What's happening at French Marine

BRAVO EUGENIA

Every once in a while, a job comes along that eclipses everything else. As a sparkling finale to 2019, I’d like to share an incredible assignment that we recently sent James and Lee to attend

Scania Service on A DI12 And Leak Investigation On The Exhaust Manifold

Simon and Ross have been on their travels again, this time to quaint Old Leigh in Essex. They completed a service on a  Scania DI12 and a leak investigation, involving the exhaust manifold.  After

A Leaky KM2P Gearbox And A Yanmar 3YM20 Engine Losing Coolant

Double bubble visit to Kent, for Ross this week. His first visit, was to a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 with a leaky KM2P-1 gearbox on it’s Yanmar 2YM15 engine. He removed the gearbox, changing

Oyster LD43/09 With Twin Yanmar 6LY3-ETP Engines

Look familiar? This Oyster LD43/09 with twin Yanmar 6LY3-ETP engines, is the same model that appeared in Iron Man 3. Simon, after recovering from this revelation, attended to fault codes, that were

Newly Machined Output Shaft Complete

Remember the output shaft Pete was making, for the obsolete, mystery gearbox?  Well look at it now!  There will be Joy and goodwill from our customer, I’m sure. If you’re

Cockle Boat Propeller

The jolly old geezer, might be about to pop down the chimney, but work still goes on at French Marine Motors. Here’s a jolly, not so old geezer, Pete the Prop. He’s giving a general clean

French Marine Motors Opening Hours Christmas 2019

Here are French Marine Motors, opening hours over Christmas and the new year. You never know when you might need an urgent trip to a chandlery, the 7th emergency service.  

Pre Delivery Inspection On A Yanmar 4JH80-CR Onboard An Oyster Yacht

A magnificent, as yet unnamed, Oyster yacht, is having it’s pre delivery inspection (PDI), at a marina in Suffolk this morning. The Yanmar 4JH80-CR has been subject to the following checks by

Volvo Penta 4.3GI High Pressure Fuel Pump Issues

These twin Volvo Penta 4.3GI gasoline engines, didn’t seem happy, one was most definitely not making a very content sound. As soon as the engine was run at a higher revolution, it would choke

French Marine Motors Bespoke Fabrication

It’s all about Pete today! Recently, French Marine Motors, had an unusual request to provide a selection of lacing hooks, just like industrial crochet hooks! These will be used to tightly lace

French Marine Motors Fabrication And Machine Shop.

French Marine Motors, often get asked to produce one off, unique items, totally unavailable elsewhere. As I’ve often said, our Pete is a clever bloke, this week he has been remanufacturing an

A Yanmar SD25 Saildrive. Emulsified Oil Issue.

  Eggnog anyone? Don’t mind if I do.  What a messy carry on, in Burnham-On-Crouch yesterday. Simon was wading, unaided though gallons of emulsified Eggnog. The poor Yanmar SD25

Yanmar Hybrid 6LY400CR Panel Display Issue

Simon is in Kent today, looking at twin, Yanmar Hybrid 6LY400CR engines, onboard a pilot vessel. These have been coupled up to a trans fluid power system, which allows the electric drive, to cut to

French Marine Motors Outboard Specialists

“The open fire crackles and roars, as the roasting chestnuts begin to steam and split.  Twinkling tree lights catch the flecks of ice in the snow, as it begins to settle against the freezing

We Test 12 V and 24 V Alternators And Starter Motors

Did you know that amongst the myriad of services we offer our customers, we also test 12V and 24V alternators and starter motors? Here’s one now. Vrooooooom.  

New Volvo Penta D6-380 Engines, Delivered For a Boat Builder

I’ve something to confess, I think we’re at that point in our relationship where we can share secrets, don’t you? I always prod the presents under the Christmas tree. I know, I

Winterisation of a Yanmar 3YM20

Winter has truly started to bite, and as the first November frost shows it’s brittle beauty, now is the time for winterisation. Simon took this bleak shot as he attended the winterisation of a

A BUKH DV48 RME Service On A Polar Expedition Vessel

Bagsy the rights for this Christmas film plot. An ordinary, unassuming, ex lifeboat with a BUKH DV48 RME engine, is having a very unusual refit in Benfleet.  Ross went to carry out a full service

Anode Replacement And Service On A Volvo Penta Engine With Volvo Penta IPS Drives.

Brightlingsea was the location of the main service for this Janneau Prestige 460, with Volvo Penta IPS drives. Simon replaced the drive oils, along with the addition of new anodes and an obligatory

Yanmar 4LH Water Pump Impeller Overheating

Oh blimey, that doesn’t look good. A working pilot boat had a bad case of the overheats, we suspect it may well have been caused by a plastic bag inhibiting the water inlet. Unfortunately, plastic

Altering The Pitch Of A Propeller

‘Pete the Prop’, is a clever bloke. He works quietly and methodically attending to his propellers, he’s the sort of bloke that can turn his hand to anything and here he is, turning his

Volvo Penta V6 AQ205 Exhaust Joint Leak

There’s a leak in my rear, complained our customer, referring to his Volvo Penta V6 petrol engine (AQ205). Simon avidly watched the engine as it idled but nothing noticeable seemed awry. Once

*French Marine Motors now distribute Integrel - Advanced Generator Replacement Technology.

*French Marine Motors now distribute Integrel - Advanced Generator Replacement Technology. We are delighted to announce an exciting distribution partnership between French Marine Motors and Triskel

Yanmar 6LY-UTE Charge Issue On A Hardy 40DS

And finally today on our marine engineering odyssey, we have a Yanmar 6LY-UTE engine, comfortably nestled inside a Hardy 40DS. The laptop plugin data only displayed an engine charge issue, but a burnt

MerCruiser 3.0 Top End Rebuild

Some of the eclectic bunch of marine engineers who inhabit French Marine Motors, are particularly camera shy. Here is a rare glimpse of Ross C in action. He’s checking the dynamic valve adjust or

Diesel Bug Problems With A Yanmar 6LYA Engine

Hands up who wants to see diesel bug poo? Me! Me!  I have to say I was very disappointed to discover that diesel bug contamination was caused by condensation penetrating the fuel, and not something

A Yanmar 4JH4-E Onboard A Najad 380 Has A Burnt Out Loom

Ross went aboard a Najad 380 last week, here in blustery, Brightlingsea Essex. The customer had lost all power to the engine panel and was unable to start the Yanmar 4JH4-E engine. Rather helpfully,

Perkins HT6.354 145hp Engine With A BorgWarner Drive

There’s something exquisitely palpable when a vintage vessel and its engine begin the long road to renovation and restoration. On our latest visit to this Norfolk built motor cruiser, we went

A Slipping Yanmar KM2P-1 Gearbox

This Yanmar KM2P-1 gearbox has been slipped because it was stripping or was that stripped because it was slipping? Anyway in this instance the ahead gear was the problem. Once all the component parts were

Southampton Boat Show 2019 EP Barrus Yanmar Stand

The Southampton Boat Show 2019 is off to a great start. Simon is spending this years show with team EP Barrus Yanmar on stand E050. There I was trying on some shoes,(ping) they make me look like

VW 150-5 Engine Starting Issue

Gumming isn’t just something your puppy does to a slipper, “ Drop it. Bad dog. Grrrrrr “. This serene looking vessel with a VW 150-5 engine, wouldn’t issue fuel under pressure.

Yamaha F25 AET Outboard Won’t Start

This Yamaha F25 AET we’ve ironically nicknamed ‘Sparky’, because not a flash of a spark was in sight, not even an incy wincy one. We scratched our heads with this troublesome outboard,

Yanmar 6LYA-STP Engine Service Onboard A Beneteau 42 Trawler

While some of us gear up to this years Southampton Boat Show ( not me as I’m electronically tagged if I leave my desk ), the day to day workload continues at French Marine Motors. No passports

Changing A Water Pump Impeller On A Volvo Penta TAMD74 EDC

Lee is the human equivalent of expanding foam. Watch and wonder at his foaminess as he gets injected into spaces only marine engineers dare to go. Poor lamb, look at the strain it’s putting on

Trim Ram Replacements On Volvo Penta DPS Drives With D3 Engines Onboard. Jeanneau Prestige

Meanwhile in the south of Essex, Simon has been conducting trim ram replacements on twin Volvo Penta DPS Drives with D3 inboard engines. The jeanneau Prestige was in the process of being repainted and

Volvo Penta MD2040 Engine Fail Onboard A Malö 40

An international gentleman was left unintentionally adrift, when his Volvo Penta MD2040 engine onboard his Malö 40, failed at sea.  Bummer.  Ross removed the cylinder head from the

Southampton International Boat Show 2019

With the Southampton International Boat Show fast approaching, it’s time to sort your tickets and decide what to wear. There will be more exciting snippets about the boat show to follow and details

New 50hp Yamaha Outboard Gets Replaced By A Yamaha F60. A New Control Arm And Garmin Fishfinder/Chartplotter Installation

More power I tell you, I want more! Off with the old 50hp four stroke, Yamaha outboard and on with the new F60. Ross also installed a new control arm with appropriate cabling, a Garmin sonar Fishfinder

Yanmar 3YM20 Vibrating Engine On A Beneteau 323

There’s no point denying, Gaffer tape holds together the fabric of the Universe. What with that, a handy, squirty sized lubricant and a life times supply of cheese, engineers want for nothing. At

Caption This Meme!

For those of you who partake in the ancient art of Yoga, Naukasana is the ‘ Boat Pose ’ . This isn’t that. This is pure, marine engineer, meme fodder. Make me a happy Content Ninja

Corroded Transom And Drive. Stern Fiberglass And Plate Repairs On A Regal Ambassador

The intrinsic problem with boats is an obvious one, they get wet. Often soaked in brine for years like a good ham, then dried with a heady combination of mother nature’s finest elements, corrosion

Bearing Seizure On A Bravo 3 Drive, MAG 350 Horizon V8 Petrol Engine

What’s that noise? A Doral Monticello, located in Essex with a MAG 350 Horizon, V8 petrol engine and a Bravo 3 drive, didn’t sound at all well. Simon suspected the drive bearing was the

The Importance Of Outboard Care And Regular Service

Outboard neglect is a thing people, life happens and before you know it, days become weeks, weeks become months, the contestants on Love Island slide back into obscurity, and another action packed year

MerCruiser 4.3 Litre Outboard Engine With Alpha One Gen 2

The agility of marine engineers has been well documented throughout history, time and space.  Shape shifting bodies to fit engine bays, Elastigirl like limbs to reach the most inaccessible nooks

Volvo Penta 2003T Engines Replaced By D1-30s On A Channel Island 22

Levington branch manager Jason, headed up a SWAT team to remove two Volvo Penta 2003T engines. These will now be replaced by twin Volvo Penta D1-30s on their Channel Island 22 host. Once the installation

Yanmar 1GM10 New Engine Mounts And Fuel Filter Housing

We sent Simon to Kent to look at a Yanmar 1GM10, happily ensconced inside a Parker 27, which as you may know is a modified version of the Super Seal 26. New engine mounts were fitted, along with new

Vetus Bow Pro Installation

A Vetus Bow Pro was fitted to a working boat at Walton-On-The-Naze in Essex. To check everything was hunky dory, James and Lee went along to test that it was installed correctly and ready for business.  The

Outboard Repairs And Service

Outboard service and repairs form a major part of our day to day engineering activities. Seen here is our Ross the outboard guy, engrossed in a Yamaha F150AET outboard. As we head into peak boating

French Marine Motors Outboard Engine Parts And Repair

Outboard service and repair, forms a major part of our day to day engineering activities. As we head into peak boating season, we would like to encourage boat owners to check their engines before the

Yanmar 4JH3-DTE Onboard A Nimbus 320. Plumes Of Smoke And A High Pitched Sound

Imagine if engines made sounds like hungover Monday mornings... Then these twin Yanmar 4JH3-DTE 125HP engines onboard a Nimbus 320, had a very hard weekend on a 48hr bender in Ibiza. The moment the

A Jeanneau Sun Odyssey With A Yanmar 4JHSE And A SD50 Saildrive Has A Missing Propeller

Sometimes buying a boat can be a tricky business, fraught with unforeseen or unexpected surprises that can rear their heads from the cold dark waters, a bit like the Loch Ness Monster with a saildrive. A

Racor Filtration System Problem On Twin Volvo Penta D4-225 HP Shaft Driven Engines With ZF Hurth Gearboxes

I’d not dare to comment on Simons tea making prowess, however I know a dodgy cuppa when I see one. This is what unhappy fuel looks like, when it becomes contaminated. Simon went to Mersea Island

Mooring Line Wrapped Around A Yanmar SD25 Saildrive

It was a very early start for Ross yesterday, as he took a trip to Kent to visit a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389. The mooring line you can see in the photograph was completely entwined with the saildrive

A Carb Strip Down And Clean On A Yamaha 90AET 2 Stroke Outboard

Outboard guy Ross was in full outboard joy yesterday, as he attended to a Yamaha 90AET 2 stroke engine, housed on a RIB. All three carbs were stripped down and cleaned and then re adjusted. There

Full Service On A Yanmar 4JH110 Onboard A Spirit Yacht 63D

I want a big wooden engine box thing with a cool hydraulic lid!  *Stamps foot and pouts* Simon completed a full service on this Yanmar 4JH110 onboard a Spirit Yacht 63D. Because of its pristine

A Fuel And Gear Shift Issue On A Yamaha 30AET Outboard

Our Outboard guy was afloat yesterday, conducting a sea trial on a Yamaha 30AET 2 stroke. He discovered a fuel issue and a problem with the gear shift which he easily remedied.

Power Loss On A MerCruiser MAG 350 Horizon

A speed sensor issue was to blame when this MerCruiser MAG 350 Horizon engine started losing its full quota of power on it’s Doral Monticello base. After diagnosis, Simon changed the speed sensor

A Diaphragm Change On A Volvo Penta MD2030 With A 120S Saildrive

It’s vertigo a go go.  Don’t look down Ross, blimey that makes me feel woozy. This selection of acrophobic photography is of a Volvo Penta MD2030 engine with a 120S saildrive. The

Cut Off Switch For A Bow Thruster

We were called to attend to a faulty cut off switch on a bow thruster. Ross started the job by replacing the cable and then fitted a bypass switch for emergency changeover if ever required. Bonus

Brian Workshop Manager

COME BACK! This is our workshop manager Brian onboard the FMM Dinghy, normally he doesn’t get his feet wet due to his gout ( I made that bit up). We thought his trip needed documenting for future

Yamaha F40FET Outboard Water Leak

The Chelsea Flower Show’s designer Kazuyuki Ishihara wouldn’t even get a silver gilt next to this urban garden water instillation by renowned outboard engineer Ross. He visited Mersea Island

Brundall Boat Show 2019

Thank you to everyone who attended the Brundall Boat Show at the weekend, it was a great success and fantastic to meet boaty folk new and old. James and Rob look like they had the the best time on their

A Fuel Pump Issue With A Yamaha FT25FET

Ross went for a spin on a foot ferry to recreate an issue they were experiencing with their Yamaha FT25FET Outboard engine. Predictably it wouldn’t do the thing it was doing, until Ross had one

Damaged Bellows On A Volvo Penta SX-M Duo Prop

At a first glance when I received this photograph, I was eager to congratulate Simon on the success of his Nan’s knee replacement operation... Turns out that it wasn’t a medical procedure

Brundall Boat Show 2019

Something for the weekend?  Come along and say hi to French Marine Motors very own James  ‘Have you tried switching it on and off again’  French and Norfolk Rob, who will

A Replacement Eltrim Trim Tab Ram On A Motor Cruiser

She sells sea shells on the sea shore. He replaces Eltrim Trim Tab Ram on the motor cruiser floor.

Removal Of A Bruntons Auto Propeller From A Hallberg-Rassy

  This unseasonable weather calls for desperate measures, luckily marine engineers are renowned for their resourceful and enterprising abilities under duress. I’m not saying this puddle

250 Hour Service On A 4JH4-TE Yanmar Engine.

Engineer Ross has a very good eye for a photo opportunity.  This is a sea trial that he conducted locally on a much loved steel boat.  The 250 hour service on a 4JH4-TE Yanmar engine went

Vetus M4.56 Replaces A Perkins M60 On A Moody 38

In that space between darkness and light, torrential rain in May and the approaching apocalypse of parents evening... ...The sun begins to shine as my phone ping, ping, pings, heralding the birth of

Alex Our Work Experience Student

This is our work experience student Alex who is 15, he’s from a secondary school nearby and comes already equipped with exactly the right kind of attitude, enthusiasm and 3D inclined mind that creates

Replaced Water Pump On A Volvo Penta MD2020 Housed In A Dufour 32

Not far from the Dengie Nature Reserve in Essex, Simon had been called to attend to a water pump on a Volvo Penta MD2020 that needed replacing due to it being worn and thus rendered unreliable. We supplied

First Service On An 8hp Yamaha Outboard Engine

Sit very still and don’t drink anything alcoholic while you watch this film Ross made.  He performed a first ever service on a 8hp Yamaha Outboard at our Brightlingsea branch this morning. Look

Newly Installed Yanmar 1GM10

Love is a difficult thing to quantify and often extends to objects, possessions and of course boats. Our customer in Kent loved her Hunter Horizon 26 so much that when her old engine was issued with

Volvo Penta MD2030 Leaky Exhaust Elbow.

Oh deary me, here’s a very leaky exhaust elbow that was lurking unseen toward the rear of a Volvo Penta MD2030 Engine. A bit of a tricky beast to access but our engineer bravely stuck his hand into

100 Hour Service On John Deere 4045AFM Engines Installed On A Catamaran

How far would you go to watch a certain footy match in Barcelona tonight? Simon travelled down to Portsmouth in Hampshire to carry out the first 100 hour service on an 80 foot Catamaran, before her

Mercury 90 hours Optimax On A Quicksilver 580 Horror Story

That bit in every horror film where the unsuspecting victim, in this case mild mannered Ross, goes about his daily business unaware of what lies ahead. It’s a bright spring morning, the crisp

Yanmar 6LP-DTE Fractured Exhaust Fitting

On your marks, get set, split! In the South East of Essex today, a routine service on a race support vessel uncovered hurdles of a different ilk.  Our engineer discovered a fractured exhaust

Full Service On A Volvo Penta MD22 LB

Ross completed a full service on a Volvo Penta MD22 LB marine Engine. Everything seemed in pretty good order except there was a slight niggle with starting. Ross solved this by fitting a new starter

Cockle Vessel Service Including Bearings, New Shaft And Propeller

It’s often been said that Essex cockles are the cockliest cockles in cockledom. To keep the cockles coming in, Simon provided a classy service to this working vessel including bearings and shaft

Mercury Verado 300hp Service

Today in Brightlingsea was the first major service for a shiny black Mercury Verado 300hp Outboard.  Ross was in charge of conducting the proceedings and without doubt thoroughly enjoyed himself,

French Marine Motors Norfolk Branch

The Riverside Estate in Brundall is the picturesque home of our Norfolk branch. Located conveniently near the River Yare and the Mid-Yare National Nature Reserve we are within easy reach of the historic

Yamaha 60hp Four Stroke Water In The Fuel

  Not even storm Gareth could stop Ross fixing this Yamaha 60hp four stroke Outboard.  Our intrepid engineer discovered that the fuel had become contaminated with copious amounts of sea

Yanmar SD60 Service And A Recommission And Exhaust Skin Fitting On A Dehler 34

Simon has provided something a little special for the weekend. A delicious, double layered, marine engineering feat of excellence. Firstly, a saildrive service on a Yanmar SD60 fitted inside a Jeanneau

Yanmar SD60 Service And A Recommission And Exhaust Skin Fitting On A Dehler 34

Simon has provided something a little special for the weekend. A delicious, double layered, marine engineering feat of excellence. Firstly, a saildrive service on a Yanmar SD60 fitted inside a Jeanneau

Mercury Optimax 115hp Outboard Service

Tom just stands in the same position all day, his thumb held triumphantly aloft and other hand confidently placed on hip, as he awaits the arrival of the next Outboard to service. Lee and other Tom

Mercury Optimax 115hp Outboard Service

Tom just stands in the same position all day, his thumb held triumphantly aloft and other hand confidently placed on hip, as he awaits the arrival of the next Outboard to service. Lee and other Tom

Service On A Yamaha 130hp 2 Stroke

Straight in there with another top notch service by Tom Davey, outboard technician to the stars. Never mess with a man and his Yamaha 130hp 2 stroke, they look very pally don’t they. Heard he

Squeaky Volvo Penta KAMD300

What is it with our Walton-On-The-Naze branch and stray animals? First an eel and now a mouse? It sounded just like a nervous mouse had become trapped under the valve cover of this Volvo Penta KAMD300,

Faulty Steering Sensor On Twin Volvo Penta D6-330 Engines On DPH Drives With Joystick Control

A Princess V39 with twin Volvo Penta D6-330’s on DPH drives with  joyous joystick control, felt a little alarmed in Essex. Team Walton wasted no time in plugging her majesty into the diagnostic

Full Service On A Pair Of Mercury Verado 225hp Outboards On a Quicksilver 905

As the boating season draws ever closer its another full service for the Walton lads. ( N.B. I’m not inferring that the Walton lads are in need of a service, without question they are all perfect

Full Service And Valve Adjustment On A Pair Of Volvo Penta KAMD300 Engines

Engineer and branch manager Lee from Walton-On-The-Naze, is a stickler for detail. I’m not saying he’s obsessive or anything but every morning he counts his Rice Krispies and measures them

A Bespoke Yanmar 3YM30 Carbon Fibre Saildrive Engine Bed

If you are lucky enough to own a magnificent, ultra sleek, carbon fibre racing vessel then you know that every gram counts and could have a direct impact on race performance. We have taken great delight

Full Service For A Volvo Penta D2-55 In A Sirius 40

It’s full service a go-go in this glorious weather, everywhere we turn our engineers are servicing a myriad of engines ready for the spring. This is a Volvo Penta D2-55 engine with saildrive in

A Possible Yanmar ZT370 Sterndrive Rebuild?

  Simon has been enjoying jigsaws again today, this time it’s a Yanmar ZT370 Sterndrive which is a refreshing change from his usual preference of ‘Thatched Cornish Cottages’

Refurbished Gearboxes On Twin Yamaha F25 FET Outboards

Newly stripped and refurbished gearboxes have been fitted to the twin Yamaha F25 FET outboard engines that Ross was working on earlier in the week.  They have a beautiful stark naked quality, a futuristic

Lapping The Clutch Cone Into The Gears

Here’s one of the things happening in our Brightlingsea workshop today.  Ross is lapping the clutch cone into the gears. You can see the difference the lapping has made in the before and

Twin Yamaha F25 FET Outboards Leaking Water And Emulsified Oil

Ross has been working on twin Yamaha F25 FET outboard engines from a much loved Essex foot ferry. After removing the drain plugs it was clear something was seriously amiss with both gearboxes as the sheer

Full Steam Ahead On The Fairey Motor Boat

At our Levington branch its full steam ahead on the Fairey motor boat we featured a while back, the twin Perkins engines have now been lifted into the vessel and are ready to line up and connect. The Suffolk

Yanmar 3YM20 Installation With New Prop And Prop Shaft In A Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32.2

Ian and Ross installed a shiny Yanmar 3YM20 and a brand new prop shaft and propeller into a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32.2. Look at the concentration on their faces, all thats missing is a tongue lolling from

Volvo Drive Tangled in Rope And Line

Flotsam, jetsam and random marine debris cause all kinds of marine engine damage, for instance here’s an old Volvo drive which was been brought to us by a customer who needed a little help detangling

Survey vessel with Yanmar 6LY2A-STP Engines

Keeping a working vessel in tip-top condition at this time of year along our inclement coastline, can often feel a bit like painting the Forth Bridge. Simon donned his best woolly beanie (N.B luckily

A Yamaha F8CMH 8hp Gets A Service.

Marine engineer Ross has been servicing an F8CMH 8hp Yamaha Outboard. A nice little spring clean will keep this outboard happy as Larry. A few parts replaced and a jiggle in the ultrasonic cleaner for

Brightlingsea Chandlery And Parts Christmas Opening Hours

Here are the Christmas and New Year opening hours for our Brightlingsea chandlery and parts department! ????

Volvo Penta AQ205 V6 Engine Carb Deep Clean

Imagine a Spa especially designed for engines but minus a nail bar, that’s exactly what this Volvo Penta AQ205 V6 engine carb is enjoying, a right good pampering by engineer Simon. The vessel

Overheated Water Pump On A B.M.C 1.8 Engine Installed In A Colvic Seaworker

I’m not the only one already starting to feel slightly frazzled by the festive season. Engineer Simon in Brightlingsea was called to attend to a B.M.C 1.8 engine installed in a Colvic Seaworker,

There’s An Eel In My Volvo Penta Sterndrive

Gasp!!!! Look at this people! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I received the images and film sent to me by Lee our Walton-On-The-Naze branch manager. Totally unbelievable! What started out as

Brightlingsea Christmas Tree Festival Results!

The results of the 2018 Brightlingsea Christmas Tree Festival are in! And it’s with great pleasure that I can announce our tree, ‘Sleigh Drive’ was awarded festival runner up and highly

Brightlingsea Christmas Tree Festival

As you ascend the hill into Brightlingsea you are confronted by the historic and imposing All Saints’ Church. Since 2003 it has been home to the famous Christmas tree festival run by 300 dedicated

Guess The Engineers Location

Our engineers have sent me some beautiful pictures from their respective locations. As jobs go I’d say there are many worse than being a marine engineer, especially on mornings such as this. If

Vetus M4.56 52hp Engine, Bow Thruster Kit And Sound Insulation.

Underneath a wintery crystal-blue sky at Fambridge Yacht Haven in Essex today, a shiny new Vetus M4.56 52hp engine replaces a customers ageing Perkins Prima M60 59hp. French Marine Motors have also provided

Yamaha Outboard 40hp Service

Another day, another Outboard for Ross and another Yamaha but this time a 40hp. Great to see people are heeding advice and getting their engines and Outboards serviced before the full icy onset of winter. Another

A Full Service For A Yamaha 70hp Outboard

Brrrrrrrr, baby it’s cold outside. Simon is carrying out a service on a Yamaha 70hp Outboard which belongs on a RIB.  It’s a Good idea to think about getting your Outboard serviced

Volvo Penta D1-30 Installation In A Najad 331

Ross and Ian are at Chatham Marina in Kent installing a small but perfectly formed Volvo Penta D1-30 provided for the customer by French Marine Motors. It’s new home will be inside a Najad 331. By

Scania dsi 12 Engine With Twin Gearbox Full Service

It’s almost December and as a shameless fan of anything Christmassy, I thought it apt to share this jolly red Scania dsi 12 engine with twin disk gearbox. Simon and Ian travelled to Old Leigh

Peel Ports And A Brand New John Deere Engine

Simon, Pete and Ian travelled to Peel Ports in Kent yesterday where they installed a John Deere 6068DF150 engine. The engine was also provided for the customer by French Marine Motors.

Bespoke Shaft For The Suffolk Yacht Harbour Dredger

*UPDATE* Remember the lovely slo-mo film of the shaft Pete turned in our Brightlingsea workshop? Well here it is delivered ahead of schedule to our Levington branch all ready to be fitted to Suffolk Yacht

MerCruiser D2.8L D-Tronic Engines Have Transom Plate Work.

Look at our Tom Davey, he could have been a brain surgeon.  Here he is slowly and carefully extracting a pair of MerCruiser D2.8L D-Tronic engines from a Mariah motor cruiser. Off they go to the

Volvo Penta AD41 Engine Had A Knocking Noise

Knock, Knock, Who’s there? A Fairline Phantom 32 with twin Volvo Penta AD41 engines on 290DP drive legs.  Ok so that’s not one of my best Christmas cracker jokes but for one of our

Cutterhead Shaft For A Dredger

Today in Brightlingsea, engineer Pete is making a brand new Cutterhead Shaft for a Dredger.

Yamaha f70 Installation On An Orkney Vessel.

  Meanwhile at our Walton-On-The-Naze branch, engineer and super dooper outboard technician Tom Davey has definitely got his hands full. A brand new Yamaha f70 is in the process of being fitted

Harwich Harbour Foot Ferry Work

The Harwich Harbour Foot Ferry is a much loved working vessel moored alongside the historic Ha’penny Pier in Harwich old town on the east coast. Tourists and locals alike rely on the foot ferry

Winterisation and Recomissioning

Levington is home to another of our branches which is located in an idyllic spot. Positioned directly opposite the beautifully designed Suffolk Yacht Harbour headquarters and chandlery. Jason the branch

Thames Rib Experience Walton Branch

French Marine Motors inhabit four prime locations along the East Anglian coast and our Walton-On-The-Naze branch within the picturesque Titchmarsh Marina are a notoriously shy bunch. Branch manager

Service On A Yanmar 4LH-HTE And A 4LHA

A cold crisp morning in Brightlingsea today and here’s marine engineer Ross carrying out a service on pilot boat ‘DRACULA’ Both are Yanmar engines one a 4LH-HTE and the other a 4LHA. We

Water Escaping From A Salt Water Strainer On A Volvo Penta D6

A customer in Brightlingsea reported that his Volvo Penta D6 330hp engine was overheating when it hit 1800rpm and this caused the Sportmaster fishing vessel to levitate out of the water. We sent our

Propeller Repair Service

Here at French Marine Motors we are very proud of our propeller repair and restoration service.  Major internal and external damage starts with minor propeller issues and before long can all too

Aftermarket Martek Circulation Pump Failure

It’s out with the old and in with the new for a customer at our Levington branch. A Volvo 2003 engine started overheating due to the failure of the Aftermarket Martek circulation pump which in turn

Cooler Issues In Scarborough

Lia had a funny turn up in Scarborough and so we sent Simon our intrepid engineer up north to replace her cooler. Everything else seemed fine and dandy with the Yanmar 6LYA-STP 440hp inline 6 cylinder

Bespoke Stella Engine Bed Modification

Dr Frankenstein (aka Jason) is hard at work at our Levington Laboratory today, he’s working his magic on a Stella yacht which as you can see is evolving even as we speak. New stainless steel engine

Volvo V8 300 Compression Loss

Jason is at the Suffolk Yacht Harbour today having a look at a Volvo V8 300. The engine having been removed from the Regal speedboat is now ready to be stripped down and its compression loss established.

Gimble Bearing and Drive Shaft Bellows Installed Incorrectly

Shotley Point Marina was the scene of this dreadful crime committed against a survey vessel.The Gimbal bearing was installed incorrectly and the Drive Shaft Bellows were contorted and nipped at the seal. Simon

Propeller Repair and Restoration

French Marine Motors engineer Ian has been working on a propeller in our workshop. The dents need to be polished out via a multi step process to return the propeller to its former glory. Just another

Bespoke Stanchions

Look at these gorgeous Stanchions that Pete made for a customer in Brightlingsea. Ross got the short straw to ratchet the Stanchions from inside the galley cupboard. Another bespoke job expertly executed

2003 Volvo Penta Turbo Engine With A Leaky Water Pump

This 2003 Volvo Penta Turbo engine housed inside a Westerly Riviera sounds like it needs a hot water bottle and a Lemsip. This engine is definitely under the weather as the customer reported that along

Fairey Huntsman Engine Compartment Refit

Jason from our Levington branch is starting a pretty big job. A Fairey Huntsman is having its old engines removed ready for an engine compartment refit and two brand new Perkins engines will be fitted

Indmar Predator Surgery On A Mastercraft

In Brightlingsea Simon performed open boat surgery on a Mastercraft. The Indmar Predator 350 310hp based on a 5.7ltr Chevy V8 engine was in a bad way and feeling very sorry for itself, the spark plugs

Fuel Stop Solenoid Leak

A fuel stop solenoid had previously been fitted to a customers fuel pump but it was very leaky and unhappy. Simon discovered that a little nipped o-ring was the cause of the problem. After running the

Ross, Outboard Bloke!

Roll up roll up, here’s the next victim in our “Meet the Family” feature. Ross Bourne. What’s your official job title Ross?... Marine engineer. No! call me the Outboard bloke. Ok

Five Blade Propeller And Rear Bearing Replaced On A Elling E4

A bit of an autumnal chill in the air yesterday at The Suffolk Yacht Harbour as Jason removed a five blade propeller and rear bearing from a 50ft Elling E4. Once the procedure was complete it was just

Meet The French Marine Motors Family

Now that our wanderers have returned safely from the Southampton boat show, we can begin our new feature entitled, “Meet the FMM Family” My first unwitting victim is Richard. Richard Davey; Spare

Yamaha 30hp 2 Stroke Seized Crank Shaft

I’m interrupting transmission in our coverage of the Southampton Boat Show to bring you news of events back at French Marine Motors HQ. Here’s the star of this crank shaft horror, Ross.

Volvo Penta Twin D4 ECU Reprogram

Simon found his sea legs again completing sea trials around Mersea Island on a Rodman 950 with twin Volvo Penta D4 engines.   The vessel after displaying complications when it was running, needed

Volvo Penta D3-190 Conversion From Petrol to Diesel

Twin Volvo Penta D3-190 engines are getting a Cyberman like conversion from petrol to diesel up in Brundall Norfolk. Simon is helping program the installation  to oversee that it happens in the correct

MerCruiser 4.3 V6 Exhaust Flappers Dropped.

One of our customers based at Fox’s Marina Ipswich with a Bayliner Bowrider speedboat, complained of a peculiar noise coming from their 4.3 V6 MerCruiser inboard engine. Over time the exhaust flappers

Scooby And The MerCruiser Thunderbolt 5 Ignition

Poor old Scooby had very poor power delivery and probably needed more than a Scooby snack to feel tip top again.  Simon was soon on the scene in the Mystery Machine at Titchmarsh Marina to attend

Volvo Penta V8 300 With DPS-B Drive Stops After Being Put Into Astern

Ben isn’t curtsying to her majesty Regal 2300 he’s investigating why this Volvo Penta V8 300 petrol engine and DPS-B drive unit stopped dead in its tracks after being put hard into astern.   Following

Vetus VF250E With Volvo Penta DPS Drives.

There’s a hole in my engine dear Simon, dear Simon... (Bet you sang along to that!) Well possibly not holes in these Vetus VF250E engines with Volvo Penta DPS drives but something is definitely

Skilso 975 Gets a Propeller Balance Check

Ross Copsy is back in action again for French Marine Motors this morning in Suffolk. Both the props are coming off this Skilso 975 for a balance check and an under performing engine needs his attention.

Yanmar Fuel Injection Pump Not Firing On A 3jh TE

Meanwhile at our Levington branch Ross Copsy has just refitted a fuel injection pump to a Yanmar 3jh TE. The pump had internal problems and wasn’t firing on number 3 cylinder. After removal we sent

Brand New Volvo Penta D1 13 Engine Gets Inspected

Jason is in Woodbridge not singing in the rain but completing a PDI inspection on a brand new Volvo Penta D1 13 engine.   The 17ft fibreglass open day boat might have a few puddles on the deck

First Service On A Yanmar 4jh 110 Common Rail Engine

Happy first service to a Yanmar 4jh 110 common rail engine located at Woolvetstone Marina in Ipswich Suffolk.   Housed inside an elegant Contest 50 it has been expertly checked and serviced by

Cable Shift Change On Yamaha ME 422 Sti Engines On Yamaha Hydra Drives

One of our jobs today was at Southdock in London for one of the Thames Tigers Ribcraft. Twin Yamaha ME 422 sti engines on Yamaha hydra drives both needed a shift cable change.  Tiger One is now back

A Damaged Yamaha 159 HPDI Outboard

No monsters at the bottom of Loch Lomand only lurking shallow ledges, patiently waiting to bite a chunk out of this customers Yamaha 159 HPDI Outboard.   Firstly the Skeg was unceremoniously ripped

ECU Misreading Voltage on Volvo Penta D9-575 Engines

Miss Marple was busy making jam today so we sent Simon to solve this one. Brundall Windmill Marina in Norfolk was the scene of a mysterious wiring issue on a pair of Volvo Penta D9-575 engines housed

MerCruiser 5.7LX Starting Motor Meltdown

* If you are squeamish look away now! * It’s true we’ve had a heatwave this summer but I’m not sure it was quite hot enough to melt the starting motor on a MerCruiser 5.7LX... or was

Clutch Shaft Strip Down From A KM5A Gearbox

Here’s a tasty looking buffet minus the ham quiche thank goodness. Ross has been stripping down the clutch shaft from a KM5A gearbox that a customer brought to us because it slipped when in gear. Once

A Marine Engineers First Love

Annual Service On A Verado Mercury Outboard

A tall order for Simon in Leigh On Sea this morning, a Verado 350 supercharged Mercury outboard is getting its annual service and oil change. If Simon can reach. 

Eroded Trim Ram Seals Cause Issues

It was Rama Lama Ding Dong at Titchmarsh Marina in Walton On The Naze today. A Bavaria Motor Cruiser with twin Volvo Penta D3 engines had serious damage to the DPS drive caused by eroded trim ram seals,

Fitting A Yanmar Zt370 Sterndive on the Norfolk Broads

Engineers Michael and Simon have been working on the picturesque Norfolk Broads today at Brundall Marina. The job in question was for a Birchwood Cruiser with a Yanmar 6LPA-STE engine. After a very early

Ross And Our 1953 Fordson Major Tractor

Sometimes we need to launch the company boat to reach our customers that are a little harder to get to, that’s when our 1953 Fordson Major tractor comes into play. Today Ross has been giving her

Pete Performing Magic On A Yanmar 4JH3-DTE

Pete is captured here performing some very impressive engineering wizardry. He has designed and built a bespoke bracket that bolts onto a Yanmar 4JH3-DTE and holds an oil cooler for a 121 gearbox in place. Lovely

Yanmar 6lpa-ste, Corroded Starter Motor Posts

This Yanmar 6lpa-ste 315hp engine had stopped due to an electrical issue. On inspection it was easy to see that the starter motor posts were badly corroded and had resulted in the poor connection

New Holland engine and Ian Minion

Hands up who’s seen the Minions movie? This is the sequel where Ian Minion removes a New Holland engine from a fishing boat and has a list of repairs to make before Gru comes home.

Oil Pressure Alarms

Oil pressure alarms weren’t happy on a Mercury 20hp 4 stroke.  Simon discovered the faulty switch box was to blame and he didn’t take long to put it right, more than could be said for

Perfect 10 For The Byass Valves

Lee is demonstrating his poise and balance as perfectly as a world class gymnast as he repairs a Mercury Optimax 115hp Outboard. A previous grounding had filled the bypass valves with all sorts of gunk..(

Take Me To Electric Pontoon

French Marine Motors journeyed up to Lowestoft in Suffolk this week to diagnose electrical issues with a Volvo Penta D9 engine onboard a Sealine 50. Simon reported that it looked like the alternator overcharged

Chips And Compression Testing

Here is engineer Lee compression testing and also performing a timing test on a 5.7 litre V8 Mercruiser engine onboard a Regal. We finally had to resort to feeding him chips using a spoon taped to a bamboo

Not so sad ‘Sadiki’

Not so sad now ‘Sadiki’ has her damaged set of counter rotating propeller shafts on a Zeus pod drive repaired.

Engineer Magic

Simon convinces Ian to help him practice ‘The disappearing lady in a box’ trick he saw on YouTube despite the 30 degree heat. Oh and While you’re there Ian could you install a Yanmar

A Bad Bearing Story

This very lovely Beneteau sailing vessel with a Yanmar 4jh engine was due to have the outboard bearing replaced, what should have been a routine operation took an unexpected time consuming turn for our

Engines to Norfolk

What’s the collective term for a group of marine engineers?... Ahhh I know, a “Turbo” of engineers otherwise known as Lee, Ross and Tom.  Here are the French Marine Collective

Adjusting a trim sensor

Ross adjusting the trim sensor on the DPS drive from a Volvo Penta D3 engine. Don’t fall in Ross!  

Today’s Jeanneaus

Another Jeanneau this afternoon and another first ever service for this 479 in Burnham with a Yanmar 4JH engine. It’s a sweltering 34 degrees in Burnham and it looks like Simon has spent most of

Busy, busy, busy

We are really busy today at French Marine Motors, lots of schools breaking up this week and the prolonged heatwave makes everybody eager to get their boat in tip top condition and take to the water. Engineer

Double Trouble

Double trouble at Morgan’s Marina for a Jeanneau Prestige 36. Simon plugged his laptop into the twin Volvo Penta D3 engines on DPS drive legs to help diagnose a turbo issue on the starboard engine.

Back in Brightlingsea

You may well remember that earlier in the week we were looking at a Yanmar 1gm10 on a Hunter Horizon here in Brightlingsea. The unfortunate little vessel also showed symptoms of overheating. After removing

Socks and a Service

A Yanmar 4JH80 common rail engine and sail drive had its very first service yesterday in Chatham.  The sleek Jeanneau 51 Sun Odyssey was looking resplendent in its mooring but unfortunately the same

A broken engine mount on a Yanmar 1gm10

A rare treat today in Brightlingsea, looking from my lofty vantage point at French Marine Motors I can actually see one of our engineers hard at work. Curious to investigate what was happening I took

Cockles a go go!

Simon was all at sea yesterday as he repaired a dead PDE injector on a Scania DI12 59M engine onboard a Cockle boat.  To ensure our customer wasn’t inconvenienced any longer than necessary

Mastering the MasterCraft

Yesterday, Brightlingsea was the location of choice for our engineer Simon. A MasterCraft Power Vortec MX Predator 5.7L TBI EFI GM V-8 engine, possibly derived from a Mercury Mag 350 was having a few running

A break in Brightlingsea.

We are very lucky to have such a fantastic location here in Brightlingsea right by the waters edge. Here are three of our engineers Pete, Simon and Ross enjoying a well deserved break in a seaside shelter.

Viva Aviva!

  If you were lucky enough to be in London near Butlers Wharf last week you certainly couldn’t have missed any of the 98 metre stunningly beautiful Superyacht ’Aviva’. For most

Hinge and Alternator Bracket

One of our customers asked us if we could make two bespoke brackets to hold the extra alternators they wished to add to their twin Volvo Penta D3 220 engines. Not a problem for our engineer Pete,

Lucky in Loddon

This morning the French Marine Motors troubleshooting team visited Loddon in Norfolk. Water in engine oil is never a good look so it’s up to engineering duo Michael and Simon to gently ease out

Watery Turbo

A Yamaha diesel ME-432 engine was a little worse for wear due to water damaging the turbo. Engineer Simon has been busy rebuilding the engine and finally a reconditioned turbo has been fitted to solve

Volvo Penta Tow Mode installation

With the ever increasing popularity of wakeboarding, waterskiing and tubing, Volvo Penta have engineered a nifty little gadget. Today our IT ninja James has been installing the Tow Mode Software on a

What a difference a day makes!

Remember Ian making those dramatic sparks on the pair of propellers from the Fairline Motor Cruiser yesterday? Well here they are now and what a difference a day makes!

Damaged Propeller? No problem

We also repair broken and damaged propellers up to 1.5m as part of our many services here at French Marine Motors. Ian is seen here welding the propeller from a Fairline Motor Cruiser.

Last train to Walton

Fun in the sun today at Walton on the Naze for engineers Simon and Ian, a broken drive plate on a Perkins HT6.354 with a Borg Warner gearbox needed serious attention. The gearbox had zero oil pressure

Low tide at Brightlingsea

All in a days work...

We all enjoy the beauty and power of a well designed and built engine but until the dawn of the self installing and servicing engine, we are wholly dependent on our talented engineers. Here’s

French Marine to the rescue!

Luckily for a German gentleman sailing from Holland in his Steel Ketch his breakdown wasn’t all bad news. Engineer Simon French was quickly able to attend due to his lucky proximity to French Marine

Volvo Penta Easy Connect gets Connected!

  If you are the kind of boat lover who dreams your boat could tell you it’s fuel levels, let your family know your whereabouts as well as allowing you to access all kinds of useful facts

Yamaha ME432STI strip down and rebuild

What a beautiful sunny day here at French Marine Motors in Brightlingsea. No time to sunbathe though for engineer Simon French. This Yamaha ME432STI marine engine is in for a complete strip down and rebuild,

Noisy exhaust problem solved with help from Vetus

Recently our senior marine engineer was called upon by City Cruises to solve an ongoing mystery. Both their Rib vessels The Thunder and The Lightning were displaying some very puzzling traits. The vessels

Marine Engine installation at Suffolk Yacht Harbour

At the beginning of July we were asked to diagnose an engine problem which was causing the customers starboard Yanmar engine to overheat, after engine trials there was no obvious indication as to the cause

New VETUS bow thruster controls now available

New bow thruster panels - compact and sophisticated design! Thanks to the design and quality of materials, these new bow or stern thruster panels will be an asset to your dashboard. Due to their compact