MARINE MECHANIC CLASSES

Core Training

As part of the 51-week Marine Technician Specialist program at Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI), students undergo core marine mechanic training through online lectures and hands-on application in labs.¹⁸ These classes focus on the core skills required to diagnose, maintain and repair marine systems.^1.3

Marine Mathematics and Physical Science Principles: Engines

Students will be introduced to professional work standards; shop safety; and the proper use of hand, measuring and precision tools. They will receive boat motor repair training and be taught the fundamentals of operation for the internal combustion engine, including two-stroke and four-stroke operations.

Also covered will be the lubrication, cooling and exhaust systems as well as the differences between outboard and sterndrive systems. Students will be taught to perform the steps required to diagnose and service marine engines with mechanical-related concerns.

Lower Units/Outdrives

Students will become familiar with the designs and functions of outboard and sterndrive motor-cooling systems. They will be taught to diagnose, troubleshoot and repair cooling systems to manufacturers’ specifications.

Also covered will be the benefits of properly designed and maintained exhaust systems for outboard and sterndrive systems. Students will become familiar with the operation of various manufacturers’ lower unit assemblies and perform the diagnostic and troubleshooting procedures required to determine problems within the lower unit.

Rigging

Students will be taught to perform procedures for rigging outboard motors; aligning sterndrive engines; instrument gauge installation and electrical hookup; remote control; and predelivery adjustments. The importance of rigging as it relates to customer satisfaction will be emphasized. Students also will perform setup, installation and maintenance procedures for common optional equipment, including trailers, trolling motors and depth finders.

Service Department Operations & Consumer Communication

Students will become familiar with various service department job functions with dealerships of major manufacturers, including Honda Marine, Mercury Marine, MerCruiser, Suzuki, Volvo Penta and Yamaha. They will be taught how the technician functions within the dealership in dealing with parts, inventory, warranties, repair orders, technical bulletins, flat rates and service manuals.

Also covered will be hands-on approaches to learn the importance of the various roles in these areas. Students will also be required to demonstrate knowledge and abilities through written tests and the use of unique training workstations that utilize manufacturers’ computer software.

Fuel & Lubrication Systems

Students will be taught to identify carburetor systems and EFI fuel systems on various outboards and sterndrives. They will gain hands-on training in diagnosing minor fuel system problems, rebuilding carburetors and performing basic carburetion synchronization adjustments on various fuel system configurations.

Upon completion of this course, students will have completed boat motor repair training and will be familiar with procedures to diagnose, troubleshoot and repair various fuel systems with special attention to carburetors and EFI systems. Various types of oils and lubricant rating systems used in the marine industry are covered, as well as troubleshooting and repairing different types of lubrication systems.

Marine Physical Science Principles: Electrical Fundamentals

Students will become familiar with the basics of electrical theory and components. They will be taught to read all ranges of the ohmmeter, voltmeter and ammeter, and test components of known value to ensure accurate readings.

Also covered will be wiring repair, replacement and maintenance. Instruction also will cover various manufacturer electrical test equipment, such as coil testers, spark testers and battery testers. Safety procedures required for working with electricity and electrical systems will be emphasized.

Electrical Systems

Students will become familiar with the design and function of the starting, ignition, charging, lighting, engine management and accessory systems. They will be taught to use all ranges of the ohmmeter, voltmeter and ammeter to test electrical systems and verify electrical systems are functioning to manufacturer specifications.

Also covered will be the electrical test equipment of various manufacturers, including peak voltage meters and direct voltage adapters. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to identify the different types of outboard ignition, charging, starter, warning, lighting and accessory systems and be proficient at diagnosing minor problems within each system.

Electrical Diagnostics

Students will diagnose minor electrical problems within the outboard ignition, charging, starting, warning, engine management, lighting and accessory systems. They will expand their basic knowledge of electrical systems, with an emphasis on problem diagnostics of both newer technical systems and unique older systems.

Diesel 1

Students will be taught to perform service and maintenance on marine diesel engines used in pleasure craft and light commercial applications. They will become familiar with the theory of diesel compression ignition and combustion fundamentals, including the four-stroke engine cycle.

Also covered will be the basic operation of a diesel engine, including essential subsystems such as the air intake system, exhaust system, cooling system, lubrication system and engine accessories. Students will get hands-on training performing entry-level inspection and preventive maintenance, in accordance with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) guidelines. They also will diagnose basic system malfunctions using specially designed diesel engine training aids.

Diesel 2

Students will become familiar with the basic operation of marine diesel fuel systems and electronic engine management used in pleasure craft and light commercial applications. They will be taught about various marine diesel fuel systems, including rotary distributor pump systems, inline injection pump systems, high-pressure common rail (HPCR) systems, electronic unit injection (EUI) systems and hydraulically actuated electronic unit injection (HEUI) systems.

Also covered will be the diagnosis of operational issues with marine diesel fuel injection systems and electronic engine management. Students will also use electronic tools to diagnose and troubleshoot fuel systems and engine accessories, including electronically controlled turbochargers and compressors with basic fuel delivery systems.

Additional Diesel Classes

By enrolling in the 60-week Marine & Diesel Technician Training program, in addition to the courses above, MMI students will undergo an additional nine weeks of diesel training in the form of our Hydraulics; Diesel Engine Fuel Systems and Accessories; and Transport Refrigeration courses. During this curriculum, students can learn the fundamentals of diesel mechanics for marine systems. Completing this additional coursework earns them an occupational associate degree (OAD), rather than a diploma, as well as factory credentials.

OEM Training

To finish our marine technician programs, students participate in brand-specific original equipment manufacturer (OEM) marine mechanic classes lasting three weeks each. This allows them to gain specialized marine servicing skills.

After completing all required marine engine courses, students are prepared to pursue factory credentials, qualifying them to apply for entry-level jobs at these brands’ dealerships. Graduates also earn diplomas.

Volvo Penta

Students will take marine engine courses and become familiar with Volvo Penta of the Americas products and be taught to identify Volvo Penta gasoline sterndrive engines. They will be taught to perform setup and maintenance tasks on these engines as well as on Volvo Penta drive systems.

Also covered will be the diagnosis of Delco EST ignition systems. Students will also be taught about Volvo Penta’s marine electronic fuel injection used on gasoline engines.

Honda Marine

Students will be introduced to American Honda Marine products and be taught to identify the various models of Honda four-stroke outboard motors. They will demonstrate an understanding of Honda’s outboard warranty policy and be introduced to factory Honda outboard special tools.

Also covered will be the troubleshooting of Honda’s DC-CDI and TMI ignition systems, performing maintenance tests on charging systems, and servicing electronic trim and tilt assemblies. Students will also troubleshoot outboard fuel systems, including Honda’s programmed fuel injection system.

Yamaha Marine

Students will become familiar with Yamaha Motor Corporation products and be taught to identify Yamaha outboard motors. They will inspect, troubleshoot and perform tasks on Yamaha fuel systems (carburetors, electronic fuel injection and high-pressure direct injection), oil injection systems, ignition systems Capacitor Discharge Ignition (CDI and microcomputer-CDI), and valve trains. Students will be taught to troubleshoot engines using a computer and Yamaha diagnostics.

Suzuki Marine

Students will be introduced to American Suzuki Motor Corporation products and be taught to identify Suzuki two-stroke and four-stroke outboard motors. They will become familiar with Suzuki outboard warranty procedures and the Suzuki Extended Protection system.

Also covered will be specialized Suzuki outboard tools and diagnostic equipment, including the Suzuki Diagnostic System (SDS). Students will also diagnose Suzuki outboard ignition and charging systems, service four-stroke outboard timing belts and chains, and troubleshoot engine vibration and noise complaints.

MercTech 1

Students get the chance to gain the knowledge and skills required to become entry-level technicians in the Mercury Marine dealer network. The course is equipped with current Mercury Marine outboard products.

Also covered will be Mercury’s method of service administration with the emphasis placed on customer service and satisfaction. Proper warranty, pre-delivery inspection and seasonal maintenance procedures will be covered. Students will be taught procedures to diagnose, troubleshoot and repair cooling, exhaust, charging and ignition systems specific to Mercury Marine products.

MercTech 2

Students can take their manufacturer-specific skills to the next level with advanced training on the MerCruiser Marine products. They will be taught procedures to diagnose, troubleshoot and repair problems related to starting systems. Students also will get hands-on training with diagnosing, troubleshooting and repairing fuel systems, including EFI and carbureted.

Capstone

Students will demonstrate key competencies related to the entire Marine program by displaying the application of their knowledge in a hands-on environment. Performance testing may include but is not limited to gas and diesel engine components and adjustments; lower units and outdrives; rigging; service operations and parts management; fuel and lubrication systems; and testing electrical systems and engine management systems. Students will demonstrate their skills on a wide range of manufacturer engines, including Mercury, MerCruiser, Honda, Marine, Yamaha Marine and Suzuki Marine.