Safety Precautions For Maintenance And Service - Volvo Penta 4.3GL Instruction Book

Safety precautions for maintenance and service

Preparations
Knowledge base
The Instruction Manual contains instructions on how
to carry out the commonest maintenance and service
operations safely and correctly. Read them carefully
before starting work.
Service literature for more extensive work can be ob-
tained from your Volvo Penta dealer.
Never undertake an operation if you are not com-
pletely sure how to do it. Contact your Volvo Penta
dealer for assistance instead.
Stopping the engine
Stop the engine before the engine compartment co-
ver is opened or removed. Unless otherwise speci-
fied all maintenance and service must be carried out
with the engine stopped.
Immobilize the engine by removing the ignition key,
turning off the power supply with the main switch and
locking it in the OFF position. Fix a warning that
work is being undertaken to the control position.
Approaching a running engine is dangerous. Loose
clothing, long hair, fingers or tools can get caught in
rotating parts and cause serious personal injury.
Volvo Penta recommend that all servicing with the
engine running be undertaken by an authorized Vol-
vo Penta workshop.
Lifting out the engine
Use the lifting eyes mounted on the engine/reverse
gear when lifting the drive unit. Always check that
lifting equipment is in good condition and has suffi-
cient load capacity to lift the engine (engine weight
including reverse gear and any extra equipment in-
stalled). For safety reasons the engine should be lif-
ted with an adjustable lifting beam. All chains and
cables should run parallel to each other and as per-
pendicular as possible to the top of the engine. Note
that extra equipment mounted on the engine can
change its center of gravity. Special hoists may be
necessary to balance the engine and make handling
it safe. Never carry out work on an engine suspen-
ded on a hoist.
Before starting the engine
Reinstall all protective components that have been
removed before starting the engine. Check that no
tools or other objects have been left on the engine.
6
Fire and explosion
Fuel and lubricating oil
All fuels, most lubricating oils and many chemicals
pose a fire hazard. Read and follow the instructions
on packaging.
Work on the fuel injection system must be carried out
on a cold engine. A fuel leak or spill onto a hot surfa-
ce or an electrical component can cause a fire.
Store oil and fuel soaked rags and other flammable
material in fireproof conditions. In certain circumstan-
ces oil soaked rags can spontaneously combust.
Never smoke when refueling, changing the oil or clo-
se to filling stations or in the engine compartment.
Non-original components
The components in the fuel injection system, ignition
system and electrical system in Volvo Penta pro-
ducts are designed and manufactured to minimize
the risk of fire and explosion.
Using non-original Volvo Penta parts which do not
meet the above standards, can result in fire or explo-
sion on board.
Batteries
Batteries contain and produce oxyhydrogen, especi-
ally when they are being charged. This gas is easily
ignited and highly volatile.
Never allow a naked flame or sparks near the bat-
teries or battery compartment.
Incorrect connection of a battery lead or jump lead
can cause a spark which is sufficient to cause the
battery to explode.