The case of the intermittent water cooling system

[brownoarsman]

Primary filter was dirty, secondary filter was very clean.
Still can't seem to clear water passages. Can't get hose from thermostat to mixing elbow off without a heat gun; hopefully I can borrow one in boot key.


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[brownoarsman]

So the block exit is 1/2 inch, whereas the manifold inlet is 5/8 inch. Could using 5/8 inch hose with a tight hose clamp be an issue? This is just a push, not a vacuum, so I thought it would be okay. Previous owner used 1/2 with a cut down the manifold inlet side to squeeze it over the 5/8 inch fitting.
I'm going to row around the anchorage to see if anyone has a 12v water pump.


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[brownoarsman]

Now she catches but won't sustain this morning. Going to try to sail to boot key and get a mechanic. Any other suggestions please let me know.


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[brownoarsman]

This has been endless fun! With the deep keel foiling to the current, I couldn't turn her into the wind enough to raise anchor. Waiting for slack water tomorrow AM to hopefully sail out of Bahia Honda to Boot Key.

Had some opportunity to look over the oberdorfer pump schematics on my phone, and it appears the current installation is missing a paper gasket and possibly some washers. Now-who was telling me it was the pump? It looks like I should have believed you right away! The things I do to avoid putting new parts on. Hopefully the engine hasn't been totally ruined by the hydrolock. Turning the crankshaft, it still feels like there is compression. Sigh. And it was only supposed to be a daysail.

(Yes I carry full load towing and collision/comprehensive, I just don't want to use it!)


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[rwidman]

Originally Posted by brownoarsman

................ (Yes I carry full load towing and collision/comprehensive, I just don't want to use it!)


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Why carry it if you don't want to use it?

[brownoarsman]

The scuttlebutt was that if you used it, they might elect to drop you from coverage (progressive). That may only be rumor.


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[rwidman]

Originally Posted by brownoarsman

The scuttlebutt was that if you used it, they might elect to drop you from coverage (progressive). That may only be rumor.


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Well, TowBoatUS and SeaTow won't do that. You might want to switch.

[brownoarsman]

Definitely worth considering, as it's clear I'm not going to be able to fix this engine. I'm really stumped now. Went back and repeated everything. Checked racor fittings, filled with clean diesel till it overflowed, bled whole system, even cracked the injector nuts and bled those with the fuel pump to make sure they were both working. Took off the air filter to see if it was obstructing. Nada.
New symptom, burnt oil coming from air intake. Pretty sure I'm going to stop playing backyard mechanic now!


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[brownoarsman]

With all that other stuff ruled out, I guess hydrolocking really did some damage, and I'm not able to get adequate compression anymore. Major bummer.


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[a64pilot]

Before you condemn the engine pull the injectors and put an ounce or so of Marvel Mystery oil in each cylinder overnight, it might be rusted rings, and the MMO might free them up. If you can't get MMO, then any oil is better than nothing.
Then the next day be sure you spin the motor several times with the injectors out to get the oil out so you don't hydro lock with oil.
It can't hurt, and may work.


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[brownoarsman]

The weird thing is it ran great for a few minutes after the hydrolock (before the overheating caught up with me), so I thought no big deal. I should have manually cooled the engine and kept running it, I now realise.
I will try oiling the cylinders. Bit far from things here, so will have to use sae30 engine oil.
Calder's advice on pulling the injectors was "don't do it" but with the streak I'm on, what could go wrong?



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[brownoarsman]

So a sailor with more diesel experience just took a look at it with me. On the first go, she started right up and then died a few seconds later (which raised my hopes only to dash them). It seems like we might be back to a fuel issue?


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[SkiprJohn]

Somewhere you are getting air into your fuel system. It could be around a fuel filter gasket or one of the copper washers around your bleed bolts has compressed too much or is not tight enough. All it takes is a little air to not let your fuel system work properly.

If you're sure you've lost compression then its rings or valves.

When my friend pumped water into his engine because he cranked it to start more times than he should have without closing the seawater intake he pulled the injectors and began spinning the engine until he knew it was clean. You can do the same thing if you aren't certain you've gotten all the water out. Make certain there is no water in the cylinders or block anywhere.

[brownoarsman]

Well, end of that story. Well and truly buggered now. Figured I'd try all the filters again, and when bleeding the secondary I snapped the bolt off. Left over bit is just floating in the cartridge housing. Time for the pros.


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[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by brownoarsman

Time for the pros.


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I think so, but it may not be all that bad, I don't believe you have a loss of compression or it wouldn't have started. Here's hoping for an inexpensive fix