Marine Diesel Engines

by Nigel Caler

• Hardcover
• 256 pages
• Published September 12, 2006

If you own a small marine diesel engine that you depend on—at least occasionally—this book was written for you. Nigel Calder, a diesel mechanic of many years experience, a good writer and perceptive teacher has written a guide that is clear, logical and actually interesting. A boatowner born with a monkey wrench in his hand will find Marine Diesel Engines useful and agreeable; a mechanical illiterate will find it a godsend.

Here in nine extensively illustrated chapters is everything you need to keep you diesel engine running cleanly and efficiently—saving you a world of frustration, discomfort, and even peril, not to mention time-and-a-half weekend mechanics charges.

Contents

1. Principles of Operation
2. Details of Operation
3. Routine Maintenance: Cleanliness is Next to Godliness
4. Troubleshooting: Failure to Start
5. Troubleshooting: Overheating, Smoke, Loss of Performance, and Other Problems
6. Repair Procedures: Cooling, Exhaust and Injection Systems
7. Repair Procedures: Decarbonizing
8. Marine Transmissions
9. Engine Selection and Installation
10. Appendix A: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
11. Appendix B: Tools
12. Appendix C: Spare Parts
13. Appendix D: Useful Tables
14. Appendix E: Freeing Frozen Parts and Fasteners

Reviews

One of the best books on marine diesels to appear in some time. — Ocean Navigator

The most up-to-date and readable book we've seen on the subject. — Sailing World

Even if you never intend to put a spanner near your engine, and know your mechanics home phone number by heart, this book deserves a place on any diesel-powered boat. — Motor Boat & Yachting, London

Clear, logical, and even interesting to read. — Cruising World

Author Biography

Nigel Calder, a diesel mechanic for more than 25 years, is also a boatbuilder, cabinetmaker, and machinist. He and his wife built their own cruising sailboat, Nada, a project they completed in 1984. Calder is author of numerous articles for Yachting World, National Fisherman and other magazines as well as four other international marine books that have guided tens of thousands of boatowners worldwide—Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical Manual, Repairs at Sea, Refrigeration for Pleasureboats and The Cruising Guide to the Northwest Caribbean.