General maintenance for new owner

[Dave]

I just recently purchased a 1988 Albin 27 with the Izuzu 160HP diesel and am looking for any tips on diesel maintenance that you long time owners may have. I have been searching for and have found quite a bit of info so far but anything specific to Albin boats would be greatly appreciated.

[jcollins]

Dave,
There are others around here that know much more than I. You will receive some replies.
I just wanted to welcome you to the board! Post some pics when you get a chance.

[Mariner]

The rule of thumb with diesels is that you be sure to change the oil and zincs twice a year. Check your strainer before every trip and inspect belts and hoses regularly (when you do oil changes is a good time).

Make the investment in a Racor fuel filter and change it as needed (either yearly, or install a dual filter system where you can quickly switch to a clean filter while underway as soon as it clogs).

I've found that if you simply do the above, any diesel engine will be extremely reliable year after year.

Also, it is obviously critical that you keep salt water off of the engine and it's components. If you do have a leak and salt water, even in small quantities, gets on the engine, rinse the entire thing in fresh water and spray it with WD-40.

[Denis]

I couldn't agree more, keep salt water off of everything and it will make your life much more enjoyable

[chiefrcd]

I don't own a Izuzu but I do own a Yanmar. My mechanic said the single two worse things I could do is not run it....and to let it over heat. These small Japanese engines just don't like to run hot. Even a few moments might ruin the engine.

My preventive maintenance includes exactly what Mariner said and I also keep my cooling system checked and I change my closed water coolant every two years, checking it on the off year to make sure it's ok. I also flush my engine raw water side with fresh water since I'm in salt too. I will soon flush that same side with a product that Yanmar recommends to help clean out scale, rust, salt deposits etc. I also us a synthetic oil and change it justs like you would regular oil, I don't push it past the recommendation for my engine. I have my Yanmar Service Center clean my engine and then I spray it with a product called Boeing 9, I think. Anyway it is made to protect metals and can be bought from Boat US/West Marine. I check my hoses on a regular basis and make sure you have a working and accurate temp. gauge and oil pressure gauge. Then run the engine as much as you can, diesels do not like to sit....they like to be run run run.

Other than that, I've not found much else that I can do to prolong the life of the engine. If you don't have a Izuzu engine manual you might want to try to find one. There are lots of unique requirements regarding changing out timing belts, adjusting your valves, etc. that might help in the future.

Good luck with your new ride and welcome aboard.

[tomcat rio]

http://www.boatdiesel.com

[rt11002003]

of the website www.albincruisers@yahoogroups.com ? The group participants are mostly A25 and A27AC owners. There are at least two owners who have the same engine as yours.

Welcome!

Gene

[Dave]

Thanks for all of the information, I can see that this club will be very useful over the years!

[TD]

I am by no means an expert but here is generally some of what I do for my diesel boat:
1. Change oil & filters every fall with 15W40 delo 400. My ZF tranies use the same fluid and I change that every 3 years. Check engine oil about 4 times/year.
2. Change racor fuel filters with 30micron and spin on with 10micron every year.
3. Check coolant levels about 4 times/year. Flush & replace every 5 years.
4. Check batteries at least once/year-add pure water if needed and clean all terminals.
5. Back flush all cooing exchangers once every 3 years and check/clean sea strainers every year.
6. Replace seawater impellers every 3 years. This replacement depends on where you use boat. If you go in sandy or dirty water than I would change more often. Most of us don't.
7. Replace zincs at least once/year. I check voltage flow at my marina. If it is not in spec. you can eat zincs or aluminum very fast. If you have all bronze and stainless exposure to the water it is not as bad.
8. Check belts every year and replace every 5/years
Generally be alert to any fulid or water leaks and determine if attention is needed. I use a corrosion spray generously on all my terminals/steering fittings below deck and especially the ground buss.
Also be alert to any electrical wires--see if they have been hot or you see any insulation or terminal degradation. The comment about keeping salt water out is very important for keeping corrosion down. There are more things to do but I think these are some of the most important.