Engine Room Explained · Book 1
The Main Engine
How it works, what goes wrong, and how to fix it. Written for marine engineers, cadets and oral exam candidates.
Trailer
See the book and the interactive edition
Inside the interactive edition
The Main Engine: pre-order now
More on the channel: youtube.com/@EngineRoomExplained
Inside every chapter
Same six parts, every time
Each chapter follows one order, so on watch or before your oral exam you find the answer fast. Short sentences, plain English, written from what you see, hear and smell on board.
- 1
Working principle
Purpose, a labelled diagram, a table of parts and what each does, and how it works step by step, following the animation.
- 2
Problems faced
Three to six real problems, most common first. The signs on board: gauges, sounds, smells and alarms.
- 3
Solutions
For each problem: causes, the immediate action, the permanent fix, and how to stop it happening again.
- 4
Safety precautions
What must be done before anyone opens up or works on the machinery.
- 5
Exam questions
Five to eight oral exam questions with model answers, and the follow-up the examiner may ask next.
- 6
Watch the video
A full video lesson for every chapter, on the Engine Room Explained channel.
Interactive edition
Tap it, move it, see inside it
The interactive edition comes with the book. It turns each chapter into a working model. Move the parts, follow the gas and oil, handle a fault on watch, and test yourself for the oral exam.
- 15interactive chapter pages
- 15full engine animations you can control
- 15full video lessons
- 15oral exam practice sets
Book 1 · Out 30 November 2026
Reserve your copy now
The book, the interactive edition, and a full video lesson for every chapter.
Contents
15 chapters, one engine
The whole slow-speed, two-stroke, crosshead main engine, explained on the MC-C engine from start to finish, with the electronic ME-C and ME-B engines and the rules every engineer must know.
- CH 01The two-stroke cycle
- CH 02Structure and running gearBedplate, frame, tie rods, crosshead and guides
- CH 03Piston, piston rod and stuffing box
- CH 04Cylinder liner and cylinder lubrication
- CH 05Turbocharger and scavenge air system
- CH 06Exhaust valve
- CH 07Fuel injection system
- CH 08Starting air system and reversing
- CH 09Main lubricating oil system
- CH 10Main engine cooling water
- CH 11Engine control and safety devices
- CH 12Main engine emergenciesScavenge fire, crankcase explosion, starting air line explosion
- CH 13Performance monitoring
- CH 14Electronically controlled enginesME-C and ME-B
- CH 15Rules, environment and the main engine
Book 1 of the Engine Room Explained series.
Who it is for
Written for the engine room
Marine engineers
A quick, clear reference for what you see on watch, what causes it and what to do first.
Cadets
Learn the main engine part by part, with diagrams and animations that show how it really moves.
Oral exam candidates
Every chapter ends with the questions examiners ask, model answers, and the follow-up they may ask next.
Pre-order
Book 1: The Main Engine
- All 15 chapters on the main engine
- Interactive edition included: 15 working models, 15 full animations and 15 full video lessons
- The digital book (PDF), ready to read on any device
- Diagrams, fault blocks and safety checklists in every chapter
- Oral exam questions with model answers
- Links to every matching video
- Digital Book (PDF)Pre-order
- Interactive EditionPre-order
- Book + Interactive Bundle Best valuePre-order
Choose your edition and pre-order on Gumroad. Out 30 November 2026.
Pre-order bonus: pre-order Book 1 and get 30% off Book 2.
Secure checkout on Gumroad. You get a confirmation email straight away. Pre-orders can be refunded on request before release.
Not ready yet? Get the free PDF first.
Questions
Before you pre-order
When does Book 1 come out?
On 30 November 2026. Pre-order now at the early-bird price and your copy is delivered on release day.
Which engine does the book cover?
The slow-speed, two-stroke, crosshead main engine: the camshaft MC-C engine, the kind found on many merchant ships, and the electronically controlled ME-C and ME-B engines. Chapter 15 covers the rules: MARPOL, SOLAS, ISM, EEXI and CII.
What is the interactive edition?
Each chapter as a page you can use on your phone, tablet or computer. You can move the parts, follow the flow of gas, air and oil, handle a fault on watch, and practise oral exam questions.
How do I get 30% off Book 2?
Pre-order Book 1 before release. The Book 2 discount is sent to the email you use when you pre-order.
Is it useful for my oral exam?
Yes. Every chapter ends with five to eight oral exam questions and model answers, plus the follow-up questions examiners often ask.
Is the book written in simple English?
Yes. It uses short, plain sentences for readers whose first language is not English, and keeps the exact technical words used on board.