Propulsion engines
MAN marine engine service and pre-purchase survey
MAN marine diesels are high output yacht propulsion engines, and they are exactly the kind of installation where a pre-purchase engine survey earns its fee several times over. I inspect, test and survey them, with particular attention to turbo, aftercooler and exhaust condition.
MAN on this coast
MAN power turns up in larger sportfish and motor yachts here, where the cost of a single unexpected repair can be a substantial fraction of what a survey costs across the whole vessel.
What I see most on these engines
Turbocharger condition
High output engines work their turbos hard. Blade damage and shaft play are findings that need documenting before a purchase.
Aftercooler restriction
Salt fouling reduces charge air cooling, which raises exhaust temperatures and costs power.
Maintenance history verification
On engines this expensive, the service record needs checking against what the engine actually shows internally.
On high output yacht propulsion engines such as MAN, turbocharger blade condition and shaft play are inspected directly during a mechanical marine survey, because turbo failure on these installations is among the most expensive single repairs on the vessel.
Factory certification is held with Volvo Penta. Work on other makes draws on 20 years of independent marine diesel experience rather than a manufacturer programme, and I will say so plainly if a job belongs with a dealer.
Services for MAN owners
Mechanical Marine Surveys
A documented condition report on your propulsion engines and generator, from visual inspection through sea trial.
Diesel Repair
Engine, transmission and generator service on marine diesels, from routine maintenance through a complete repower.
Engine Diagnostics
Find the actual cause before parts get bought, using engine management data, live readings and a borescope.
Other propulsion makes
Volvo Penta
I spent six years at a Volvo Penta dealer and hold Volvo certification, and I began performing marine diesel e...
Caterpillar
Caterpillar marine diesels power a large share of the sportfish and motor yacht fleet on this coast, and they ...
Cummins
Cummins marine diesels are widespread in this region across sportfish, trawler and cruiser installations. I se...
MAN: common questions
Do you service MAN marine engines?
Yes. Over 20 years in marine diesel I have worked across effectively every make of marine engine found on this coast, including MAN. Call with the model and hours and I will tell you honestly whether it is a job I should take or one better sent to a dealer.
Can you survey a boat with MAN engines before I buy it?
Yes. A mechanical marine survey covers compression on every cylinder, engine management data, a sea trial under load and laboratory fluid analysis, regardless of engine make.
Do you carry parts for this brand?
Common service parts for the engines I see most often, yes. Model specific components are ordered once the fault is confirmed, which avoids paying for parts that turn out not to be the problem.
Tell me what the engine is doing
Describe the symptom on the phone and most of the time the problem is narrowed before I arrive. Surveys are booked around your sea trial date.