South Florida · Marine diesel service

Know your engine.
Trust your next trip.

Independent marine diesel service specializing in Caterpillar engines. From a difficult diagnosis to a major overhaul, get a clear understanding of what your engine needs.

Call (786) 390-4960 ↗

DIAGNOSTICS / MAINTENANCE / OVERHAULS

Key West to West Palm Beach · Worldwide travel available

Assembled marine diesel engine with white engine surfaces and black striped covers
MARINE DIESEL SERVICE SOUTH FLORIDA
CATERPILLAR ENGINE SPECIALISTHANDS-ON SERVICECLEAR COMMUNICATION

01 / What we do

From routine service
to the root of the problem.

Focused engine support for yacht owners, captains, and marine service professionals.

01

Advanced diagnostics & troubleshooting

Electronic and mechanical troubleshooting for engine faults, performance concerns, and cooling-system problems. ECM fault-code reading, lifetime status reports, and operating histograms where supported by the engine ECM.

02

Pre-purchase engine surveys

Detailed engine inspections and documented findings to help buyers make informed decisions. Available ECM history and operating data add context to the engine’s condition.

03

Scheduled maintenance & valve adjustment

1,000-hour services, valve lash inspection and adjustment, and routine maintenance tailored to the engine model, operating hours, and manufacturer’s recommendations.

04

Top-end & major overhauls

Top-end overhauls, major and full engine overhauls, component inspection, and cylinder head reconditioning.

05

Cooling systems & pump reconditioning

Raw-water cooling system and aftercooler maintenance and repairs. Reconditioning of raw-water pumps, coolant pumps, and engine lube sump pumps.

06

Turbochargers & injection pumps

Turbocharger reconditioning and balancing, plus injection-pump rebuilding as part of engine repair and fuel-system service.

07

Wiring & cable management

Wire harness fabrication and cable management for organized engine wiring and service access.

08

Durable in-house part coatings

Professional, durable coatings applied in-house to suitable engine components upon request.

Preventive maintenance & guidance

Informed owners.
Better-maintained engines.

I believe professional service includes helping clients understand their engine’s maintenance needs and the reasons behind manufacturers’ recommended schedules and procedures.

Today’s high-performance marine diesels demand careful maintenance and inspection. Clear guidance helps owners make informed decisions and reduce the risk of preventable failures and costly repairs.

— John Halak, Acert Diesel
Engine covers, gaskets, seals, and air filters arranged in the workshop
Attention to the components behind the maintenance.

02 / Behind the work

Real engines.
Hands-on experience.

A closer look at engine disassembly, onboard work, and the components behind every overhaul. Select a photo to see the full image.

Technicians working on an open engine block aboard a vessel with piston and connecting rod assemblies arranged beside the hatch

Onboard engine overhaul

Hands-on engine work with piston and connecting rod assemblies laid out beside the work area.

Disassembled yellow engine block with crankshaft removed and supported alongside it

Down to the core

Engine block and removed crankshaft during disassembly.

White engine block suspended from chain hoists inside a protected engine-room work area

Major work aboard

Engine block supported by chain hoists, with surrounding surfaces covered for the work.

More service & overhaul photos +
Cylinder-head handling during onboard engine work.

Cylinder-head work

Cylinder-head handling during onboard engine work.

Cylinder liners and head gasket during engine assembly.

Inside the overhaul

Cylinder liners and head gasket during engine assembly.

Coated brackets and engine components arranged in the workshop.

Component finishes

Coated brackets and engine components arranged in the workshop.

Close inspection of a bearing surface during disassembly.

Detailed component inspection

Close inspection of a bearing surface during disassembly.

Close view of the assembled engine and surrounding pipework.

Assembly detail

Close view of the assembled engine and surrounding pipework.

Marine diesel engines aboard the vessel.

Engine-room overview

Marine diesel engines aboard the vessel.

The details behind an overhaul

Clean, organized
overhaul work.

Careful work includes labeled parts storage, covered engine openings, prepared components, and protection for the vessel’s work areas.

Engine components stored in labeled, covered totes during the overhaul.

Labeled parts storage

Engine components stored in labeled, covered totes during the overhaul.

Organization from disassembly to reassembly.

These photographs show the care taken throughout an overhaul project, both in the workshop and aboard the vessel.

See the work in progress

Cable management & wire harness fabrication

Care in every connection.

Before and after engine cable management, showing improved routing and a more organized work area.

BEFOREBefore cable management: engine wiring and protective conduit crossing the oil-filter and starter area
Original wiring arrangement.
AFTERAfter cable management: engine wiring routed closer to the engine with clearer access around the oil filters and starter
Reorganized wiring and cable routing.

Project spotlight

One engine.
From workshop to vessel.

Six photographs from one project, showing the original condition, component preparation, assembly, and installation aboard.

Engine before the workshop work, with its original finish and components visible.

Original condition

Engine before the workshop work, with its original finish and components visible.

The assembled engine positioned in the vessel’s engine compartment.

Installed aboard

The assembled engine positioned in the vessel’s engine compartment.

Housings, seals, gaskets, and fasteners arranged on the workbench.

Components prepared

Housings, seals, gaskets, and fasteners arranged on the workbench.

A closer look at the painted housings, pipework, and hose connections.

Assembly detail

A closer look at the painted housings, pipework, and hose connections.

An overall view of the assembled engine in the workshop.

Workshop assembly

An overall view of the assembled engine in the workshop.

The engine being handled by a hoist above the vessel’s cockpit.

Moving aboard

The engine being handled by a hoist above the vessel’s cockpit.

John Halak working on a Caterpillar C32 marine diesel engine with the valve covers removed
John Halak working on a Caterpillar C32.

03 / The person behind the work

Three generations.
One hands-on approach.

Acert Diesel is led by John Halak, a third-generation marine diesel technician with a family background in Caterpillar service.

The focus is straightforward: inspect carefully, explain what was found, and recommend work based on the engine’s condition. You work directly with the technician doing the job.

Caterpillar-focused expertiseKey West to West Palm Beach

04 / What to expect

A clear path from concern to repair.

01 / DISCUSS

Start with the details.

Share your engine model, location, service history, and what you are experiencing so we can discuss the right scope.

02 / INSPECT

Understand the findings.

Inspection and testing help identify the issue. Findings are explained in plain language, with photos where useful.

03 / PLAN

Decide the next step.

Review the recommended work and estimate, then coordinate the approved repairs or maintenance.

Let’s talk about your engine

Good service starts
with a conversation.

Serving South Florida from Key West to West Palm Beach, including the Florida Keys, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale. Worldwide service is available by arrangement at an out-of-town rate, with travel costs quoted for each project.

  • Engine model and serial number, if available
  • Vessel location and requested work
  • Symptoms, service history, and preferred timing
CALL OR TEXT JOHN(786) 390-4960jvh@acertdiesel.com

Let’s discuss your engine, vessel location, and the work you need.