Table of Contents

Preface 1. Introduction - Why you need to look after your engine - Reasons for learning about your engine 2. Principles of the engine - How a diesel and petrol engine works - The difference between a diesel and a petrol engine - What happens if you don’t know the difference between a diesel and petrol engine - Anecdote: Putting the wrong fuel into the tank - Video: How diesel and petrol engines work 3. Fuel system - Get to know your fuel system - Looking after your fuel tank - Tips on changing filters - Common symptoms of fuel problems - Anecdote: What happens if you do not look after your fuel - Video: Different types of fuel and contaminated fuel - Video: how to change a fuel filter 4. Cooling system - Differences in types of cooling systems - Getting to know your cooling system - Tips on changing impellers and clearing blocked raw water systems - Common causes of cooling problems - Anecdote: What can happen when the cooling system fails - Video: How to change an impeller and how to check cooling efficiency 5. Air systems - Why air is important to your engine - How your engine accesses air - Common causes of air system problems - Anecdote: What happens when your engine doesn't get enough air - Video: How to change an air filter and air filter examples 6. Engine electrical systems - The basic electrical system - How to look after your electrics - Common causes of electrical failure - Anecdote: What happens if your electrics fail - Video: Battery checks and the basic electrical system 7. Lubrication system - Why lubricating is important - What do we lubricate? - How to look after your lubrication system - Anecdote: What happens if you don’t lubricate enough - Video: Where to check oil levels and types of oil 8. Gear boxes and drives - Shaft drive - Stern drive - Sail drive - Azipod - Outboard 9. Checklists - Checks before starting your engine - Checks once your engine is running - How to protect your engine between visits - Anecdote: What can happen if you forget to prepare your engine - Video: The engine checks 10. Importance of servicing and winterising - Minimum annual service requirements - The importance of servicing your engine - How to leave your engine unused for prolonged periods (winterising) - Anecdote: What can happen if you don’t look after your engine - Video: Flushing out the cooling system 11. Most common causes of breakdown - Types of breakdown - Why breakdowns are more common on boats - Tips on preventing breakdowns occurring 12. How to troubleshoot a breakdown situation - Symptoms of different engine faults - What are the most common causes of these faults - Tips on how to diagnose engine faults - Anecdote: Examples of causes of breakdowns - Video: Failed engine parts 13. Spares and tools - Why do we need spares? - What should we keep as spare parts? - Anecdote: What can happen if you keep the wrong parts onboard - Video: Showing examples of spares to keep

Promotional Information

In this indispensable guide Duncan Wells takes the stress out of engine maintenance and repair, with step by step instructions, videos, checklists and clear explanations, helping skippers to avoid breaking down and get the most out of their boat.

About the Author

Duncan Wells is an RYA instructor and sailing school principal. He has written for many leading boating magazines in the UK and US. He is the author of the bestselling Stress-Free Sailing, Stress-Free Navigation and Stress-Free Motorboating (all published by Adlard Coles Nautical), which have helped countless sailors and motorboaters learn trouble-free boating techniques. He lives in Buckinghamshire. Jonathan Parker worked as operations manager of Sea Start (the AA of the sea), where he repaired more than 3,000 boats. He also spent many years teaching the RYA Diesel Engine course. He currently runs his own boat servicing and repair company, Parker Marine Services.

Reviews

deservedly popular ... takes boatowners through all aspects of engine maintenance in a straightforward and jargon-free manner.
*Practical Boat Owner*