Auxiliary Engines

VTS Marine provides auxiliary engine repair and diagnostics for commercial vessels operating in Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, and coastal British Columbia. Our auxiliary engine repair work covers fuel delivery, starting and charging circuits, cooling, mounting and vibration isolation, and control or monitoring wiring, with scheduling built around vessel location, technician availability, and operational urgency.

AT A GLANCE

• Typical symptoms: Hard starting, irregular idle, unusual smoke, overheating.
• Systems involved: Fuel delivery, starting/charging, cooling, mounting and vibration isolation, control/monitoring wiring.
• Common causes: Fuel filter clogging, injector wear, starter and battery-related issues, cooling system fouling, particularly on units with irregular running hours.
• Suitable vessel types: Commercial vessels with auxiliary diesel engines supporting generators, hydraulics, or pumps independent of the main propulsion engine.
• Service availability: Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, the Fraser River, and surrounding BC coastal areas, with wider British Columbia and international support available by arrangement. Emergency and priority service is scheduled based on vessel location, technician availability, and operational urgency.
• Related inspection checklist: Auxiliary Engine Inspection Checklist (in development).

TYPICAL PROBLEMS

Auxiliary engines typically run at lower, more variable loads than main engines and are sometimes run intermittently, which can mean they receive less routine attention despite being just as mechanically demanding. Fuel filter clogging, injector wear, starter and battery-related issues, and cooling system fouling are common, particularly on units that see irregular running hours. Warning signs include hard starting, irregular idle, unusual smoke, and overheating — especially significant if the engine runs infrequently and a change wasn’t noticed immediately. “Auxiliary” does not mean “unimportant”: a failed auxiliary engine can take down hydraulics, generators, or other systems the main engine does not power directly.

DIAGNOSTIC APPROACH

Because auxiliary engines often run fewer hours than the main engine, an evaluation typically starts by establishing actual run-hours and comparing them against the vessel’s maintenance schedule, rather than assuming calendar time alone reflects wear. This is followed by inspection of fuel and oil condition, cooling flow, mounting and vibration isolation, and control and monitoring wiring. Evaluations may be performed on board, in the shop, or both, depending on the nature of the issue and vessel access.

COMMON INSPECTION POINTS

Fuel and oil condition, cooling system flow, mounting and vibration isolation, and control and monitoring wiring are the primary inspection points for auxiliary engines.

RELATED SERVICES

Marine Generator & Auxiliary Machinery Service

RELATED RESOURCES

Preventative Maintenance Planning for Commercial Fleets (in development)

RELATED VESSEL SYSTEMS

Fuel Systems, Electrical Systems, Marine Generators

FAQ

Why does an auxiliary engine need the same attention as a main engine?
An auxiliary engine can power systems the main engine doesn’t, such as hydraulics or generators. A failure can affect those systems even if the main engine is unaffected.

How should maintenance intervals be scheduled for engines that run infrequently?
Many operators schedule maintenance by calendar interval as well as run-hours, since infrequent running does not reduce component aging or eliminate the mechanical demands during use. Refer to the applicable OEM maintenance schedule for manufacturer-specific intervals.

What’s the most commonly overlooked auxiliary engine issue?
Starter and battery-related issues are common on units that run intermittently, since these components can degrade between uses without obvious symptoms until a start is attempted.