Liveaboard Boater Repairs Her Perkins M20 Diesel

This is for Perkins M20, and other small marine diesel, owners. Though it's not a complete play-by-play instructional, hopefully this is helpful to other cruisers who prefer to do their own repairs. Female singlehanded cruising sailor & small 2-cycle outboard mechanic, Rebecca Burg, changes a blown head gasket on her sailboat, Angel, while "in the field". She works for a living and cruises on a schedule, so her diesel is a valuable resource when the wind fails to blow.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• female singlehanded sailor
• live aboard cruiser
• liveaboard boat
• Perkins diesel 100 series
• Perama M20
• marine diesel
• head gasket howto diy sailing

[AngelsTravels]

thanks guys! The clues about the valves being out o' adjustment were: eng. cranked way too easily w/o firing (sign of no compression) and the new head gasket was thinner than the old- which changes where the push rods close the rocker arms. Also, facing the mating surfaces took off some material & changed the space. With my lack o' experience with valves though, I didn't realize this at first.

[FullyLaidBack]

u go girl !!

[DontPanic6X7]

Wonderfully self-reliant, Bravo

[desertfeathers]

Thanks, Great vid

[tomperanteau]

I gotta replace a head gasket on my Yanmar. I feel your pain!

[LazyJack5]

Best feeling in the world when that sucker cranks over and start purrrrrring.

[Superpickle1st22nd]

Good going Sweetheart.. YEAHH.. ;-)

[divisioneight]

Wow - fixing a small diesel at anchor. You got my respect and admiration for such a daunting task. I had a 9.9 2 stroke Merc on my sailboat and couldn't figure the thing out. You shame me ma'am! :-)

Great work and safe passages to you and your vessel.

[yachtnick05]

Good job thanks

[tiaramisu]

The sound of a repaired engine coming to live is sweet music!