Lesson routeChecks Before Starting0/4 read
Lesson 1 of 4
Checks Before Starting
Daily checks prevent many diesel failures. They also teach you what normal looks, smells, and sounds like on your engine.
Do the checks before starting while the engine is cool and the compartment is safe to inspect. Follow the manufacturer manual for exact dipsticks, caps, seacocks, belt tensions, and service intervals.
- Check engine oil level and look for leaks.
- Check coolant level on closed-cooling systems when safe and cool.
- Open the seawater intake before starting where fitted.
- Inspect belts, hoses, fuel, bilge, mounts, and loose items.
| Check | Normal expectation | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Oil | Within dipstick marks | Milky oil, very low oil, burnt smell, fresh leak |
| Coolant | Correct level when cool | Low level, staining, sweet smell, crusted leak |
| Belt | Sound, aligned, correctly tensioned | Cracks, dust, glazing, slack, missing teeth |
| Bilge/engine tray | Clean enough to spot changes | Fuel, oil, coolant, or seawater appearing |
Lesson 2 of 4
After Starting
The first minute after starting is critical. Confirm oil pressure warning clears, charging indication is normal, and cooling water appears from the exhaust on raw-water-cooled exhaust systems.
Listen for unusual knocking, belt squeal, vibration, alarms, or exhaust changes. If something is wrong, stop before load and temperature rise.
- Check cooling water flow promptly after starting.
- Check warning lights and alarms behave normally.
- Listen before engaging gear.
- Do not leave the berth with an unexplained warning.
Lesson 3 of 4
Fuel and Water Separator
Where fitted, the water-separating pre-filter is one of the most useful daily checks. Water or dirt in the bowl warns you before the fine filter or injection system is affected.
Drain or service only according to the equipment instructions, with fire safety and spill control in mind. Dispose of contaminated fuel properly ashore.
- Look for water, dirt, bug, or cloudiness.
- Check for fuel leaks around filters and hoses.
- Know which valve shuts off the fuel supply.
- Carry absorbent pads and avoid bilge contamination.
Lesson 4 of 4
Underway Monitoring
Daily checks continue after departure. Watch temperature, oil pressure warning, charging warning, exhaust note, vibration, smell, and cooling water flow when visible.
Small changes matter. A new belt squeal, weaker exhaust water, diesel smell, rising temperature, or unusual vibration is a reason to reduce load and investigate early.
- Know normal temperature and charging behaviour.
- React early to alarms.
- Avoid running hard after a new warning appears.
- Log repeated small faults so they do not become normalised.