Need help with diagnostics please . . .

Discussion in 'Diesel Engines' started by L'eau.Life, Feb 14, 2014.

  1. L'eau.Life
    Joined: Jan 2008
    Posts: 71
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Bay of Islands, New Zealand

    L'eau.Life Junior Member

    Hi guys,
    I have twin marinised Nissan QD32 normally aspirated 4 cyl motors.
    Stbd motor pulls 3600+ but port has deteriorated down to 3000 max RPM @ WOT. Engine starts and runs sweet but uses twice the fuel as the Stbd. Evidence of white smoke underway.
    Have so far chem-cleaned pod air filter, changed all fuel filters and cleaned non-return valves at the filter priming pump. Removed injectors and pump and had these overhauled by Garrett who also set the engine timing and adjusted valves etc.
    High fuel use vs white smoke seems to be contradictory but I am no diesel mechanic so looking for ideas please.
    Thanks in advance, Alan
     
  2. NavalSArtichoke
    Joined: Oct 2013
    Posts: 431
    Likes: 9, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 83
    Location: GulfCoast

    NavalSArtichoke Senior Member

    White smoke in the exhaust is a potentially bad sign. I would check the compression on this motor, because white smoke is one indication of a blown head gasket. Also check the lube oil to see if there is any water contamination. With a blown gasket, that would also explain why it doesn't rev and the fuel consumption is up.
     
  3. L'eau.Life
    Joined: Jan 2008
    Posts: 71
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Bay of Islands, New Zealand

    L'eau.Life Junior Member

    Thanks NavalSArtichoke - plan to run a compression test Tuesday and will report back but no evidence of oil in coolant.
     
  4. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
    Posts: 19,126
    Likes: 498, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 3967
    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    White smoke is evidence of water vaporizing in the exhaust stream. Blue smoke is oil burning, so be clear about the color - is it white or light blue? It's possible to have a cracked head, manifold or even a burned head gasket, without water getting into the oil or oil getting into coolant passages.
     
  5. CDK
    Joined: Aug 2007
    Posts: 3,324
    Likes: 148, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 1819
    Location: Adriatic sea

    CDK retired engineer

    This is contradictory information.
    With less rpm and twice the fuel consumption the engine must be bellowing black smoke due to incomplete combustion.

    Long distance diagnosis is often wrong; I'd put my money on a fouled stbd prop, possibly damaged or with something wrapped around it. The engine spins to 3600+ but leaves the hard work to its companion;).
     
  6. L'eau.Life
    Joined: Jan 2008
    Posts: 71
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Bay of Islands, New Zealand

    L'eau.Life Junior Member

    @CDK
    Interesting approach but changing Stbd power setting has marked impact on performance - run both at 3000 pulls about 12kt, open Stbd to 3600 and speed increases to around 15kt. Will try to dive and check both props again in the morning but pretty sure this is a problem with the port motor.
    Thanks! Alan

    @PAR
    Hopefully compression test on Tuesday will give me some more clarity. Smoke is definitely white and looks more like steam than actual smoke.
    No water in oil or v/v and no residue in sea where exhaust discharges.
    Thanks! Alan
     
  7. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
    Posts: 16,790
    Likes: 1,714, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 2031
    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    Also, light grey smoke is from oil burning. If it has a wet exhaust, it is often very hard to tell.
     
  8. WestVanHan
    Joined: Aug 2009
    Posts: 1,373
    Likes: 56, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 746
    Location: Vancouver

    WestVanHan Not a Senior Member

    As with CDK, my first thought was to check the props.
    And then the items you have done. Other than that it could be low compression from a stuck ring,or any of the ideas as above.
    let us know...
     
  9. L'eau.Life
    Joined: Jan 2008
    Posts: 71
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Bay of Islands, New Zealand

    L'eau.Life Junior Member

    Dived to check both props today and no fouling so further engine investigation to happen during the upcoming week. Will definitely report back with findings but meanwhile; thanks to all for the advice to date.
    Cheers, Alan
     
  10. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
    Posts: 19,126
    Likes: 498, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 3967
    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    A bad prop isn't likely going to produce white smoke. Water is getting vaporized somewhere.
     
  11. WestVanHan
    Joined: Aug 2009
    Posts: 1,373
    Likes: 56, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 746
    Location: Vancouver

    WestVanHan Not a Senior Member

    White smoke is caused by raw unburnt fuel,from low compression (rings.valves,bad timing) and in the case of a fouled prop overloading the one engine-I know this from personal experience.

    As well as water of course,but it's easier and costs nothing to check the props first...
     
  12. french44
    Joined: Mar 2006
    Posts: 37
    Likes: 2, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 63
    Location: kinshasa mwanza brazza

    french44 Junior Member

    Hi , do you have any indication of the temp (water /oil) and pressure (oil). What is the RPM without load of the both engines (void test) ? do you change the config of air inlet circuit for this engine (position of inlet, pipe etc....) ?
     
  13. powerabout
    Joined: Nov 2007
    Posts: 2,944
    Likes: 67, Points: 48, Legacy Rep: 719
    Location: Melbourne/Singapore/Italy

    powerabout Senior Member

    white smoke can also be no combustion, like the nozzle has fallen off an injector?
     
  14. L'eau.Life
    Joined: Jan 2008
    Posts: 71
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Bay of Islands, New Zealand

    L'eau.Life Junior Member

    @french44
    Water/oil gauges show the same for both engines. Have not checked RPM without load - not sure about running them like that . . . No change to air inlet

    @powerabout
    Injectors and pump overhauled by Garrett thanks

    Compression test scheduled this morning :)
     

  15. mike Banks
    Joined: Oct 2013
    Posts: 11
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Australia

    mike Banks Junior Member

    White smoke

    I have had a similar thing happen to a tractor. Check the exhaust for blockage. Excess back pressure means insufficient air getting into the cylinders--and excess fuel usage.
     
Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.