Tune-up for unused engine

[drew.ward]

Hey guys,

I'm planning on motoring my sailboat across Lake Pontchartrain in a week or so. I have a 4 cylinder mid-70's-80's Chyrsler Nissan Marine Diesel. The boat motored fine from Mobile about 8 months ago but has been sitting without the engine running ever since. I'm trying to find a guy to some check it out and get it started in the next few days.

I was wondering if anyone had one of these engines, or could give me some general info. I want ot know what preemptive tune-up things I should do to make sure it makes this 40 mile trip. It's basically a straight shot to its new marina, but there is NOTHING between one shore and the other so i don't want to get stranded in the middle of the lake.

What should I go ahead and change now (filters, glow plugs, etc)?

I am not sure I'll keep this engine in the long run, and don't want to spend a ton on it. Thanks

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by drew.ward

Hey guys,


I'm trying to find a guy to some check it out and get it started in the next few days.

This makes it seem as though you can't get it started.

[drew.ward]

The guy I bought the boat from had everything rigged all to hell. If I went in there and redid all the wiring and such I'd feel ok with it. I tried it thinking I'd get shocked and got a click but little more. It could have been the batteries, could have been the wiring, could have been that the engine is siezed up from not running for 8 months. Honestly I'm not sure.

It's an old engine that doesn't seem to be that popular so I doubt I'll keep it in the long run.

[eyschulman]

You may have several issues to worry about see if you can turn over engine manually (belt or fly wheel if it turns not frozen then check battery if good go next to starter electric connections and ground ( may be rusted up some other issues for old motor sitting idle #1 Is fuel in the tank clean and free of water #2 Impeller should be changed or at least removed and carefully checked( go that far put in a new one) #3 change oil and check for water and antifreeze. #4How old is anti freeze and when was cooling sx flushed and cleaned #5 check and change any worn belts. If Motor has not been run for 8 months you might want to get a little lube oil going around before you fire up. close sea water intake valve and turn motor over 15sec 3x with kill button on or stop solenoid engaged then open water valve and start motor

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by drew.ward

I tried it thinking I'd get shocked and got a click but little more.
.

If you get a click then it is probably your batteries or a bad connection.
Check battery voltage.
Clean battery terminals and starter hot wire and engine ground.
Have a beer.
Take an aspirin.
Call me in the morning.

[Alan Wheeler]

Don't take this as an insult, but If you can't work that out for yourself, get a local engine guy to come and help you out. Get him to check it over and perhaps show you some basics. I suggest you have the engines oil changed and check the fresh water cooling side has inhibitors in it. Probably worth changing the water and add new inhibitor.
In our study hall there is a list of maintenance things to go through.
And yes I agree with the others that your battery is most likely the issue.

[Liberty28]

Eight months not running is not unusual for some people/boats. It's not seized up, I'll tell you that.