Understanding Issues with Diesel Marine Engines
If you own a boat or other marine device, then you likely have a diesel marine engine. These engines can have several issues over their lifetime. Most of the issues will need to have some form of service done to them, which can range from a basic service to full repairs or replacement. Here are a few of those issues and what marine engineers can do to help.
Smoke and Exhaust
One of the first signs that something is wrong with your diesel marine engine is when you see white smoke and exhaust. If this happens once, it may not be a high priority issue. If you see it often and for a long period of time, then you may be having an issue with the oil in your engine. You may have low oil, bad oil or no oil, or the issue may be too much sludge in the oil. All of these issues can cause engine breakdowns and white smoke. If you see this issue, or if you see the oil light come on and this issue, turn off the motor and allow the engine to cool down. Check the oil. Change the oil if you can and if the issue continues, contact your marine engineer.
Loss of Power
If you have a sudden loss of power, you may be facing a fuel issue or injector issue. This means that the fuel may be having an issue going through the system and reaching the engine. If this happens, the engine will suddenly drop in power and shut down. You can try a fuel cleaner that can be put into the fuel tank and run through the system with the next full tank of diesel. If this does not help the situation, contact your marine engineer to have them check the fuel lines and ensure that there is no blockage, leak or other issues.
Air in Fuel Systems
There are times, especially with marine engines, when air can leak into the fuel system. In these cases you will notice issues ranging from loss of power to the inability to start the engine. If this is the case then you will need to have the fuel system "bled." This refers to opening the fuel lines and bleeding them of the fuel and any air. This is something your marine engineer can do safely. During the process, they will check for leaks, issues in the line and any debris that may be mixed with the fuel. This will alert them to other issues and allow them to move forward with a repair plan.
If you are having diesel marine engine issues, and you aren't sure what is causing them, contact your marine engineer team. They can offer help with troubleshooting, repairs and determining the best plan to get you up and running. They can also offer suggestions for upgrades to your engines to help reduce breakdown and repairs.
