We are working through our list of jobs (slowly) to get Njord ready for the sailing season.

This week was the engine service. In the Med we motor more than we sail as we either have no wind, light winds and we need some to get Njord's 14 tons moving or we have too much wind. This winter we have had far more strong winds than last and on several occasions have seen gusts of 50-60 knots through the marina, but that was nothing to do with the engine service!

Anyway back to the engine service, Alan Ganter a great marine engineer came to service Njord's engine. We have a Yanmar 56hp engine with 1277 hours of usage. We had the standard oil change, and impeller change which was not split at all and looked to be in good condition, so it has gone into our emergency spares kit.

Our coolant is the Yanmar long life pink but we could not source any easily in Sicily or Malta or via Amazon so we decide to go for a full flush through and start again with a Coolant that we can source. We bought in 15 litres via an Amazon order of Motul Inugel Expert. You cannot mix coolants, topping up in an emergency is ok if pushed apparently, but not for the whole system. Alan drained down the system, flushed it through with water and refilled. The next flushout will be in 2/3 years time. The next task was to get rid of the old stuff. Luckily the boat yard in the marina will take it away for a small cost per litre.

Alan looked at the exhaust elbow and ours is fine for the time being, but we are going to get a spare for a change next year.

We have a serpentine belt which is still in good condition and no need to replace it.

The gear oil was changed and then on hearing a good purring sound from the engine all was done and one more task completed.