Importance of post-sailing check

[brak]

Today (as always) opened engine compartment to look inside after a day of sailing (and then driving when the wind died). What do I see, but a nut lying down there below the engine. Well, I don't normally have nuts there so I knew it fell from something. Not a good feeling after running for an hour at high rpm. Long story short, after inspecting it I realized it must be from the alternator somewhere, and sure enough - it was the nut that held the lower alternator bolt. It's a good thing this bolt is pretty long and alternator tension holds it - but still, not good at all. I did slacken it a few weeks ago when I adjusted belt tension, but then I also tightened it. Re-tightened again as hard as I could and will watch it now.

So, check your engine - you never know what shakes out.

[negrini]

Brak, a pre-starting check would help too.

[Rockter]

On my ship, the engine is exposed. I took off all of the panels, and issued everyone with ear defenders. It gets a bit noisy.

It has always made me nervous to have a motor cooped-up in there behind panels.

It's best to be able to check constantly, submarine-style.

I like messing with motors anyway.

[brak]

Originally Posted by negrini

Brak, a pre-starting check would help too.

Yep, and I do that all the time (got to open engine cover to get to intake seacock anyway, plus I usually start the engine and look at it for a few seconds at least). But in this case the missing nut was probably still in place when engine was started.

[timebandit]

Loctite every time every where.

Rick

[brak]

Originally Posted by timebandit

Loctite every time every where.

Rick

I thought about it but decided to try without one more time. There was no locktite on it previously and it is a flanged nut, a kind that should stay put presumably. I'll see if it becomes lose again - then locktite it.