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yachtwork
01-08-2010, 05:50 PM
This is a system of checking over a boat's drive train we use when picking up a boat for delivery. It's pretty good at catching most coming problems, but it is non-invasive. In other words we don't have to pull the head, or stuff like that. This also works for pre-purchase.

Scott


Technician Engine Analysis Checklist



For the rest of the article and photos see-
http://www.tongacharter.com/report-alalisis.htm



By: Scott Fratcher (http://yachtwork.com/scott_fratcher.html) - Marine Engineer/Captain
An engine analysis is an advanced system of inspecting our boats drive train. We perform these tests to help catch pending mechanical issues before we leave the dock. An analysis is much more comprehensive than a typical “pre-departure peak” at the engine. We are going to not only visually inspect our engine, but also take a series of measurements that become our baseline for future tests. Our goal is use this engine analysis as a system to help make easy informed decisions about our boats drive system.

To begin you should have on-hand as much of the following as possible:


· Camera
· Notepad
· Your collection of electrical meters
· A 0-3 bar pressure gauge (if your engine has a turbo)
· An infer red temperature gauge
· Any other special tools you might have
· A few rags, and spray cleaner

The steps to performing an engine analysis:

1. Visual inspection
2. Pre inspection
3. Bollard pull
4. Analyzing the numbers

Visual inspection

This is a general once over of the engine looking for blatant flaws.
Open the engine room door, look, feel and smell
Look for oil drips or other fluid under the engine. Inspect for obvious cracked hoses. Give a gentle bend where a hose attaches to the engine and look for cracks in the rubber cover. Check the fan belts for cracks and loose hose clamps. Grab the alternator pulley and see if it will spin free on the belt. If it does then the belt is worn or loose.
Feel the inside of the engine room for oil film. Touch the areas of the engine you can’t see feeling for rust or salt trails.
Smell for any burned chemical type odor. Smells can be difficult to locate, but in general any burnt, oily, or diesel smells should be searched out. A good nose can tell the difference between a hot belt and a hot wire.
Look over the complete engine for oil leaks. Pay particular attention to the front seal, and the area between the gearbox and engine. Leaks in the front or rear seal can mean a coming engine rebuild. Inspect the head to block connection looking for oil or water trails.
Take photos from all angles as a base line for later use.
This is the point where many an engine inspection ends, but in an analysis we want better scrutiny to help build confidence in our propulsion system.
Our next series of checks focus on fluid inspections

Oil

Oil is the lifeblood of our engine. It lubricants, cools and quiets our engine. But how do we know if the oil is doing its job?
Begin by pulling the dipstick. Smell for signs of diesel odor. Pinch a small dab of oil between your index finger and thumb and expand slowly to see how far you can spread the oil before the gap opens. Compare this gap to new oil and take down the difference for your notes. This is a crude method of checking viscosity and diesel intrusion.
Open the oil fill and look inside the cap for water droplets, condensation or worse, a gray gooey substance indicating w ...

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Jeff_G
01-09-2010, 10:24 PM
And you are posting this here, why?

roadkill636
01-09-2010, 10:33 PM
not many diesel engines or yachts (if any) here on
SCREAM AND FLY

sschefer
01-10-2010, 12:06 AM
Just curious how I would use your test info when I go looking for my dream Allison next year. Do you have a conversion chart?

yachtwork
01-10-2010, 02:51 AM
Thanks for the reply.

Why am I posting here? Well I'm not sure really. I guess cause it's a boating forum and it's a boating idea.

We used this system at every stop racing on Earthrace and it caught some pending failures. We have also introduced this system in a few shops I have worked at opening up a couple new business ideas such as inspecting yacht engines before they went offshore meaning a bit more income for everyone.

I guess, since I'm not doing hands on shop work so much and am just driving one boat now I'm just putting out the information in case someone can benefit from it.

Thanks again

Scott


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olmo40
01-10-2010, 03:50 AM
Thanks Scott ,

Do you have any pics of what you guys work on in Tonga ?

yachtwork
01-10-2010, 03:56 AM
Olmo40- Thanks for asking.

www.tongacharter.com

Is full of photos.

I mainly work on medium size yachts.50-80 foot type boats that carry 4-8 guests.

I'll try to upload a photo-

http://www.tongacharter.com/images/mariah/mariah-007.jpg

Scott

olmo40
01-10-2010, 04:16 AM
Tonga ,is a great holiday destination , have been there 3 times, good info.:thumbsup:

sschefer
01-10-2010, 01:50 PM
You know he's not really all that far off by posting this info on S/F. The new VW Diesels are making their way into the powerboating scene and a lot of that check list could be applied with a little modification.

Most of what's talked about here are outboard applications but that doesn't mean we don't have other boats.

Thanks for posting the info.