Universal Marine Engine Maintenance Schedule

Universal Marine Engine Maintenance Schedule. M-25XPBC. The engine is fresh water cooled (engine coolant) by an engine-mounted heat exchanger. Seawater is pumped through the heat. exchanger by a gear-driven, positive displacement impeller pump. After the seawater cools the engine coolant in the heat exchanger, it mixes with the engine’s exhaust gases, cools the exhaust gases, and discharges overboard.

The engine’s coolant is circulated by a belt-driven centrifugal-type metal impeller pump mounted on the front of the engine. The engine’s coolant temperature is thermostatically controlled. The engine’s coolant must be changed according to the maintenance schedule. Universal Marine Engine Cooling System Maintenance – mechanic (sbmarinemechanic.com) If the coolant is allowed to become contaminated, it can lead to overheating problems.  serviced by our trained technicians at Santa Barbara Marine Diesel Mechanic. servicing, Oxnard, Ventura, Channel Islands Harbor & Santa Barbara.

DAILY CHECK BEFORE START-UP:

• Coolant Level: Check at recovery tank, if empty, check at manifold. Add coolant if needed.
• Engine Oil level: Oil level should indicate between MAX and LOW on dipstick. Do not overfill!
• Fuel/Water Separator: Check for water and dirt in fuel. Drain filter if necessary. Replace filter every 250 operating hours or once a year.
• Fuel Supply: Use properly filtered #2 diesel with a Cetane rating of #45 or higher. Check that there is adequate fuel for the vessel’s needs.
• Visual Inspection of Engine: Check for fuel, oil and water and exhaust leaks. Check that the water injected exhaust elbow securing v-clamp is tight. No exhaust leaks around the elbow. Inspect wiring and electrical connections. Look for loose bolts/hardware and correct as needed.
• Drive Belts: Inspect for frayed edges. Belts must be properly tensioned.

EVERY 50 OPERATING HOURS OR MONTHLY:

• Drive Belt:  inspect for proper tension (3/8″ to 1/2″ deflection) and adjust if needed. Check belt.
  for slipping, cracking and wear. Adjust tension or replace as needed. Replace cover.
• Fresh Water Pump/Seawater Pump: Check for leaks
• Starling Batteries: Check electrolyte levels Make sure cables and connections are in good order. Clean off corrosion if needed. Apply petroleum jelly to terminals for corrosion protection.
• Electric Fuel Pump: Inspect, no leaks. Connections are clean and tight. Clean/replace filter element if applicable.
• Zinc Anodes: Inspect and clean zinc anode. Replace if necessary. Note the condition, then determine your own inspection schedule.

EVERY 100HRS OR YEARLY:

• Air Intake Filter: Inspect, clean and replace as needed.
• Heat Exchanger: Inspect and clean zinc anode. Note the condition, then determine your own schedule. If zinc anode needs replacing, you should remove the end cap and clean out the debris.
  Replace zinc if necessary.
• Key Switch (Instrument Panel): lubricate with lockeze or Vaseline.
• Drive Belts: Inspect for proper tension (3/8″ to 1/2″ deflection) and adjust if needed. Check belt
  for slipping, cracking and wear. Adjust tension or replace as needed. Replace cover.
• Starting Batteries: Check electrolyte levels Make sure cables and connections are in good order. Clean off corrosion if needed. Apply petroleum jelly to terminals for corrosion protection.
• Electric Fuel Pump: Inspect, no leaks. Connections are clean and tight. Clean/replace filter element if applicable.
• Seawater Pump: Inspect impeller, check drive shaft security. Inspect there is no shaft water or oil seal leaks.

250 OPERATING HOURS OR YEARLY:

• Transmission: Change fluid at 300 operating hours. Lubricate control cable and check attachment.
• Engine Oil: Change the engine oil and oil filter (always together) every 200 hours or yearly.
• Fuel Filter & O-rings: Remove and replace fuel filter and all sealing 0-rings:
• Inlet Fuel Filter: Remove and replace inlet fuel filter.
• DC Alternator: Check mounting bracket, tighten electrical connections.
• Electric Fuel Pump: Inspect, no leaks. Connections are clean and tight. Clean/replace filter element if applicable.
• Vibration Isolators/Engine Mounts: Check vibration isolators, brackets and mounting hardware. Replace as needed.
• Heat Exchanger: Inspect zinc anode replace if necessary.
• Seawater System: Flush with Descaling solution.
• Exhaust Elbow/Exhaust System: Check the structural integrity of the seawater injected exhaust elbow casting. Check the integrity of the exhaust system attached to the elbow. All hose connections should be secure. No chaffing. No exhaust leaks. Hoses and muffler are in good serviceable condition.

500 OPERATING HOURS OR YEARLY:

• Fuel Injectors: Check and adjust injection opening pressure and spray conditions.
• Coolant System: Drain, flush and re-fill the cooling system with appropriate antifreeze mix.
• Seawater System: Flush with Descaling solution.
• Valve Clearances: Adjust valves. (Incorrect valve clearance will result In poor engine performance)
• Starter Motor: Check solenoid and motor for corrosion. Remove and lubricate. Clean and lubricate the starter motor pinion drive.
• Seawater pump: Remove from engine, remove cover and inspect cam and wear plate &. Replace any components showing wear. If needed, replace impeller and gasket. Lubricate when reassembling.
• Pre-heat circuit: Check operation of the pre-heat. Remove and clean the glow plugs. Re-Install with anti-seize compounds on threads.
• Engine/Shaft Alignment: Check security of the shaft coupling and check shaft alignment.
• Crank Case Vent: Clean crank case vent components located inside the rocker cover. Replace filter element as needed.
• Check ball joint: nyloc nuts for tightness on both. gearbox and speed control levers.

1000hrs OR EVERY 5 YEARS:

• Heat Exchanger: Remove the heat exchanger for professional cleaning and pressure testing. Change the antifreeze and flush the system.
• Adjusting the Valve Clearances: Adjust the Valves.
• Positive Crankcase Ventilation Valve: Disassemble and clean. Replace as needed.
• Fuel Injectors: Pressure test injectors/re-build at 1500 hours.
• Transmission Oil Cooler (as applicable): Remove and have professionally tested and cleaned.
• Starter Motor: Remove, clean and lubricate the drive.
• Transmission Damper Plate: Inspect the damper plate, replace if necessary (damper plate chatter at Idle speed Is an indication of damper spring wear).

NOTE: These are UNIVERSAL Marine periodic maintenance recommendations strait out of the service manual. Some of these seem excessive to me such as, Fuel Injectors: Check and adjust injection opening pressure and spray conditions every year. here at Santa Barbara Marine Diesel Mechanic, we can customize your diesel engines periodic maintenance to fit your needs. Universal Marine Engine Maintenance Schedule.

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