Greetings everyone,
I'm a newbie when it comes to forums and chat sites, so please forgive me for my ignorance on proper customs and courtesies with posting new topics.
For starters, I've already been down the rabbit hole on seized engines using google and other sites (You Tube) with little luck finding anyone with a Petter AC1W Inboard diesel. Not that this should matter too much. In any case, I purchased a Catalina 27 from a fellow who was just using the boat as a "Sneak-Aboard" for his young son. My guess was that this was probably a decent option, given the rental rates in San Diego versus the costs to dock a boat at a marina for $400 a month or so. The boat is in great condition, but the previous owner mentioned the motor was seized.
I've only tried to bar the engine over with the crank lever manually, as the battery was dead to turn it over with the starter. What's more, when opening up the Seacock, (Raw Water Inlet Valve), I didn't see any water fill the Seawater strainer. This was my first clue as to what may have caused this particular diesel to seize up. So, I pulled the water hose off the seacock valve nipple, to discover water coming through just fine. (Only about 1/4 gallon per minute or so starter coming through). I quickly replaced the water line to stop the water from flooding my bilge - and sinking my boat. Yes, probably not the best method with the boat in the water, but now I know the hull-through is faulty too; as I also discovered the valve is broken in the OPEN position. So, now I'm relying on whatever is clogging that line to keep water from coming in or going to the engine. It probably sounds more horrifying than it is, but the boat is still on the right side of the waterline for now. Once I replaced the hose line, all went back to the way it had been sitting for however long it was before I bought the boat.
Now, knowing that I can get water to the engine (albeit from a broken hull-through valve, which will be replaced at the next haul-out), I'd like to get the engine turned over/unseized. I should probably pull off the head (replace the gasket afterwards) to get a peak at the cylinder/pistons. I want to be able to determine, definitively, if the engine is seized and what may be causing it. Not being able to turn the manual crank with the decompression lever open is my only indicator, and it's definitely a good one. Having no Raw Seawater going to the engine is most likely culprit in this seized-up mystery, but is there anything else I should look into first?
It was recommended that I drain the oil and look at the viscosity/color to determine if there is "bigger fish to fry" (as in cracked block, faulty bearings etc.)
I've never really dealt with a Lister-Petter AC1W Diesel before, but it has all the same workings as any other small diesel. My goal is to get this motor to run (unseize it) so I can drive it over the boat yard and have it hauled out for bottom paint and hull-through replacement. Also, I want to have it surveyed out of the water for a proper appraisal. I figure a working inboard motor would help.
I sincerely appreciate and respect all serious recommendations and guidance. This boat is going to be used for our charity that teaches at-risk youth sailing fundamentals.
Thanks ya'll
John B.
I'm a newbie when it comes to forums and chat sites, so please forgive me for my ignorance on proper customs and courtesies with posting new topics.
For starters, I've already been down the rabbit hole on seized engines using google and other sites (You Tube) with little luck finding anyone with a Petter AC1W Inboard diesel. Not that this should matter too much. In any case, I purchased a Catalina 27 from a fellow who was just using the boat as a "Sneak-Aboard" for his young son. My guess was that this was probably a decent option, given the rental rates in San Diego versus the costs to dock a boat at a marina for $400 a month or so. The boat is in great condition, but the previous owner mentioned the motor was seized.
I've only tried to bar the engine over with the crank lever manually, as the battery was dead to turn it over with the starter. What's more, when opening up the Seacock, (Raw Water Inlet Valve), I didn't see any water fill the Seawater strainer. This was my first clue as to what may have caused this particular diesel to seize up. So, I pulled the water hose off the seacock valve nipple, to discover water coming through just fine. (Only about 1/4 gallon per minute or so starter coming through). I quickly replaced the water line to stop the water from flooding my bilge - and sinking my boat. Yes, probably not the best method with the boat in the water, but now I know the hull-through is faulty too; as I also discovered the valve is broken in the OPEN position. So, now I'm relying on whatever is clogging that line to keep water from coming in or going to the engine. It probably sounds more horrifying than it is, but the boat is still on the right side of the waterline for now. Once I replaced the hose line, all went back to the way it had been sitting for however long it was before I bought the boat.
Now, knowing that I can get water to the engine (albeit from a broken hull-through valve, which will be replaced at the next haul-out), I'd like to get the engine turned over/unseized. I should probably pull off the head (replace the gasket afterwards) to get a peak at the cylinder/pistons. I want to be able to determine, definitively, if the engine is seized and what may be causing it. Not being able to turn the manual crank with the decompression lever open is my only indicator, and it's definitely a good one. Having no Raw Seawater going to the engine is most likely culprit in this seized-up mystery, but is there anything else I should look into first?
It was recommended that I drain the oil and look at the viscosity/color to determine if there is "bigger fish to fry" (as in cracked block, faulty bearings etc.)
I've never really dealt with a Lister-Petter AC1W Diesel before, but it has all the same workings as any other small diesel. My goal is to get this motor to run (unseize it) so I can drive it over the boat yard and have it hauled out for bottom paint and hull-through replacement. Also, I want to have it surveyed out of the water for a proper appraisal. I figure a working inboard motor would help.
I sincerely appreciate and respect all serious recommendations and guidance. This boat is going to be used for our charity that teaches at-risk youth sailing fundamentals.
Thanks ya'll
John B.
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