Maintenance and Service:

 Survey inspections and reports are a "snapshot in time".

Engines, transmissions, gearcases, gensets and other machinery require regular maintenance and service to remain in good reliable working order. Many vessel and yacht buyers opt to have their machinery serviced immediately after taking possession so that they will have a fresh service baseline with their equipment, and therefore they will know the exact service status of their machinery. A service interval of one year, or annually, is generally considered the maximum service interval for vessel machinery. Consult the machinery owner's manuals for guidance.

EXHAUST SYSTEMS-

All exhaust systems require regular monitoring and service. Hose clamps can rust and break. Hoses can chafe and deteriorate from age, heat, lack of water flow, and the pressure pulses from the engine exhaust. I have seen exhaust hose actually delaminate and rupture from these affects. Metallic manifolds, risers, adaptors and outlets can deteriorate from heat, rust and corrosion. Plastic and fiberglass exhaust componentry can deteriorate from heat, vibration, exhaust gas pulsing, and begin to leak. Engine cooling raw water discharge is often routed into the exhaust systems to provide for cooling of the exhaust gases while they flow through the vessel's exhaust system. A leak in the exhaust system can result in a tremendous quantity of engine cooling system raw water being discharged into the bilges. All engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a very dangerous gas. Carbon monoxide poisoning mimics the symptoms of motion or seasickness, and can lead to death. Any exhaust system leak poses a real threat of carbon monoxide poisoning, and raw water flooding. 

Gasoline engine exhaust manifolds and risers can clog or leak internally, causing dangerous blockages that, in extreme cases, can cause engine space fires. Internal corrosion can occur, allowing water to leak into the engine, causing expensive damage.  Gasoline engine exhaust manifolds and risers should be dis assembled and inspected for deterioration at least every 4-5 years. All gasoline engine exhaust systems components should be inspected regularly for discoloration, deterioration, and leakage. 

Diesel engine exhaust system components, especially on turbocharged engines, are exposed to a tremendous amount of heat and corrosive salt water- They require constant inspection to find areas of discoloration, deterioration or leakage. Any significant disruption of cooling water flow into an exhaust system can rapidly result in an overheating condition that can burn through hoses, resulting in possible flooding and in some cases, fire. Diesel engine exhaust systems should be inspected regularly for discoloration, deterioration, and leakage.

Proper routine maintenance and service can help prevent many safety risks, expensive break downs and damage, and alert your service provider to an issue before it becomes more dangerous,  complicated and expensive to repair.