Do I have a Westerbeke 46 engine knock?

[AndrewTinker]

Just got done running my Westerbeke 46.
What do you think? Sounds like I have a knock, can someone confirm?

Lowest throttle to about half way:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/fFb65LyZoHGu3xHe9

half way after running a few minutes:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Q4ChUqiQ4bcrvLzD8

[Wotname]

Welcome aboard AndrewTinker.

That 'knock' doesn't sound good. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be able to offer a diagnosis.

[skipperpete]

If “just got running my Westerbeke46” means after an overhaul , you might have a problem but identifying a knock to a specific part of the engine from audio/ video is very difficult. There is one way to identify a buggered con rod bearing though, if you give the throttle a blip up to 2500 or 3000 rpm and listen intently for the death rattle as she drops to idle, it’s a unique knock that is often not heard at any other time (one lazy stroke) and this quick test also eliminates diesel knock ….. no fuel on backdown means any noise during this test will most likely be mechanical, not fuel related. The noise could still be diesel knock,….. but not if the noise remains during the test.
Has any work been done on the engine recently?

[AndrewTinker]

Thanks skipperpete

She has been sitting on dry for over a year. I just started work on her after letting sit. No work to engine recently.

Trying to understand your test...
options:
1)I run it up to 3000 and then shut it off to listen?
2)I run it up to 3000 and then quickly bring throttle all the way down and listen?
3)I just run it it up to 3000 and listen?

[skipperpete]

Originally Posted by AndrewTinker

Thanks skipperpete

She has been sitting on dry for over a year. I just started work on her after letting sit. No work to engine recently.

Trying to understand your test...
options:
1)I run it up to 3000 and then shut it off to listen?
2)I run it up to 3000 and then quickly bring throttle all the way down and listen?
3)I just run it it up to 3000 and listen?

Go for option 2. You’ll recognise the noise if it’s there. How’s the oil pressure?

[Svzamae]

Sounds pretty good to me.
Some diesel engines have diesel knock or rattle more than others.
If you really want to do something, though I don't think it's necessary, bleed your injectors, that may make it a little quieter.

[AndrewTinker]

Paul my buddy who is a smart mechanic seems to agree with you that it seems fine. One extra not is I'm running hose water through the heater connection and out on to the ground, so the engine never heats up. I'm only running it a few minutes at a time.

Here is the throttle up and cut to zero throttle test skipperpete suggested:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/NfVGS7hPP9J227Ym6

Maybe worth noting, on the end of this video when I cut off the engine it makes some clanking.

[skipperpete]

Yeah a stone cold engine will rattle a lot, more so if it’s indirect injection. I figure it’s not frosty in that part of the world judging by the bare feet but the mains water would be cool enough to make er rattle, my diesel SUV runs noisily until the temp rises and then she goes quiet.
A drive plate ( damper plate) makes a noise like that at shutdown if it’s loose or happens to be a Vulkan type with the ramps and bump stops ….and some gearboxes can do that too.

[motion30]

Sounds normal to me
My question is..... did this guy step on a revolving alternator pulley as he was climbing up the step?

[stormalong]

Originally Posted by motion30

Sounds normal to me
My question is..... did this guy step on a revolving alternator pulley as he was climbing up the step?

If you look carefully he put his knee on the step. He never touched the engine. I had to look three times to figure it out.

[AndrewTinker]

Originally Posted by stormalong

If you look carefully he put his knee on the step. He never touched the engine. I had to look three times to figure it out.

Lol I did a double take myself, the first couple times, and it's my foot.

[Lepke]

A 3 or 4 cylinder diesel can sound like a rod knock if you have a plugged injector or one injector isn't getting the same amount of fuel. If you take a long screw driver and place the tip on the head and the handle to your ear you can see if the cylinders sound different.

Or use a mechanic's stethoscope. Under $10 on Amazon.