I have been a professional mechanic for over 20 years, and the last few have certainly challenged me as new technology and updates have come into the field. From companies that set proprietary boundaries around their engines and parts, to unique puzzles that send us all to Google seeking answers to all manner of questions—directing us to pictures, websites with more information, and YouTube videos. Instead of connecting you with actual experts (or people presenting themselves as such), the way we search in 2026 just gives us answers.
Wait, computers are expert diesel mechanics, giving engine advice as if it had been turning wrenches for years? Not exactly. Of course, these apparently simple answers are synthesizing some existing information, but the technology is also choosing which information seems most correct… To whom, though? The computer? The humans who created the technology?
In 2026, boat owners in search of information are often receiving a snap diagnosis that presents itself as the answer, and with no apology or recourse when it is wrong. I’ve been encountering more boat owners who seem to be taking AI’s advice regarding marine diesel engines, and that scares me.
Recently, I was called to a trawler with twin Cummins 6BT engines for a “low power” diagnostic on the port engine. One of the owners called and told me AI had advised him the problem was with the turbo or the charge air cooler, and he just wanted me to change the part. After a few minutes of trying to convince him to let me check a few other things, he finally agreed and I opened up the primary Racor fuel/water separator to find it was absolutely stuffed with algae. I couldn’t help but laugh as I asked if he still wanted to pay for me to change out the turbo. Needless to say, he happily accepted the easier and far less expensive fix.
While a failing turbo or damaged/leaking charge air cooler can certainly cause loss of power, it’s on the more extreme end of the likely culprits, and there are several simpler, more common, and much cheaper things to check first.
A second client called me after attempting to start his engine wondering why there was water coming out of his engine. AI had informed him that the engine was “self bleeding” and could simply be cranked over until it had started. Technically this is true, however not only are you going to burn up your starter if AI doesn’t remind you to close your seacock, but you risk hydrolocking the engine. He had water coming out of his starter from cranking it so much. Experience has shown me that cracking an injector would be a safer and more expeditious alternative.
From what I’ve found, the majority of answers related to marine diesels you will get via AI are incomplete, vague, or false. If you don’t know better, taking its advice at face value can be harmful to your engine and your wallet. Depending on your chosen AI interface, it may provide you with its source material or could be simply pulling from a variety of places online.
Accordingly, whether you’re working with a mechanic or approaching a project as a DIYer, it’s more important than ever to try to develop your own understanding of your boat, its systems, and the foundational basics that make those systems work. Wherever you’re seeking information, follow the trail as best you can to identify the source material, decide if you trust it, and then take time to dig into some of the nuances that might be lost or glossed over in a simplified, synthesized computational response.
A few weeks ago, I decided to put AI to the test, assessing its marine diesel diagnostic “skills” through my lens of real-life experience. At first, it couldn’t ID the engine or the components that a particular model had. It kept mixing up different models of Yanmars, claiming I needed to check things that did not exist on the engine I was trying to work on. When AI provided me with a picture, it used an image of the wrong engine labeled incorrectly.
I finally gave it an easy and rather generic task helping me diagnose an engine that would not crank or start, and it got that right. But even that response was vague and the answers provided did not apply to every engine. I tried following up like a beginning DIY-minded boat owner by asking it to elaborate, and the responses then got more confused and started showing me automotive references and advice.
While AI can be an effective resource for the expert, beginners should be wary of the associated hassles and hazards. When you don’t know enough to see if AI is taking you down the wrong path, you may soon find yourself retracing steps and getting more confused, or acting on poor advice. While it may seem less convenient at first, high quality reference materials to learn from like one of Nigel Calder’s marine diesel books, a service manual, or a textbook on diesel engines are still my best recommendations for those hoping to learn their systems. Then, consider AI as a supplemental resource.
As has been true long before AI, a properly trained diesel mechanic is likely to diagnose and repair your engine correctly the first time, and in an efficient manner. But as you know, I love to support boaters hoping to tackle a project by themselves. Those on a DIY endeavor often need assistance from an outside source, and my suggestions here are also evergreen. Yes, accessing knowledge through quality written and video content can help you grasp principles, but translating that to reality is an age-old challenge.
Many of you may ask a more knowledgeable friend or dock neighbor, a great next step. If, along the way, you find you’re looking for more trusted knowledge, most mechanics are happy to consult with you over the phone for a comparatively small fee—walking you through the steps of what to check or helping you get back on course. This guidance is more helpful if you have your own base of knowledge, reinforcing the incentive to inform yourself about what parts are, where they are located, and the basic functions of each system (fuel, cooling, etc.). A whole engine can be daunting, so try teaching yourself one system at a time.
There have always been good and bad sources of information out there, and boaters continue to be tasked with navigating it. Though the time of personal education and tedium of information verification might sound like big compromises, it is ultimately a lot cheaper and more sensible than damaging your engine or replacing parts unnecessarily following incorrect advice, wherever it came from.
In other words, this mechanic’s advice is to approach marine diesel information you get via AI with caution. It will be good to verify it, ensure it’s coming from a trustworthy source, and ground as much as you can in the real world with hands-on experience. Ultimately, maintaining your boat attentively, developing knowledge and self-reliance, and soliciting good advice are the best assurances of a great time on the water. Good luck and happy sailing!
Meredith Anderson is the owner of Madame Diesel, LLC, where she operates a mobile mechanic service and teaches hands-on marine diesel classes. Check out Meredith’s YouTube channel: @Madamediesel671
