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Chapter 12

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Excerpt

The survey of diesel propulsion engines is a specialty that should be considered separate from the general hull survey.

To perform a thorough survey of a pair of fair-sized diesel engines takes a considerable amount of time.

In most of the larger yachting centers of the U.S., diesel engine surveys are performed by diesel survey specialists, and unless the surveyor is one himself, and has all the necessary diagnostic equipment, he would be wise to leave it to a specialist.

In smaller boating regions, finding a someone competent to perform diesel engine surveys can be a problem. So too, is using mechanics from engine dealers who have an obvious conflict of interest.

This, however, is not the major problem with dealers, which often is that the people they send out are mechanics, not surveyors.

Further, I have run into the problem that most dealer mechanics are experienced with highway vehicle engines and not salt water marine engines.

There were many times when I have seen my client pay a very hefty sum for a machinery survey, only to receive a less than satisfactory survey, often times at truly incompetent levels.

I've had mechanics show up with nothing but a flashlight, no tools, no gauges, no test instruments and not even a piece of paper to take notes on.

The opposite extreme is the professional marine engine surveyor who shows up with three or more cases of equipment and probably knows more about the history of the engine than the people who build it.

There will be times when a client will want the surveyor to perform something less than a full engine survey, and this is okay so long as the surveyor has a solid working knowledge of the subject engines.

This I call a visual inspection and performance test. It will essentially cover many of the aspects discussed below.

Unfortunately, doing this creates the risk that the client will place an over reliance on this limited effort. Therefore, I go to considerable lengths to impress upon him the fact that what I can do is limited, that I am not utilizing a full suite of diagnostic instruments.

Obviously, when one does this, the written report needs to stress these points as well.

Copyright© 2004 David H. Pascoe
(Additional spaces are added for easy screen reading.)





Table of Contents: Chapter 12

12. Gas Engines 255

Gas Engines 257
Pricing Engine Surveys 259
Why Engines Wear Out Prematurely 260
Normal Engine Life 261
Getting Started 262
Basic Diagnostics 262
Compression Tests 263

Visual Inspection 265

Cooling Systems 265
Gasket Leaks 267
Exhaust Risers 267
Carburetors 268
Exhaust Emissions 269
Carbon Monoxide Hazards 269
Pyrometer Checks 270
Stern Drive Boats 271
Vee Drive Installations 271
Lube Oils 271
Oil Analysis 272
Electrical Systems 272

Sea Trial 273




surveying Fiberglass Power Boats Surveying Fiberglass Power Boats
- 2nd Edition

by
Soft Cover
480 pages
Publisher: D. H. Pascoe & Co., Inc.
Published: 2005
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0965649601
ISBN-13: 9780965649605

Price: $34.50
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David Pascoe - Biography

David Pascoe is a second generation marine surveyor in his family who began his surveying career at age 16 as an apprentice in 1965 as the era of wooden boats was drawing to a close.

Certified by the National Association of Marine Surveyors in 1972, he has conducted over 5,000 pre purchase surveys in addition to having conducted hundreds of boating accident investigations, including fires, sinkings, hull failures and machinery failure analysis.

Over forty years of knowledge and experience are brought to bear in following books. David Pascoe is the author of:

In addition to readers in the United States, boaters and boat industry professionals worldwide from over 70 countries have purchased David Pascoe's books, since introduction of his first book in 2001.

In 2012, David Pascoe has retired from marine surveying business at age 65.

On November 23rd, 2018, David Pascoe has passed away at age 71.

Biography - Long version

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