Marine vessels of all shapes and sizes run on diesel, as this fuel is still quite popular at sea. While there are many benefits to diesel usage for boats, there are also some things you should know. Marine diesel services should be visited at least annually, if not more frequently, for every boat that uses the fuel. However, sometimes even that is not enough to detect upcoming problems. Here are a couple of big warning signs that your boat is in need of marine diesel services as soon as you can possibly make it to them.

White Smoke

While white smoke may signal something good in some cases, it is more cause for concern when it comes out of the exhaust of your boat. Typically, black smoke is perfectly normal now and again; however, white smoke indicates some internal problems with how your fuel is being used. Often when white smoke does come out, it doesn't stop until you turn the boat off entirely. Do not let the boat run any more than you have to, and call for a marine diesel expert as soon as you can. This problem only gets worse the longer you try to run it out and can cause engine failure.

Spluttering Engine Not Correcting Itself

A spluttering boat engine is often more common than a smooth-running one, especially on smaller boats, but if this sound and jerkiness never go away then you should be a little bit worried. This is most likely an issue with your filter not properly keeping water or debris out of the fuel intake, or it could be that air is starting to get into your engine. Either option is not immediately threatening but it can cause long-term damage and should be addressed at your earliest opportunity so you don't end up with a big repair to pay for.

Excessive Noise

Diesel engines are quite a bit louder than alternatives, and so a bit of creaking and banging is to be expected. However, as the owner, you should recognise when a sound crosses over from normal into strange. If this sound doesn't go away but gets louder, you should try to stop the boat and investigate a little bit. Sometimes it is just a loose component that can be quickly fixed by yourself. If you can't locate the source, however, don't risk your boats future health as it could be a short while away from a major breakdown. 

For more information, contact a marine diesel service.