Preface 1. Introduction - Why you need to look after your engine - Reasons for learning about your engine 2. Principles of the engine - How a diesel and petrol engine works - The difference between a diesel and a petrol engine - What happens if you don't know the difference between a diesel and petrol engine - Anecdote: Putting the wrong fuel into the tank - Video: How diesel and petrol engines work 3. Fuel system - Get to know your fuel system - Looking after your fuel tank - Tips on changing filters - Common symptoms of fuel problems - Anecdote: What happens if you do not look after your fuel - Video: Different types of fuel and contaminated fuel - Video: how to change a fuel filter 4. Cooling system - Differences in types of cooling systems - Getting to know your cooling system - Tips on changing impellers and clearing blocked raw water systems - Common causes of cooling problems - Anecdote: What can happen when the cooling system fails - Video: How to change an impeller and how to check cooling efficiency 5. Air systems - Why air is important to your engine - How your engine accesses air - Common causes of air system problems - Anecdote: What happens when your engine doesn't get enough air - Video: How to change an air filter and air filter examples 6. Engine electrical systems - The basic electrical system - How to look after your electrics - Common causes of electrical failure - Anecdote: What happens if your electrics fail - Video: Battery checks and the basic electrical system 7. Lubrication system - Why lubricating is important - What do we lubricate? - How to look after your lubrication system - Anecdote: What happens if you don't lubricate enough - Video: Where to check oil levels and types of oil 8.
Gear boxes and drives - Shaft drive - Stern drive - Sail drive - Azipod - Outboard 9. Checklists - Checks before starting your engine - Checks once your engine is running - How to protect your engine between visits - Anecdote: What can happen if you forget to prepare your engine - Video: The engine checks 10. Importance of servicing and winterising - Minimum annual service requirements - The importance of servicing your engine - How to leave your engine unused for prolonged periods (winterising) - Anecdote: What can happen if you don't look after your engine - Video: Flushing out the cooling system 11. Most common causes of breakdown - Types of breakdown - Why breakdowns are more common on boats - Tips on preventing breakdowns occurring 12. How to troubleshoot a breakdown situation - Symptoms of different engine faults - What are the most common causes of these faults - Tips on how to diagnose engine faults - Anecdote: Examples of causes of breakdowns - Video: Failed engine parts 13. Spares and tools - Why do we need spares? - What should we keep as spare parts? - Anecdote: What can happen if you keep the wrong parts onboard - Video: Showing examples of spares to keep.