Run away diesel

[vegatern]

A couple of questions,
1. In the event of a runaway diesel I've heard that it should be stopped by stuffing up the air breather. On the Volvo MD7A that can be done but it would be awkward to reach and probably would require removing the cockpit sole. Wouldn't pulling up the decompression lever kill the engine?

2. I've read someplace that it is strongly suggested there should be an in-line fuse close to the battery, else where it is not mentioned. A neighbor thinks it would pop every time I started the engine. Should there be a fuse? Where would it go and what size? Thanks

Craig Tern 1519

 

[btfag0s]

Anything shoved into the breather is likely to end up inside the engine, taking your hand with it.

Removing a fuse won't stop a diesel engine.

Decompression/stop lever is the way to go, possibly also having a way to interrupt the fuel line.

Alisdair

 

[rolyatad]

A burst from a CO2 fire extinguisher is supposed to be effective.

 

[n4lbl]

I presume that all (most?) diesels use a fuel shut-off to turn them off and
that your MD7A has one. Is your question what to do if the fuel shut-off
fails?? On my MD6A I fear that since my cable is failing, the inner cable
coming thru the corroded outer cable.

I have no real experience with diesels and perhaps shouldn't try to answer
your questions. Nevertheless, it seems logical that the compression
release would provide the answer you are looking for. If the fuel shut-off
cable is the problem the stop lever (that the shut-off connects to) is less
accessible than the compression release. I plan to re-install my throttle
cable today and can look to see if using the stop lever is practical.

I just cracked the MD6A - MD7A Workshop Manual. On the MD6A the stop lever
is labeled and easy to see in the picture. Not true in the MD-7A picture.
I can scan the pictures and e-mail them if you wish.

I am inexperienced on the electrical side too (but can't shut up!) and ask
the question: what are you protecting? Every piece of gear except the
starter and electric bilge pump would already have it's own fuse.

Alan

 

[groundhogyh]

I am assuming these are two totally unrelated questions...

On 2, I can say that battery draw would be less if you start with the decompression lever up. The current draw would be of lower size and longer duration as the hefty flywheel energy is actually mostly turning over the engine.

Electric motors draw current based on how much resistance they face. So the worst case would be a diesel with a tiny flywheel and no decompression lever. Causing a larger impulse of current..

gh