Pre-SeasonMaintenancePre-SeasonMaintenance

Keel Cooled EnginesBeta 14 to Beta 150

Keel Cooled EnginesBeta 14 to Beta 150

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a) The heart of any engine is the starter battery. Hopefullythis was taken ashore at the end of the last season andhas been fully charged up. Put it back in the boat andmake sure the terminals are clean and tight with a smearof petroleum jelly to insulate them from the atmosphere. If you have any doubts about your engine or domesticbatteries, then get these checked at your local garage.

b) The alternator drive belts (Photo 1) must be checkedfor wear and replaced if necessary. Follow the instructionsin the operators manual when adjusting the tension.

Always carry spare belts for both the alternators.

c) Fuse. Yes, your engine is fitted with a small fuse toprotect the harness from shorting out due to abrasionetc... Do you know where it is? Do you have a spare?(Photo 2)

d) Give the instrument panel a check over when theengine is running (see later). A squirt of WD40 into thekey-switch will work wonders if it’s in an exposedposition. Check for leaks in the sealant round the paneland its bulk head mounting. Water getting down the backof the panel is best avoided.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS�

3The oil (Photo 3) and fuel filters need to be changedevery year and this should have been done before theboat was laid up for the winter. If it was not done lastyear then change the oil after running the engine till hot.Hot oil is more easily pumped out. See the operator’smanual.

Always check the oil level after one hour of running andtop up as necessary. Do not overfill!

OIL AND FUEL FILTERS�

The following notes can be used as a checklist to ensure that your engine and associated systems are working correctlyprior to launching.

Pre-Season Maintenance

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4Fuel supply is critical to all diesels. Many startingproblems are due to air leaks in the supply pipe, blockedfuel filter (Photo 4) etc...

Check the supply pipe for any leaks and the fuel waterseparator for water in the fuel due to condensation in thefuel tank. If a fuel / water separator is not fitted then yourun the risk of water getting into the injection system andcausing serious damage!

FUEL SUPPLY�

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Your ‘Operators Manual’ gives details of how this works. A water / antifreeze solution of 50% is used in this closedcircuit system to cool the engine and this must totally fillthe tank and all piping. It is important that the system iscarefully vented, and this includes the two bleed screwsfitted to the top of the keel cooling tank.

Important: Only bleed the system when the engine andcoolant is cold; letting out any air until coolant / antifreezecomes out of the vent, then tighten the bleed screws andcheck for leaks.

KEEL COOLING SYSTEM�

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7The air intake filter (Photo 7) is often ignored. If thepaper element becomes blocked with black carbondeposits, oil etc. then poor combustion and loss of powerwill be the result with a smokey exhaust. Change it for anew one.

AIR FILTER�

This should be checked for lubrication as per the operating instructions. Now is the time to sort out any leaks. A bilgeswimming in water and oil reflects badly on the owner as any water and engine or gearbox oil leaks will not be noticed.A dry bilge will show these very quickly. Check the propeller for weed, plastic bags, etc... by removing the weed hatch.Make sure you put the hatch back!

STERN GREASER�

Having carried out all the previous checks and with the gear lever in ‘netural’ run the engine up to a fast tick over at1500 rpm and check for any leaks. Run the engine for at least 15 minutes so that it is nicely warmed up and checkthat the calorifier is getting hot water. If not then check for kinks in the supply & return pipes and trapped air preventingthe flow of hot water. If all is OK then you are ready to go!

FINAL CHECKS�

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8Every boat should carry an on-board spares kit (Photo 8).This should comprise a spare fuse, anode, fuel and oilfilters and alternator belts.

FINALLY... ‘SHORT VOYAGE’ ON BOARD SPARES KIT�

Have a good season

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Davy Way, Waterwells, Quedgeley, Gloucestershire GL2 2AD, UK

Tel: +44 (0)1452 723 492 Email: sales@betamarine.co.uk Fax: +44 (0)1452 883 742 Website: www.betamarine.co.uk

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