrives – maintenance, lay-up, recommissioning
• 300+ drawings, 222 pages, full Task Lists and Index

Available US $15.99 £9.99 €12.99 (price may vary between

retailers)
Amazon in softcover and Kindle
iBooks
Google Play
bricks & mortar bookstores everywhere
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Published by Voyage Press © 2017 Dennison Berwick
All Rights Reserved marinedieselbasics.com
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excerpted from Marine Diesel Basics 1 - Maintenance, Lay-Up, Winter Protection, Tropical Storage, Spring Recommission - the first VISUAL guides
© 2017 Dennison Berwick All rights reserved marinedieselbasics.com
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