Cruisers & Sailing Forums - View Single Post - How to make your Diesel last a long time.

defjef · 21-09-2006, 17:21

I am curious about the top RPM of my engine.. a Volvo MD17D... Is full throttle exceeding the "redline"? or is the redline at full throttle?

Is it harmful to rev a diesel with no load to the top RPM? Is it less harmful rev it in gear?

Is running at high RPMs wasting fuel and or harming the engine?

My own experience is that the higher the revs the faster the boat moves...right on up to max RPMs which these days is around 2600 RPM.... and that seems like it should be higher. But in flat seas at max RPM the boat is moving hull speed and then some.

This engine is 21 yrs old and only recently had the top end rebuilt... which made it run a hell of a lot better. I want it to last until I die... hahaha

Jef
sv Shiva
Contest 36s

Anyone with experience please comment.

21-09-2006, 17:21	#4
defjef Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: up from NYC Boat: Shiva - Contest 36s Posts: 1,879	I am curious about the top RPM of my engine.. a Volvo MD17D... Is full throttle exceeding the "redline"? or is the redline at full throttle? Is it harmful to rev a diesel with no load to the top RPM? Is it less harmful rev it in gear? Is running at high RPMs wasting fuel and or harming the engine? My own experience is that the higher the revs the faster the boat moves...right on up to max RPMs which these days is around 2600 RPM.... and that seems like it should be higher. But in flat seas at max RPM the boat is moving hull speed and then some. This engine is 21 yrs old and only recently had the top end rebuilt... which made it run a hell of a lot better. I want it to last until I die... hahaha Jef sv Shiva Contest 36s Anyone with experience please comment.