Recently we took a class on “Caring for your Diesel Motor” with the Swedish Cruising Association, our sailing club. It was a good overview of how a diesel motor works, and even though Magnus and I are at vastly different levels in terms of understanding a diesel motor, we both learned a lot. Fortunately for us, the motor they had in the classroom was also a Volvo Penta, so although not the same model as ours, it was similar enough that it was easy to understand how everything related to our motor. Lulu has a Volvo Penta 2003 Turbo engine.
Yesterday we performed a full service on the motor, and Magnus let me perform most of the work myself. We changed the main fuel filter and the pre-filter; cleared out the sea-water filter; changed the impeller; changed the oil filter and of course changed all the oil. It was a good follow-up to our class, to perform the practical hands-on shortly afterwards.
Our plan is to have two full service kits on board as spares, just in case. Plus extra belts for the generator, extra coolant, extra hoses, extra fuses… Next planned service will be in Las Palmas before we sail across the Atlantic.