Hunter 31, Owner'S Manual, Page: 22 / 138

SAFE BOATING TIPS
PAGE
15
DIESEL ENGINE
An engine owner's manual is supplied
with your boat and should be read thor-
oughly. It contains technical specifica-
tions, running instructions and a mainte-
nance schedule on lubricants and fluids.
For long engine life, follow routine main-
tenance schedules.
You should check engine oil, transmis-
sion fluid and coolant levels. Water, rust,
scale and dirt will cause serious damage
to the injectors on diesel engines. You
should check your filters frequently and
change when necessary. Check fuel line
connections for proper tightness.
EXPLOSION/FIRE HAZARD
–
Fuel sys-
tem connections that are to loose or to
tight can leak, resulting in fuel loss, envi-
ronmental pollution and explosion/fire
hazard.
EXTREME HAZARD: carbon monoxide
gas (CO) is colorless, odorless and ex-
tremely dangerous. All engines and fuel
burning appliances produce CO as ex-
haust. Direct and prolonged exposure to
CO will cause BRAIN DAMAGE or
DEATH. Signs of exposure to CO include
nausea, dizziness and drowsiness. Refer
to BOATING SAFETY for more informa-
tion.
When you start your engine, run it a
minimum of 15 minutes to bring it up to
operating temperature. This insures that
any condensation is evaporated. Your
engine should
“
run out
”
at ¾ throttle at
least once a month to clean out carbon
buildup and moisture.
FUELING YOUR DIESEL ENGINE
EXPLOSION/FIRE HAZARD

Store flammable material in safety-
approved containers. Keep containers in
a locker designed by the boat manufac-
turer for that purpose. Never store flam-
mable material in a non-vented space.

Observe
“
No-Smoking
”
while fueling.

Run exhaust blower at least 4 minutes
before starting engine. Check bilge and
engine compartments for fumes.

Keep ventilation system free of obstruc-
tions. Never modify the vent system.

Fill less than the rated capacity of the
tank. Allow for fuel expansion.

If fuel enters bilge, do not start engine.
Determine cause and severity. Contact a
knowledgeable marine service to remove
fuel. Do not pump overboard. Contact
Coast Guard for additional advice (See
Environmental Considerations Fuel & Oil
Spillage.)

Inspect fuel system regularly for leaks.
Follow engine manufacturer
’
s recom-
mendations for types of fuel and oil. Use
of improper products can damage the
engine and void the warranty.
Notice: Use fresh fuel. Fuel that has
been in a tank too long can form gum
and varnish, which may affect perform-
ance.
Inspect diesel fuel filters regularly. Die-
sel fuel must be kept as clean as possi-
ble. Keep fuel tank full.