Post by naughtyfox on Jan 14, 2019 17:15:57 GMT
1. It is rather insulting to Tony Dunkley for starters, isn't it? Although I haven't met him, his advice is pretty darned accurate I think everyone here has to admit. And, anyway, we can't all know everything about everything. I'm embarrassed at the Stabbers-Dunkers rounds of insults; although they are sparring well and it does make for good reading.
2. There are many videos on YouTube, although many here are worried about using up their megabytes of their O2-Virgin-EE-other crap phone company's monthly allowance, so are reluctant to look. For engines, get the manual for starters! They are not the most entertaining books to read, so skim through and zero in on what you think is going to be important to you. Oil and filter changes are generally pretty simple, but think about what tools you need before starting the job and have them all to hand, and perhaps an assistant to hold something. Also have plenty of kitchen towel available, and a bowl to go beneath the fuel filter to catch the diesel as it drips (or have a plastic bag around it ready for it to drop into).
I have not changed a fuel filter on our engine yet, but want to do the next one. I have watched it be changed twice by two different blokes - the first one made a bit of us fuss and charged £20, the second man did it with no stress at all and charged £10. Although when I change it, I'll probably do it in a boatyard where a mechanic's help is nearby if I cock it up.
There are a lot of small jobs you can do yourself. If nothing else, spend some time making sure the engine is clean and try and work out for yourself what the various bits are, and how it works. Trace each pipe and at least try to see if they look OK, or are corroded or worn-out-looking and ask a mechanic his opinion (haven't met a woman mechanic in a boatyard yet). Try and establish a list of what should be changed when (ie. water pump impeller once a year?) and put it all down on a calendar. For every item, think about it and what it needs - eg. gear cables - do they need greasing/oiling (probably, anyway, where they are connected to the gearbox). Most moving parts need lubrication with oil or grease.
A clean engine room means a mechanic will be happier to get in there, and it will be easier to see problems / what you're working on. An engine room full of shit implies the boater doesn't care, and the mechanic will just do what he's paid for (probably sighing) and not be interested in answering extra questions or having a look at something else 'for free' and giving advice.
2. There are many videos on YouTube, although many here are worried about using up their megabytes of their O2-Virgin-EE-other crap phone company's monthly allowance, so are reluctant to look. For engines, get the manual for starters! They are not the most entertaining books to read, so skim through and zero in on what you think is going to be important to you. Oil and filter changes are generally pretty simple, but think about what tools you need before starting the job and have them all to hand, and perhaps an assistant to hold something. Also have plenty of kitchen towel available, and a bowl to go beneath the fuel filter to catch the diesel as it drips (or have a plastic bag around it ready for it to drop into).
I have not changed a fuel filter on our engine yet, but want to do the next one. I have watched it be changed twice by two different blokes - the first one made a bit of us fuss and charged £20, the second man did it with no stress at all and charged £10. Although when I change it, I'll probably do it in a boatyard where a mechanic's help is nearby if I cock it up.
There are a lot of small jobs you can do yourself. If nothing else, spend some time making sure the engine is clean and try and work out for yourself what the various bits are, and how it works. Trace each pipe and at least try to see if they look OK, or are corroded or worn-out-looking and ask a mechanic his opinion (haven't met a woman mechanic in a boatyard yet). Try and establish a list of what should be changed when (ie. water pump impeller once a year?) and put it all down on a calendar. For every item, think about it and what it needs - eg. gear cables - do they need greasing/oiling (probably, anyway, where they are connected to the gearbox). Most moving parts need lubrication with oil or grease.
A clean engine room means a mechanic will be happier to get in there, and it will be easier to see problems / what you're working on. An engine room full of shit implies the boater doesn't care, and the mechanic will just do what he's paid for (probably sighing) and not be interested in answering extra questions or having a look at something else 'for free' and giving advice.