Jerry Armitage is planning to replace his boat engine, but will the old propeller work? PBO expert Tony Davies has the answer
engines
Is the old dynastart a good charger?
PBO reader Will Kerr has an old dynastart and wants to know if it will be able to charge his batteries. Stu Davies has the answer
Diesel Dipper review: Can this fuel tank cleaner help avoid breakdowns?
For clean fuel you need a clean tank, Tony Davies tries out the Diesel Dipper from Marine 16, which promises to provide a solution
Diesel shelf life and the infamous bug
Julian Orchard wants to know what the shelf life is for diesel and what he can do to prevent diesel bug. Stu Davies answers his question
How to choose the right electric boat engine
Electric propulsion is clean, near silent and can even be self-refuelling, but is it worth the investment? Jake Kavanagh considers the options
How do I tell if an old boat engine is beyond repair?
Is it worth buying a boat with a non-running engine? Vyv Cox has some tips on what to look for before deciding if it’s a viable project
Boat exhaust temperature alarm: how to fit one to your boat
Gilbert Park installs a temperature monitor and alarm to prevent costly exhaust hose damage in the event of impeller failure
Marine alternator troubleshooting
Ali Wood gets to grips with Maximus’s faulty electrical system after some unexpected failures made an appearance on passage
Refurbishing a boat alternator
James Wood removes Maximus’s alternator and gets it repaired
Loss of engine power under load: expert advice to solve the problem
Anne Cees Houtman has a problem with a loss of engine power under load. PBO's engine whisperer, Stu Davies thinks he has the answer
Petrol or diesel, inboard or outboard: which boat engine is best?
When it comes to a boat engine, which is best? Petrol or diesel, inboard or outboard? Stu Davies answers your questions
I need help understanding my marine alternator! Ask the experts
PBO reader Paul Farr wants help in understanding his marine alternator. Engine whisperer Stu Davies comes to his aid
Cleaning a diesel tank: a practical guide
Richard Barnard braves the mess and overcomes key challenges for the satisfaction of a clean fuel tank, free from sediment and sludge
Why does boat engine oil need changing? What if we didn’t change it?
Why do we change our boat engine oil? A seemingly innocuous question I was asked a few months ago. Because we do? Because it’s dirty? Because the handbook says so?…
Replace or rebuild? How to tell if your old boat engine is salvageable
Most of us will know someone – and may have been that someone ourselves – with a rusty, rattly, oily or smoking marine diesel engine. The sort of old boat…
What’s the best boat fuel? Is it worth paying for premium? Ask the experts
PBO reader Roy Gwilliam asks: “I have a Yanmar 3YM20 engine in my Dehler 32, built in 2010. I generally use red diesel with the belief that it does not…
Dispose or polish? What to do with old diesel – Ask the experts
PBO reader Martyn Crossland asks: “I have a 1989 Beneteau Oceanis 320 that I bought in Greece in 2009. I spent two months restoring her, and then had two months…
Warning: E10 petrol and older boat engines don’t mix
Fears are that older boat petrol engines – both outboard and inboard – filled with E10 could be caught out in a dangerous situation.
Common rail diesel engines explained: Should I install one on my boat?
Common rail diesel engines have been used in boats and trains since the 1940s, and were given more development for road vehicles in the late 1960s. However, not many smaller…
Cloudy diesel: What is making my fuel turn more orange than usual?
The red diesel in the bowl of my primary filter looks cloudy and has a more orange colour than normal. There is no sign of water in the bowl. I…