OBD II scanners with marine engines

[dave777]

Has anyone had success with an OBD scanner and marine engines? All cars have them, not sure if boats are required as well. Think I've seen a connector which looks like an OBD port on a Yanmar.

[Chief Engineer]

I have never heard of one.

[goboatingnow]

It will be the same as the cars as the spec is standardised.

Dave

[dave777]

I thought there is sometimes manufacturer specific codes. Or the European made vehicles used a slightly different encoding standard. I'm surprised I haven't heard more of OBD with boat engines, though I have heard of some marine yards using a laptop to diagnose an engine.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by dave777

I thought there is sometimes manufacturer specific codes. Or the European made vehicles used a slightly different encoding standard. I'm surprised I haven't heard more of OBD with boat engines, though I have heard of some marine yards using a laptop to diagnose an engine.

OBD is a standard worldwide for diagnostic access to cars and motorcycles. There are several protocols. It allows for access to gear train, engine and body computers. it's not provided by the engine alone rather it's a function of the cars electronic system

On a boat OBD is less useful as there isn't a standardised electronics setup. Equally engines are not typically integrated into the boats electronics sub systems. Hence most manufactures with electronic engine control have developed proprietary systems like Volvo Pentax VODIA system.

Dave

[Tellie]

If the sailing gods have their way they will never be needed. A diesel on a sailing boat should be a simple beast. In a world of over engineering and far too much faith in super kewl electronics, a sail boat deisel should be just that...simple.

[Lancerbye]

I have a scanner for vehicles but the engines on my boat are way before that came out. I prefer the older simpler diesels without the possibility of an electronic failure at a bad time. I have seen too many newer trucks sitting at the side of the road because their cpu crapped out, There are enough other problems to worry about on a boat.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Tellie

If the sailing gods have their way they will never be needed. A diesel on a sailing boat should be a simple beast. In a world of over engineering and far too much faith in super kewl electronics, a sail boat deisel should be just that...simple.

Yes but tell that to the EPA, for medium to large diesels, it's impossible to met emissions regulations without electronics.

Dave

[dave777]

There have been some laws passed about diesels, somehow the trucking lobby protects trucks. But marine diesels have some special requirements, divided into tiers with a difference between 'commercial' and 'recreational" diesels. Going forward, I don't think the validation can be done without an electronic connection. Not sure when that requirement would have started.

While I can understand some posters sentiment about not adding something else to break or complicate things, If it's there we should use it. If your engine can tell you it's not getting enough fuel, or the timing is off, etc. why not listen?