Marine Diesel Basics 1 - simple drawings and clear instructions show how to maintain, lay-up and recommission your complete marine diesel system
- 64 regular maintenance tasks
- 46 tasks before lay-up (winterizing and tropical storage)
- 42 tasks to recommission ("summerize") the complete system
- indirect and direct cooled engines
- sailboats, motorboats, and canal boats
Each section is divided into chapters covering each part of the complete diesel system (fuel, lubrication, electrics, stern gland, propeller etc.)
Every chapter starts with a table listing all the tasks covered, page references and frequency (as relevant)
All tasks are fully explained with clear drawings and minimal text
All the tools and supplies needed are illustrated for each task, as well as listed at the back of the book
All tasks (for maintenance, lay-up and recommissioning) are listed at the back of the book – by frequency, section and winterizing and heat & humidity
- 300+ drawings, 222 pages
- paperback US$15.99 £10.99 €12.99
- ebook (kindle, kobo, ibooks, google, epub) US$9.99
Video 1:44
The book is organized to help you accomplish all necessary tasks easily and with confidence.
Seeing is Understanding - why visual data is easier to understand and remember
Human brains process visual data up to 60,000 times faster than verbal data. Visual and verbal information actually activate different parts of the brain. Visual information engages many more associations already memorized in different areas of the brain, so new visual information is more likely to “stick”. It's easier to remember a person's face than their name.
The greatest advantage comes by combining images and text - using text to explain and amplify the visual information. This is the guiding principle of the Marine Diesel Basics series.
Table of Contents
Introduction
What is the Value of this Book?
Disclaimer
From the Author
Words – Canadian, American, Australian & British Equivalents
Maintenance
Value of the Maintenance Log
1 Maintenance – Engine Essentials
Main Concerns
Task List
1 Visual Engine Room Inspection
2 Check Engine Oil Level
3 Check Belt Tension
4 Check Coolant/Antifreeze & Top Up as Needed
5 Check Transmission Fluid Level
6 Inspect Hoses and Hose Clamps
7 Fit & Inspect Chafe Protection
8 Inspect Wires and Wiring Terminals
9 Inspect Belts – Alternator, Coolant & Raw Water Pump
10 Inspect Pulleys (Sheaves)
11 Check Alignment of Belts & Pulleys
12 Adjust Pulley Alignment
13 Tighten Alternator and Water Pump Belts
14 Inspect & Repair Sound Insulation
15 Start Engine
Cautionary Tale
2 Maintenance – Diesel Fuel
Main Concerns
Task List
Importance of Scrupulously Clean Fuel
Three Ways to Contaminate Diesel Fuel & Tanks
Preventing Fuel Contamination
1 Inspect Fuel Deck Fill
2 Add Biocide to the Fuel Tank(s)
Diesel Fuel Primary Fuel Filter
How Small is Small?
3 Change the Primary Fuel Filter
4 Change the Secondary Fuel Filter
5 Bleed the Diesel System
6 Check Diesel Tank(s) for Contamination
7 Inspect Injection Pump and Injectors
Cautionary Tale
read complete Table of Contents
Every chapter starts with an overview.
What reviewers are saying about the book...
"... a huge asset for those wishing to get a little more hands on in the engine room due to its simple, visual directions...it is essential material for anybody just starting out on diesel engines due to its clear illustrations. It would have saved me hundreds of hours of researching and watching long-winded YouTube videos when I began tackling our own power plant. Even after 5 years of full-time cruising and engine maintenance I discovered a number of new tips and tricks in this guide. I highly recommend it."
Good Old Boat, fall 2017
"Your book went down a storm earlier in the week with my students..."
C Power Training, Scotland
"the book I wish I had four years ago"
Jase Kovacs, (full review)
"This book should be required reading for anyone responsible for the maintenance of their own boat...
I recommend it to any boat owner but especially a sail boat owner who does their own maintenance."
Kindle reader
"Excellent, clear, concise and easy to follow. Highly recommended"
Amazon reader
"Dennison Berwick challenges boat owners to stop being so intimidated by their diesel engines and to realize that basic maintenance is actually easy...but you have to do it. He's right of course and this message was written with me in mind; a non-marine professional recreational yacht owner. His pictures were instructive and his positive attitude was inspiring... It is thoughtfully well written and the illustrations make this topic accessible. I recommend it highly."
Amazon reader
"I have the hard copy - brilliant. Totally recommend to all boat owners with diesel power, and to would-be, soon-to-be boat owners. Great for diesel mechanic students as an excellent quick reference."
Amazon reader (Australia)
