MTC Preventive Maintenance Procedures 4

Question 1

During PM, a technician notices the marine engine's freshwater cooling system thermostat opens at 195°F but the engine continues to run at 210°F. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Partial blockage in the heat exchanger or raw water circuit

Answer

The thermostat is opening too early

Answer

The engine is running at too low an RPM

Answer

The freshwater pump impeller is oversized

Question 2

When conducting PM on a vessel's steering system, what is the correct way to check hydraulic steering fluid level?

Accepted Answer

Check with steering centered and engine off after bleeding any air

Answer

Check with the wheel turned hard to starboard only

Answer

Add fluid until it overflows the reservoir cap

Answer

Check only at maximum RPM under load

Question 3

A PM inspection of a marine vessel's safety equipment reveals that flare expiration dates have passed. Under USCG regulations, what is the correct course of action?

Accepted Answer

Expired flares must be disposed of properly and replaced with current, unexpired USCG-approved signals

Answer

Expired flares may be kept aboard as backups to new ones

Answer

Expired flares are still legal if they were stored correctly

Answer

Only nighttime flares need to be current; daytime flares have no expiration

Question 4

When performing a compression test on a marine diesel engine during PM, which result indicates a worn or broken piston ring?

Accepted Answer

One cylinder reads significantly lower than the others, improving after adding oil (wet test)

Answer

All cylinders read 350–400 psi with less than 10% variation

Answer

All cylinders show zero compression

Answer

Compression increases on every successive cranking stroke

Question 5

What is the recommended torque sequence when re-installing a marine engine cylinder head after PM work?

Accepted Answer

Start from the center and work outward in a crossing pattern per OEM spec

Answer

Start at one end and work straight across to the other end

Answer

Tighten from the outside edges toward the center in a spiral pattern

Answer

Torque all bolts simultaneously with an impact wrench

Question 6

During PM, a technician inspects a marine vessel's shore power cord and notes the plug is discolored and feels warm after normal use. What is the correct action?

Accepted Answer

Replace the shore power cord and inspect the inlet receptacle for damage or corrosion

Answer

Continue using it and note for next season's PM

Answer

Apply electrical tape to the discolored area

Answer

Increase the amperage at the dock pedestal

Question 7

What is the standard PM interval for replacing the fuel filter on a four-stroke marine outboard operating in normal conditions?

Accepted Answer

Every 100 hours or annually, whichever comes first, per OEM guidelines

Answer

Every 1,500 hours only

Answer

Only when black smoke is observed from the exhaust

Answer

Every 10 hours for the first season, then never again