Several years I was I believe well advised with regard to our engine: "If it starts easily and runs smoothly, just change the oil and filters regularly, clean the air filter annually and otherwise try to touch it as little as possible. If it seems happy, just leave it in peace."
We've followed this philosophy with good results, but sadly the point has come where I believe I'm forced to disturb the status quo: Over this summer's cruise, we've been down on power and kicking out black smoke; though I think the former is as a result of the latter, insofar as we're holding the revs down, to avoid the smoke. If we actually gun the engine hard, it responds as well as ever, but belches out clouds of black smoke and a stream of soot from the exhaust - there may be some diesel coming out too, but I don't believe this grunge has a significant oil content. On the basis of these symptoms, I believe that the injector nozzles might be past their best, but also that the fuel pump timing is retarded? That said, I'm a long way from being an expert' when it comes to diesel engines - actually, I probably need to cover some distance before I reach competent!
Any opinons/comment regarding my diagnosis would be appreciated.
Moving on to a cure - assuming I'm on the right track: The injector nozzles are easy enough, I'll just remove the injectors complete, seal up the holes into the cylinder head and take them back to a friend (who is competent) in the UK to get them cleaned and serviced or if needs be replaced, whatever he advises.
The fuel pump timing I need to address myself, I remember seeing an article (I think off this forum) some years ago, which I copied but can't now find, that suggested that there's a pretty big comfort zone to the settings and that you can adjust it by ear/sight. But in which direction ought I to be turning the pump? On the basis that I'm looking at it from the front/saloon end, does it advance (a) clockwise/right/toward the engine block/port side? or (b) anti-clockwise/left/away from the engine block toward the boat's starboard side? Secondly, as a starting point, how many degrees of turn is a likely to be necessary? Are we talking 3-5 or 10-15 degrees here? Finally, how do you physically get the fuel pump to turn? Whilst either my strap or chain wrench might well go around the unit and get a firm grip, I'm not sure that there's enough space to turn them once they're fitted. Is it possible to tap the pump around in the correct direction with a
hammer & punch/blunt screwdriver?
Any and all advice will be appreciated.
Bob Carlisle
Spring Fever 1776
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
We've followed this philosophy with good results, but sadly the point has come where I believe I'm forced to disturb the status quo: Over this summer's cruise, we've been down on power and kicking out black smoke; though I think the former is as a result of the latter, insofar as we're holding the revs down, to avoid the smoke. If we actually gun the engine hard, it responds as well as ever, but belches out clouds of black smoke and a stream of soot from the exhaust - there may be some diesel coming out too, but I don't believe this grunge has a significant oil content. On the basis of these symptoms, I believe that the injector nozzles might be past their best, but also that the fuel pump timing is retarded? That said, I'm a long way from being an expert' when it comes to diesel engines - actually, I probably need to cover some distance before I reach competent!
Any opinons/comment regarding my diagnosis would be appreciated.
Moving on to a cure - assuming I'm on the right track: The injector nozzles are easy enough, I'll just remove the injectors complete, seal up the holes into the cylinder head and take them back to a friend (who is competent) in the UK to get them cleaned and serviced or if needs be replaced, whatever he advises.
The fuel pump timing I need to address myself, I remember seeing an article (I think off this forum) some years ago, which I copied but can't now find, that suggested that there's a pretty big comfort zone to the settings and that you can adjust it by ear/sight. But in which direction ought I to be turning the pump? On the basis that I'm looking at it from the front/saloon end, does it advance (a) clockwise/right/toward the engine block/port side? or (b) anti-clockwise/left/away from the engine block toward the boat's starboard side? Secondly, as a starting point, how many degrees of turn is a likely to be necessary? Are we talking 3-5 or 10-15 degrees here? Finally, how do you physically get the fuel pump to turn? Whilst either my strap or chain wrench might well go around the unit and get a firm grip, I'm not sure that there's enough space to turn them once they're fitted. Is it possible to tap the pump around in the correct direction with a
hammer & punch/blunt screwdriver?
Any and all advice will be appreciated.
Bob Carlisle
Spring Fever 1776
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
