Engine Work

 I took time to learn more about the Yanmar GM20FV engine in my boat. Other than performing the usual routine maintenance each year, I attended at diesel workshop that helped increase my knowledge, mechanical skills, and confidence to inspect and work on the engine more deeply. The workshop was three days; one day lecture followed by two days of hands on with an engine of the same type on a workbench. The students who attended were from all over the country and the skills and knowledge they possessed were at different levels among them.

One can easily notice the head of the engine sitting on a bench in the pictues. The engine head was cleaned by a machine shop - I had the head and heat exchanged cleaned by Kevin Ender of Enders Racing Engines. Kevin is a real pro, and gives his word about getting a job done at a specific time.

The carbon built up in the ports and valves were not extensive, and having the head off the engine gave me the opportunity to grind the valves a bit. I rented a tool from Advanced Auto that made removing the valves from the head very easy. 

The picture to the right shows the valves back in the head. The long  bolts (studs) connect to the fresh water heat exchanger. The fresh water circulating pump is also attached to the head.



While the head was off the engine it received new paint.  Some scale were found to be in the ports. The bundle in the heat exchanger was 25-35 percent blocked with scale; the tubes now clear of any debris.

The engine now has new hoses, and gaskets, and is completely cleaned and painted. Cleaning anything in the engine room takes time because of the small size of the engine room. Good thing tooth brushes do not come in large sizes.

The best part of working on one's own boat engine is getting to really know the engine and having the ability to repair it if needed when out on a voyage.