Work-around solutions and emergencyrepairs that will get your boat home when allelse fails Practical Boat Mechanics belongs onboard everyboat that has a gasoline, diesel, inboard, or out-boardengine. This practical collection of fast fixes enables you to repair failed machinery with basic tools under adverse conditions. Designed and written for non-mechanics, italso presents do-it-yourself maintenance proceduresand schedules that will prevent most problems fromoccurring. Ben L. Evridge spent 20 years maintaining the 1,200 fishing vessels of Kodiak, Alaska, keeping them running in one of the world’s most challenging marine environments. He is a regular contributor to National Fisherman . Ben L. Evridge spent 20 years maintainingthe 1,200 fishing vessels of Kodiak, Alaska, keeping themrunning in one of the world’s most challenging marine environments. He is a regular contributor to National Fisherman . PRACTICAL BOAT MECHANICS Commonsense Ways to Prevent, Diagnose, and Repair Engine and Mechanical Problems By BEN L. EVRIDGE The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Copyright ©2009 International Marine All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-07-144505-4 Contents AcknowledgmentsIntroductionPART 1: SYSTEMS OVERVIEWCHAPTER 1 THE NATURE OF THE BEASTCHAPTER 2 UNDERSTANDING MARINE ENGINESCHAPTER 3 MARINE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMSCHAPTER 4 BELTS AND HOSESCHAPTER 5 FUEL, LUBE OIL, AND FILTRATION SYSTEMSCHAPTER 6 THE MARINE TRANSMISSION AND POWER-TAKE-OFFCHAPTER 7 THE MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL INTERFACECHAPTER 8 MARINE EXHAUST SYSTEMSPART 2: TROUBLESHOOTINGCHAPTER 10 ENGINE TROUBLESHOOTING BY SYMPTOMCHAPTER 11 TROUBLESHOOTING WITH THE FIVE SENSES: DIESEL ENGINESCHAPTER 12 TROUBLESHOOTING WITH THE FIVE SENSES: GASOLINE ENGINESCHAPTER 13 TROUBLESHOOTING WITH THE FIVE SENSES: CABIN AND ENGINE ROOMCHAPTER 14 TROUBLESHOOTING WITH THE FIVE SENSES: TRANSMISSIONS AND POWER-TAKE-CHAPTER 15 TROUBLESHOOTING WITH THE FIVE SENSES: STEERING AND ENGINE CONTROLSPART 3: THE RESOURCEFUL BOAT MECHANICCHAPTER 16 DETECTION OF CRACKS, LEAKS, AND OTHER DEFECTS IN VITAL PARTSCHAPTER 17 SHAFT AND ENGINE ALIGNMENTTables and ConversionsIndex Excerpt CHAPTER 1 THE NATURE OF THE BEAST Before you begin caring for your boat's mechanical health and diagnosing andtreating its mechanical symptoms, you should meet the patient. Chapters 1 through 9 offer a tour of your boat's mechanical mysteries and make a number ofsuggestions for routine maintenance. Caring for your boat's mechanical systemsis not only the best way to keep them functioning reliably, it's also the bestway to learn how they function and to prepare yourself for problem solving ifand when something does go wrong. This chapter covers a few of the basics. Your boat may be brand-new, it maysimply be new to you, or it may be a mechanical mystery even though you've ownedit for several years. Whatever the reason, it's time to meet your boat and tofamiliarize yourself with a few of the techniques and circumstances you'llencounter again and again as you work with mechanical systems aboard. THE BOATOWNER'S CHECKLIST Before you use your boat, gather the information and make the inspections notedin this section. You need to be familiar with all the important systems on boardto properly maintain them and to know what to do if something goes wrong. You'llbe able to respond more quickly if you do your homework ahead of time. 1. Record the information from all engines and transmissions. Note: Thetransmission, which conveys engine power to the propeller shaft, is often calledthe marine gear, the gearbox, or simply the gear. Every engine and transmission leaves the factory with a serial number plate( Fig. 1-1 ) to enable the ordering of parts and service work. Most often theseplates are attached with four small rivets. This same plate often provides theengine's power rating as well. If no serial number plate is visible, begin looking for its original place onthe cylinder block. You'll know you've found it when you see a flat rectangulararea roughly two inches by three inches in size, framed either by four chiseled-off rivets or by the epoxy glue that once held the plate. When this is the case,you will have to get serial number information from the boat's previous owner.If this is not possible, an experienced marine mechanic can inspect theequipment and determine what was stamped on the plate. If the plate is missing and there is no other way, it is worth hiring a mechanicto get you the information that was stamped on it. Don't be tempted to just letit go. You'll need the model and serial number whenever you call a mechanic forhelp. Your mechanic must have accurate information to know how your equipment isconfigured, especially if he or she hasn't worked on that type of engine ortransmission before. It's also vital information when ordering parts. 2. Determine if the boat's transmission has a come-home feature. If it does,know how to engage it. This information will be found in the tra