DIESEL ENGINE CHECKLIST BEFORE

YOU START UP
Before Operating, our general rule is to check SIX items in our engine room: Engine
oil, transmission fluid, belts & hoses, coolant level, raw water strainer and fuel filters. 
Checking these items BEFORE you start up your marine diesel engine will not only
extend the life of your pricey engine, but will also keep you and your crew safer.
Captain John from skippertips.com wrote a good post about the step-by-step
inspection of your engine before you hit the “start” button. All these things are really
logical and happens to be the steps that we follow ourselves.

In addition to these important checks before you start your marine engine, keep a
close eye on your maintenance log to note when key maintenance activities such as oil
changes, air filter cleanings, propeller scraping, etc. are coming due. Below we list the
six items that we check and is recommended by Captain John.

Learn more about how marine diesel engines work…fascinating animated model.

OIL
This video demonstrates checking your oil along with some other basics.

 Oil level – Pull the dipstick out to wipe it off. Then push it back in fully.
Pull it out a second time to ensure the oil level is above halfway but not
above the fill line. Top off if needed.
 Oil color, smell, and texture – The engine oil should be black as brown
indicates excessive wear or contamination. Milkiness or streaks indicates
water in the oil and the need for an immediate oil change.
 free of debris as anything in the oil could damage the engine.
 Graininess may indicate metal fatigue and certainly indicates a trip to the
mechanic is needed. To look for impurities, smear the oil on your fingers
and hold in the light.
 Gearbox oil level – ensure it is consistent with the levels seen on the
dipstick..

BELTS & HOSES

 Visually check the drive belts for wear or other damage
 Check for proper adjustment – Push in the middle of the longest part of
the belt with direct pressure. The flex should be about 1/2 inch. Adjust or
 replace an ill-fitting loose belt may allow slippage and if too tight can
result in excessive wear on the belts and components.
 Tip: Carry belt and hose spares aboard.

COOLANT
Coolant or anti-freeze is vital to keep your engine from overheating and causing
damage inside the engine leaving you stranded and resulting in incredibly expensive
repairs.

Check only when engine is cool:

 Header tank cap gasket – Remove the cap, flip it over, and visually
check the gasket. If worn, broken, or missing a chunk, replace it.
Without a tight seal that a good gasket provides you will lose coolant
quickly and at the most inopportune time. 
 Coolant level – Keep the level close to the top of the fill. Tightly replace
the cap.
 again and look for anything against the outside raw water intake.

FUEL
 Fuel level – ensure you have enough fuel
 If you have a fuel shut-off valve, ensure it is set to the “on” position.
 Check your fuel filters/water separators if you have clear inspection
bowls.
Add years of life to your engine, save money on repairs, and protect your crew from
most nasty mechanical surprises.