Orion Specifications - Engine
December 2008
Orion is a sailboat, however, we rely on its diesel engine for traveling in narrow channels, making long distances in a reasonable time regardless of wind, and docking. Thus it's important to ensure that the engine is fully operational at all times. We have upgraded its systems, promptly performed routine maintenance, and carry spare parts.
Fortunately, diesel engines are very reliable and require minimal maintenance. One of the first things we did in 2005 was hire a Yanmar mechanic, to perform all the necessary maintenance while teaching David how to do it. He spent half a day changing the oil, oil filter, air filter, engine fuel filter, and transmission filter while checking out everything else. He identified the need to upgrade our engine raw water hoses from the French soft hoses to ones that are metal reinforced so that they can't collapse under pressure.
During the summer of 2006, we upgraded our raw water hoses to the proper U.S. reinforced hoses. Since we had previously experienced a problem when our diesel air vent hose collapsed, we upgraded this to a metal reinforced hose, too. Also, we added a relay to make starting the engine easier and changed the engine antifreeze.
During the summer of 2007, we had a compression test performed and our injectors rebuilt. The compression readings were very good (413, 415, and 420). Note: anything over 400 is considered good. Other work included changing our engine belts, impeller, and an upgrade of our Racor fuel filter.
We started cruising with a Racor R20S fuel filter. Although this is a good fuel filter, it can be difficult to change and the filters are expensive. Since most fuel problems occur during rough seas, when you least want to change a fuel filter, we chose an easier solution. Our new Racor 75500MAX allows us to switch to a new fuel filter with the flip of a lever without stopping the engine. In addition, one of the fuel filters can be changed while the engine is running and doesn’t require bleeding the engine to bring it back online. An added bonus is that the filters for it are significantly cheaper than our old filters.
Fortunately, diesel engines are very reliable and require minimal maintenance. One of the first things we did in 2005 was hire a Yanmar mechanic, to perform all the necessary maintenance while teaching David how to do it. He spent half a day changing the oil, oil filter, air filter, engine fuel filter, and transmission filter while checking out everything else. He identified the need to upgrade our engine raw water hoses from the French soft hoses to ones that are metal reinforced so that they can't collapse under pressure.
During the summer of 2006, we upgraded our raw water hoses to the proper U.S. reinforced hoses. Since we had previously experienced a problem when our diesel air vent hose collapsed, we upgraded this to a metal reinforced hose, too. Also, we added a relay to make starting the engine easier and changed the engine antifreeze.
During the summer of 2007, we had a compression test performed and our injectors rebuilt. The compression readings were very good (413, 415, and 420). Note: anything over 400 is considered good. Other work included changing our engine belts, impeller, and an upgrade of our Racor fuel filter.
We started cruising with a Racor R20S fuel filter. Although this is a good fuel filter, it can be difficult to change and the filters are expensive. Since most fuel problems occur during rough seas, when you least want to change a fuel filter, we chose an easier solution. Our new Racor 75500MAX allows us to switch to a new fuel filter with the flip of a lever without stopping the engine. In addition, one of the fuel filters can be changed while the engine is running and doesn’t require bleeding the engine to bring it back online. An added bonus is that the filters for it are significantly cheaper than our old filters.
We routinely change our engine's oil filter, oil, and transmission oil every 100 hours. Since, the Racor fuel filter ensures that the engine only receives quality fuel, we only change the engine fuel filter annually. Our schedule for changing the Racor fuel filter is still being determined, but it has been recommended that we change it with every oil change.
We carry a number of spare parts. These parts include sufficient oil and oil filters to perform a couple of oil changes and several Racor fuel filters. Our inventory includes an engine fuel filter, antifreeze, old raw water hoses, air filter, bleed screw, impellers, zincs, and set of belts. In addition, we carry a few of the larger items that can cause a problem. They include:
1. Alternator: picked up from a dealer that was upgrading a customer's boat to a high output alternator.
2. Injector: we only carry one injector, vacuum-sealed to ensure it doesn't corrode. Also, we carry a complete set of injector lines.
3. Starter: when we installed the new starter, we kept the existing starter that worked fine with our house batteries.
4. Transmission: we carry the transmission that was beginning to fail when it was replaced with a new transmission. Although this transmission has some problems, it is better than no transmission.
5. Water pump: it is much easier (and quicker) to replace the entire water pump if the impeller fails.
6. Engine fuel pump with its associated washers and gasket.
After our annual engine maintenance in 2008, we began to experience starting problems. Generally, we had to bleed the fuel line after turning the engine off for a few hours. It turns out that Yanmar issued a Service Advisory in 2000 that addressed hard-starting Yanmar 3GM30 Series. As soon as we made the modifications in the advisory, our hard-starting problems were eliminated.
In 2012, we experienced a problem with cylinder #1 that required the engine to be rebuilt. In April 2013, the freshly re-built engine was installed and runs great!
We carry a number of spare parts. These parts include sufficient oil and oil filters to perform a couple of oil changes and several Racor fuel filters. Our inventory includes an engine fuel filter, antifreeze, old raw water hoses, air filter, bleed screw, impellers, zincs, and set of belts. In addition, we carry a few of the larger items that can cause a problem. They include:
1. Alternator: picked up from a dealer that was upgrading a customer's boat to a high output alternator.
2. Injector: we only carry one injector, vacuum-sealed to ensure it doesn't corrode. Also, we carry a complete set of injector lines.
3. Starter: when we installed the new starter, we kept the existing starter that worked fine with our house batteries.
4. Transmission: we carry the transmission that was beginning to fail when it was replaced with a new transmission. Although this transmission has some problems, it is better than no transmission.
5. Water pump: it is much easier (and quicker) to replace the entire water pump if the impeller fails.
6. Engine fuel pump with its associated washers and gasket.
After our annual engine maintenance in 2008, we began to experience starting problems. Generally, we had to bleed the fuel line after turning the engine off for a few hours. It turns out that Yanmar issued a Service Advisory in 2000 that addressed hard-starting Yanmar 3GM30 Series. As soon as we made the modifications in the advisory, our hard-starting problems were eliminated.
In 2012, we experienced a problem with cylinder #1 that required the engine to be rebuilt. In April 2013, the freshly re-built engine was installed and runs great!
