On Dec. 4 I wrote an article that my genset would not start. I finally got a diesel machanic out ane he figured it to be a fuel problem too. Messed around with fuel system etc. It would act as if it was trying to start but we never got it running. We then took the valve cover off and "what a mess". There was thick black gue around the intake ports, just about plugging them up, when we cranked the engine, there was major blowback from the intake ports. Obviously leaking valves=low compression and it was not going to start any more. The why! 975 hours, 9 years old. It was a predictable outcome. The soundproofing material that had been installed when the boat was built had slowly deteriorated from heat and age and had in many areas turned into kind of a black powdery junk. This had been injested into the air intake which on Northern light generators of this size DO NOT HAVE ANY AIR FILTERING, and relly fouled things up. We pulled the head and will have every thing on track shortly. I pulled out all on the soundproofing material and will replace it, and provide better air circulation to keep the heat down in the fulture. Will try to figure out a way to get an air filter arranged for the little beast. It finally said it was not going to take any more abuse with ingesting sound proofing debris any more. BEWARE EVERYONE ! Most of our sailboats either have rudimentary air filters or don't have air filters at all. And the soundproofing material is getting old and with heat , starts to break down over time. This could cause some major unwelcome situations when we are out cruising.
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hmmm.
My yanmar SB8 aux doesn't have an airfilter either. And the boat is 28 years old. Thanks for the tip. I need to look into this.
My yanmar SB8 aux doesn't have an airfilter either. And the boat is 28 years old. Thanks for the tip. I need to look into this.
If you go to the grocery store in the
homecare aslie you can find stainless steel pot scrubbers. They make very good large particle traps and will serve to catch the butterflies before they reach the engine. Otherwise get a pleated filter for a shop vac and adapt that.
homecare aslie you can find stainless steel pot scrubbers. They make very good large particle traps and will serve to catch the butterflies before they reach the engine. Otherwise get a pleated filter for a shop vac and adapt that.
Thanks for the update
Wow, I have never heard of this situation. Was I way off thinking it was filters or a bad fuel pump. Glad you found the cause and that it is repairable. I may need to think about implementing an air filter myself.
Wow, I have never heard of this situation. Was I way off thinking it was filters or a bad fuel pump. Glad you found the cause and that it is repairable. I may need to think about implementing an air filter myself.
Soundproofing material!
Wouldn't this stuff enter the combustion chamber & plug up the piston ring to land clearances, & maybe score the cylinder walls etc?
Wouldn't this stuff enter the combustion chamber & plug up the piston ring to land clearances, & maybe score the cylinder walls etc?
K & N filters
makes high performance aftermarket filters for just about anything. Google K&N air filters.
makes high performance aftermarket filters for just about anything. Google K&N air filters.
I'd have never guessed
I'd have never guessed that your problem would be that off the wall. Certainly something to keep an eye on in the future. Thanks for the update.
I'd have never guessed that your problem would be that off the wall. Certainly something to keep an eye on in the future. Thanks for the update.
More on K&N filters
I used K&N filters back when I was a helmet-wearin' car guy. K&N's are more expensive than disposables but they have better airflow and they're durable and washable. For a sailor, that means they last for years, you don't need to carry spares and you don't have to worry about disposal either. Just keep a bottle of filter oil handy to oil the filter after each wash. One bottle should last the life of the filter. If you have limited room in the engine compartment, run a duct from the engine air intake to a more accessible location and mount the filter there. The filter should be in a location where it can draw cool air (more dense, more oxygen per given volume) so somewhere outside the hot engine compartment would be good. The duct may be long and have to go around corners, so it should be larger than the ID of the engine air intake so as not to restrict the airflow. It should also be rigid enough to withstand the engine vacuum without collapsing. Most aftermarket auto or truck supply houses should have what you need, or you can take the approach discussed on this boater forum (click on link below and scroll down to the last couple of replies). You can also google "air intake hose". Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven" and former BMW 2002tii driver
I used K&N filters back when I was a helmet-wearin' car guy. K&N's are more expensive than disposables but they have better airflow and they're durable and washable. For a sailor, that means they last for years, you don't need to carry spares and you don't have to worry about disposal either. Just keep a bottle of filter oil handy to oil the filter after each wash. One bottle should last the life of the filter. If you have limited room in the engine compartment, run a duct from the engine air intake to a more accessible location and mount the filter there. The filter should be in a location where it can draw cool air (more dense, more oxygen per given volume) so somewhere outside the hot engine compartment would be good. The duct may be long and have to go around corners, so it should be larger than the ID of the engine air intake so as not to restrict the airflow. It should also be rigid enough to withstand the engine vacuum without collapsing. Most aftermarket auto or truck supply houses should have what you need, or you can take the approach discussed on this boater forum (click on link below and scroll down to the last couple of replies). You can also google "air intake hose". Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven" and former BMW 2002tii driver
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