The
new Engine Maintenance course 2007 has been put into one ten chapter course that stresses the
diagnosis of modern systems, while also teaching the basics of engine layout
and operation. Gasoline inboards, outboards, and diesel engines are taught in a
way that reinforces the common aspects of how engines work.
Modern
engines offer high reliability and good performance through the use of
computerized systems for fuel delivery and engine timing. Most of these systems
are “black boxes” that can no longer be serviced by weekend mechanics with
ordinary tools. The EM course covers those repairs that do-it-yourselfers can
still perform, teaches how to diagnose problems that might be beyond your
ability to fix, and how to share information with your mechanic so the right
repairs get performed. The new Engine Maintenance 2007 also covers basic
mechanical systems such as drive systems (propellers), steering systems, and
engine controls. The last chapter discusses solutions you might use to problems
that could occur while afloat and away from a repair facility. Gasoline,
diesel, and outboard engines are treated independently in this chapter.