The bloke behind the bench
About Sydney Diesel Marine
Phil Lulic at the Sydney Diesel Marine workbench with a Yanmar marine diesel, photo 1 of 5
Phil Lulic, an unapologetic engine nerd, questionable fisherman and clever problem solver, inherited his passion for the marine industry from his family who were avid water ski racers (Swooper; a vintage Connelly proudly occupies a corner of Phil’s workshop in Artarmon). Learning his trade under Wayne Newman Marine, Phil started Sydney Diesel Marine in 2011 and has continued to hone his skill and knowledge of marine diesel engines across Sydney’s waterways, as far as Queensland, Victoria and WA.
Fifteen years on, he’s made SDM Australia’s only Yanmar specialist, with a serious range of genuine and rebuilt parts on the shelf in Artarmon and a workshop trusted by professional racing crews and commercial ferry operators alike.
From routine servicing on cruisers to emergency diagnostics on commercial ferries, every engine gets the same treatment: turn up prepared, fix it properly, get the owner back on the water. Phil’s still on the tools himself, and every job is held to the same standard.
“Do it once, do it right.”
Yanmar Authorised Dealer & Parts Specialist
NSW Yanmar Marine Dealer of the Year
Est. 2011, owner-run for 15 years
Mobile service by road and work boat
Racing
- Wild Oats XI
- Celestial
- Law Connect
- Gretel II
Commercial
- Sydney Ferries
- Fantasy Cruises
- Maria Island Ferry
- Lagoon 60 charter fleet
Straight from the workshop
Phil’s Tips & Tricks
The advice Phil gives every owner, free of charge. A well-treated marine diesel is a reliable one.
Tether the key to the sea cock
If you close the sea cock for the engine every time you leave the vessel, leave the engine key tethered to the sea cock handle. You physically cannot start the engine without opening the water first.
Let it warm up
Always let your engine warm up before working it. A few minutes at the dock gives the oil time to circulate, and you will get a better service life out of the engine for it.
Do not idle for long periods
Marine diesels do not like idling for long stretches. Extended idling glazes the cylinder bores. If the glazing is not extreme, a hard run at high rpm will clear it, but the better habit is not to let it sit idling in the first place.
Keep the bilge clean
For closed bilges under the engine, keep the area clean. A clean bilge shows you immediately if anything is leaking, whether engine oil, diesel, coolant or seawater, before it becomes a breakdown.
Yanmar sail drive oil: read the dipstick right
On a Yanmar sail drive, the "top" mark for the lubrication oil is the bottom line on the dipstick. Fill above that line and the oil expands with heat under normal running, which is exactly what you do not want.
Have your tappet clearances checked
Ask for the tappet clearances to be measured at your next service. Keeping them properly adjusted gives the engine a better performing, cleaner running life.