Marine Diesel Basics Video Workshop
Non-technical explanations of all aspects of diesel systems on recreational vessels
Welcome to this workshop. The videos are short, clear, and focused; useful information about how things work without technical overwhelm. The aim is to understand essentials, not become marine mechanics.
All videos are free.
My mission is to get people OUT of the engine room - to enjoy all the reasons we have a boat, whether gliding along a quiet canal or sailing around the world.
The videos are complementary to my popular book Marine Diesel Basics 1 (300+ drawings covering maintenance, lay-up and recommissioning).
Introduction to the Video Workshop
Introducing the new series of short, non-technical videos explaining how marine diesel engines and systems work, best practices and what to look out for.
SHOW how things work, best practices and what to look out for.
Diesel Engine Basics
E1 Five Reasons to Keep a Maintenance Log
E2 How a Diesel Engine Works
Find out why it's important to keep a Maintenance Log for a marine diesel engine and system.
Ever wondered how a diesel engine works? Here's a short, non-technical explanation using simple drawings and animations.
E3 Strokes and Valves
E4 Understanding a Valve Timing Diagram
Confused by talk of diesel engine strokes, cycles, injectors and valves. This video explains what they are and how they work together as our motor turns.
This video explains how a valve timing diagram works, using simple drawings and animations.
E5 Opening and Closing Engine Valves
E6 Timing Belts and Timing Marks
Engines need to breathe in oxygen and breathe out exhaust gases. This is done by valves opening and closing driven by cams on a camshaft and timed to the movement of the piston.
A timing belt (gears or a chain) is used to synchronize the rotation of the crankshaft (and pistons) to the camshaft (and valves) and the diesel fuel injection pump. A correctly installed timing belt is essential to the running of the engine.
Diesel Fuel - circuit, tanks, filters, pumps & more
Every diesel engine needs fuel - but what are the other two functions of diesel in an engine? and what about Cetane, cloud Point and ULSD. In this video we gain a better understanding of what we're putting in our tanks.
Fuel filters are measured in microns - but how small is a micron? This video explains what a micron is, what size of small objects humans can and can't see and why this is relevant to a reliable and robust diesel engine.
Every engine needs fuel - this video explains all the parts of the diesel fuel circuit on a boat, from deck fuel filler to the fuel gauge.
The only time we usually think of the fuel fitting on the deck is when we're ready to put fuel in our tank - yet the fitting plays an important part in keeping water and contamination out the tank. In this video we take a look at fuel filter funnels and refuelling best practices to keep water and contamination our of tanks.
How to select the right hose for diesel fuel lines on a boat - what do the letters and numbers printed ob fuel hoses actually mean?
Over 12 videos planned for this section...
Lubrication - understanding oil, filters and circuits
An in-depth look at all aspects of diesel engine lubrication, including the insides of oil filters, functions of oil, and engine oil circuits.