Learning diesel

[Jdege]

I don't have pass, I have vague intentions, but I vaguely intend to live aboard a boat.

One of the things I thought it might be worth learning would be a bit of diesel maintenance and repair.

I've looked around and found votech prisms intended for folks who intend to work as mechanics, and they seem a bit more than I'm looking for. Two years of full time study is a bit much.

Anyone have any ideas of where I could find something like this?

[DeepFrz]

Jdege, where are you?

[Jdege]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

Jdege, where are you?

Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.

[DeepFrz]

Try a search using diesel courses for cruisers.

Do You Know Your Diesel Engine? - Waggoner Cruising Guide

Waggoner has classes but there are more. Mack Boring for instance.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...es-115509.html

Depends if you can travel and stay at a venue or if you want a class in Mpls. Hands on courses are the best.

[lockie]

You will progressively learn as you proceed through your boat-owning life, but for now the most important basic things to know are to do with the cooling and fuel systems. This includes how to check the water intake (where is it and where is the intake strainer and how do you unblock it), how to change a cooling pump impeller (usually not all that hard), and how to bleed the fuel system should you run out.

Others will chime in with more stuff, but assuming you have basic engine skills (how to check belts, battery voltage, change oil and filters etc), these will probably be the most valuable basic skills.

Lots of good stuff on the internet - maybe search for your engine and have a youtube evening. And look for a "intro to diesel for boat-owners" course.

Cheers, Graeme

[svseachange]

Lockie's answer to your question is perfect.

[delmarrey]

Jdege,

Do have any knowledge of gasoline motors. If so, there are certain differences you need to learn about the fuel and timing systems. The construction is very similar.

Diesels have a very high compression ratio & high oil pressure. The fuel is injected in thru injectors to atomize the fuel better. On older diesels the timing is set up using the IP (injection pump). Some newer diesels have rail manifold under constant pressure with electronic timed injectors.

Diesels love to work and hate idling and do not like exhaust back pressure. But if it's a turbo it will require some back pressure to operate. And compression is very important.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by lockie

You will progressively learn as you proceed through your boat-owning life, but for now the most important basic things to know are to do with the cooling and fuel systems. This includes how to check the water intake (where is it and where is the intake strainer and how do you unblock it), how to change a cooling pump impeller (usually not all that hard), and how to bleed the fuel system should you run out.

Others will chime in with more stuff, but assuming you have basic engine skills (how to check belts, battery voltage, change oil and filters etc), these will probably be the most valuable basic skills.

Lots of good stuff on the internet - maybe search for your engine and have a youtube evening. And look for a "intro to diesel for boat-owners" course.

Cheers, Graeme

All good, and also consider getting a copy of Nigel Calder's book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Marine-Dies.../dp/0071475354

[Diesel Bill]

Seek and ye shall find. Really, it's all on line now. If you can't find it on u-tube it probably doesn't exist. Post any specific diesel questions and you'll get plenty of good answers.

[DeepFrz]

Youtube is sometimes good but it doesn't give you any hands on experience if a person needs that. It all depends on whether the OP has mechanical experience and can judge what is a good video and what is a crap video. There is a lot of bad advice on youtube.

[Diesel Bill]

Videos on u-tube are great for seeing what the inner parts look like and how they fit before you pull your own thingy apart. I admit I watch 3 or more before I find one that suits me.
Many are just amateurish and a waste of time. but to actually see the insides of a piece is a wonderful thing.
As far as the O.P. having any mechanical skills, well that is entirely a different thing. My son in law is a program writer for computer control systems but I wouldn't trust him to change a flat tire. Sure a person can learn but it sure helps to have a feel for it and a little aptitude helps a lot. A large heaping of common sense come in handy too.

[Jdege]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

Jdege,

Do have any knowledge of gasoline motors. If so, there are certain differences you need to learn about the fuel and timing systems. The construction is very similar.

Used to work in my grandfather's lawnmower and chainsaw shop. Simple gas stores I can handle. What's going on in modern automobiles confuses the he'll out of me.

[boatpoker]

A very beginner primary New to Diesel Engines ?

[CaptJamesCook]

Boat poker that was very helpful reading.
thank you for posting