Philippe, a mechanic at the Chevalier shipyard in La Ville-ès-Nonais (Ille-et-Vilaine), advises us on mechanical winterization.
Lubrication
With a warm engine, it's much easier to change the oil. " Don't question it, replace the oil every winter. Ideally, always use the same oil" .
By the way: "N Don't save money on an oil filter, it too must be changed every year ", recommends Philippe. With a reminder " Grease the oil filter gasket before reassembly, this is the only way to ensure that it does its job properly . "
Finally, " Do not pierce the oil filter with a screwdriver for removal, as this will dirty the hull bottom and injuries are common when doing so. Using a filter wrench makes it easier to remove the filter cleanly ", says the mechanic.
Diesel filtration
Fuel filtration remains a substantial element in the proper functioning of the engine, especially in the case of diesel.
The settling filter is a key component of the fuel system. " Clean the bowl, as it should be done at least once a month, by emptying the water in it. Be careful, this water is polluted, it is out of the question to dump it anywhere! ", adds our consultant. " Clean the felt filter and, if it looks too damaged, replace it. Otherwise, a simple cleaning by removing anything that might be on it is sufficient. "
The engine's diesel filter must be replaced every year, regardless of its condition. " Once the filter has been replaced, remember to bleed and re-pressurize the fuel system to avoid the risk of moisture deposits in the hoses "Philippe explains.
There is no generic method for this purge, each engine and filter system has its own. " It's time to open the maintenance booklet that you have kept in a dry place "adds Philippe.
Cooling
A diesel engine gets very hot and the engine block suffers from expansion and contraction. That's why, after the fuel supply, it's the constant maintenance of the right temperature through the cooling system that makes an engine work well or not.
After the water intake and the circuit in the plumbing sense of the term that you can see working easily ( water circulates and exits through the exhaust ). It is the capacity of the water pump that needs to be checked.
Philippe advises us: " The only way to be sure that the turbine is working is to check its condition. Cracked, fragile to the touch or worse, if a blade is missing, it will have to be replaced by the model recommended by the manufacturer. It is an element which should not be played with, a turbine in degraded state always leads to catastrophes ", warns Philippe. " In the meantime, remember to put some grease on the O-ring and on the water pump seal to facilitate later disassembly. "
Keep the old turbine dry and dark on board the boat You never know, it's a precaution that can really save trouble "adds the one who has known a lot of worries!
Once the primary cooling circuit has been checked (seawater circuit), it will have to be filled with an antifreeze solution. " Antifreeze will prevent the system from oxidizing, which would happen if it were empty. It will also prevent the water from bursting the pipes by expanding under the frost. We use an antifreeze that reduces pollution by 70% if released into the water. We recommend it to all our customers who winterize their motorization ", motivates Philippe before adding: " In any case, do not leave water in the system. Whether it is fresh or salty, it will have a deleterious effect on the cooling pipes. The principle is elementary, pump coolant through the seawater intake and wait for it to start coming out through the drain. Do not let the liquid that comes out run, it must be recovered so as not to pollute! "explains the mechanic who also cares about the environment.
