Diesel Engine
Marine diesel overhauls in Long Beach and San Pedro: compression testing, valve work, injection service and full inboard rebuilds. Get a quote.
- 2 services
- Labor $150/hr
- Trip fee from $30
- At your slip or in the shop
Marine Diesel Engine Rebuilds in Long Beach and San Pedro
We rebuild marine diesel engines, including Yanmar, Cummins and Volvo Penta, for boats from Marina del Rey to Newport Beach. We work at your slip, dock or storage yard, or at our San Pedro shop.
What the work covers
A diesel engine rebuild starts with teardown, inspection and measurement of the cylinders or liners, pistons, rings, bearings, crankshaft and cylinder heads. We replace what is worn or send it to a machine shop we work with for machining, then reassemble the engine with new gaskets and seals. Parts, machine-shop work and any crane or haul-out needed to take the engine out are listed on your written estimate.
- Cooling: heat exchanger and aftercooler cleaning clears scale and debris that can make a fresh engine run hot.
- Fuel injection: worn injectors or pump timing that is off can cause smoke, hard starting and lost power on a rebuilt engine, so they deserve a check as part of the job. See fuel injector repair.
- Diagnosis first: a compression test and a look at the oil, coolant and exhaust smoke show whether you need a rebuild or a smaller repair. See boat engine repair.
Signs your diesel may need a rebuild
- Hard starting, especially when cold
- Heavy blow-by, or oil pushed out of the breather
- Blue or white smoke that does not clear once warm
- Rising oil use, or coolant in the oil
- The engine will not reach its rated RPM
Questions about diesel rebuilds
Does a diesel have to come out of the boat for a rebuild?
It depends on the engine and the space around it. Some diesels can be overhauled in place, and others have to come out for machine work. The check shows which applies to your boat, and we quote the work before any of it is done.
Why clean the heat exchanger and aftercooler during a rebuild?
A rebuilt engine still runs hot if seawater cannot flow through clogged coolers. On engines with a seawater-cooled aftercooler, a leak can also let water into the intake and damage the engine.
Book a visit: submit a ticket with the boat, where it is kept and what the engine is doing, or call (562) 542-7296.
See also: clogged heat exchanger or aftercooler signs risks and cleaning.
See also: clogged heat exchanger or aftercooler signs risks and cleaning.
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#216 Common question asks
Can you bring back a diesel engine that has been sitting for years?
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Often, yes. We start with a compression test and a check of the fuel, starting and cooling systems, then tell you what can be repaired and what needs replacing, with a written estimate. Old fuel is drained and disposed of, and the fuel system cleaned, before the engine is started.
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#214 Common question asks
Can the overhaul be done with the boat at my dock?
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Yes. Whether your boat is in the water or on a trailer, we come to you in San Pedro, Wilmington, Long Beach, Redondo Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Harbour, Marina del Rey and Newport Beach; farther places on request. Each visit has a one-way trip fee by distance, from $30 in San Pedro to $110 in Newport Beach.
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#212 Common question asks
Do you check the cooling system during an overhaul?
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Yes. Overheating is often caused by a clogged raw-water intake or strainer, a worn impeller or a stuck thermostat. We check the whole cooling system, find the cause and quote the repair before we do it.
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#210 Common question asks
How much does a diesel engine overhaul cost?
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Labor is $150 an hour, plus parts and the trip fee for work at your boat. A diagnosis is at least $300 for each engine; then you get a written estimate for the repair, and nothing is done without your OK.
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#208 Common question asks
What is the difference between repairing a diesel engine and rebuilding it?
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A repair fixes the part that failed, such as an injector, a pump or a gasket. A rebuild takes the engine apart and renews its worn internal parts, such as rings, bearings and gaskets, with any machining done by a machine shop. We tell you which one your engine needs after the diagnosis, with a written estimate.
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#206 Common question asks
Should I rebuild or repower my diesel engine?
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It depends on the engine's condition, its hours and what parts for it cost. We check compression, the fuel and cooling systems and the oil, then give you a written estimate for each option, so you can compare a rebuild with a replacement engine before anything is done.
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