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02-25-2019, 12:37 PM
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#1
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Guru
City: St. Petersburg, Florida
Vessel Name: M/V Sherpa
Vessel Model: 24' Vashon Diesel Cruiser
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 598
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Injector service recommendations... white smoke
My Volvo MD2030 (601 hours) has been blowing out some white smoke, which is getting progressively worse. The amount of smoke produced increases with RPM. It is NOT coolant but definitely stinks like fuel. There are no issues with coolant level or consistency, so I am ruling out a head gasket issue.
Anyway, my research points to a dirty/clogged injector. I don't feel or hear any issues with the engine--just a cloud of white smoke that smells like fuel. I adjusted the valve clearance a year or so ago but have yet to service the injectors. The paint on the engine suggests they have never been removed (installed in 2007).
I plan to pull all three injectors rather than diagnose which one is misbehaving.
Can anyone recommend a diesel injector service that they have used? Replacing the injector nozzle doesn't look terribly difficult, but I have no means to test/confirm the spray pattern.
Thank you,
Chris
__________________
“Go small, go simple, go now”
― Larry Pardey, Cruising in Seraffyn
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02-25-2019, 01:23 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
City: Kiln,MS
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 457
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Call southeast Power systems and see if they can check them for you.
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02-25-2019, 02:12 PM
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#4
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Guru
City: Pender Harbour, BC
Vessel Name: Gwaii Haanas
Vessel Model: Custom Aluminum 52
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,791
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It’s winter. White “smoke,” are you sure? What does your Volvo do? Genset or propulsion?
Dollars to donuts there is nothing wrong.
__________________
Don't believe everything that you think.
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02-25-2019, 02:42 PM
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#5
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Guru
City: St. Petersburg, Florida
Vessel Name: M/V Sherpa
Vessel Model: 24' Vashon Diesel Cruiser
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 598
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Thank you for the responses. The MD2030 is propulsion... 12 years old with just 600 hours. She did a lot sitting around with the previous owner. I have owned the boat for about four or five years now and she has never emitted white smoke (maybe a little when cold and at start-up). It first started with a little white smoke at start-up, which is normal. The smoke at start-up increased gradually and now I am seeing a pronounced fuel smelling white cloud when underway (more RPM equates to more white smoke). The Volvo manual recommends pulling and testing the injectors every 500 hours--this seems excessive.
She road well yesterday--no issues that I could detect. Coolant checks out fine with no changes in level. There were no hesitations or RPM fluctuations. The white smoke, however, made the trip a stinky one depending on the wind direction!
__________________
“Go small, go simple, go now”
― Larry Pardey, Cruising in Seraffyn
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02-25-2019, 03:11 PM
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#6
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Newbie
City: Cape Coral, FL
Vessel Name: Glory Be
Vessel Model: Mainship 400 Trawler
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 4
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injectors
I took 8 injectors to Everglades Diesel Injection Service in Ft. Lauderdale. They came back like new and the service was 5 star. Their phone number is 800-843-3931. Ask for Bill.
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02-25-2019, 04:21 PM
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#7
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Technical Guru
City: Wilmington, NC
Vessel Name: Louisa
Vessel Model: Custom Built 38
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 6,194
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Check around the St. Pete and Tampa area, there are probably a handful of diesel injection shops. Any should be able to pop test them while you wait. This includes doing a visual on the spray pattern. If new tips are needed, they should be able to get them and fit them for not too much coin.
How does it start and idle cold? Any miss or smoke there?
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02-25-2019, 05:25 PM
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#8
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Guru
City: gulf coast
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,440
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02-26-2019, 06:09 AM
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#9
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Guru
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
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White smoke underway , with warm engine is usually bad compression .
Send out the injectors IF the compression is normal.
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02-26-2019, 06:45 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
City: Baltimore, Maryland
Vessel Name: HAVEN
Vessel Model: Golden Star 35
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 109
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Agree that it sounds like a compression issue. Do a compression check whilst the injectors are out. Your diesel is a virtual "infant" with just 600 hours, is barely broken in. Bad injector nozzle pressures (higher than specs) will cause a sheen on the water at exhaust. Lower nozzle pressure will usually cause hard starting. I'm having mine done at present (Perkins naturals 354's). My nozzles, 1/3rd were bad on each side and am replacing all of them. Nozzle pressure spec is 175 psi on these Range 4's. 4 were 200+ and caused the "stink" and "sheen". Do a compression check as well.
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02-26-2019, 09:55 AM
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#11
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Guru
City: St. Petersburg, Florida
Vessel Name: M/V Sherpa
Vessel Model: 24' Vashon Diesel Cruiser
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 598
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I appreciate the suggestions! Bad compression... wow... at 600 hours? Air filter is new, no issues starting, no black smoke, no rough idling, RPM is steady, oil is changed religiously. Wouldn't the engine be hard to start if compression was low?
So I may be looking at valve damage and the engine may need tearing apart?
I do notice an sheen on the water at the exhaust (at start up). I will definitely check the compression!
Any other catastrophic problems I may have to consider?
__________________
“Go small, go simple, go now”
― Larry Pardey, Cruising in Seraffyn
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02-26-2019, 10:06 AM
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#12
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Technical Guru
City: Wilmington, NC
Vessel Name: Louisa
Vessel Model: Custom Built 38
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 6,194
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If it starts well cold and does not miss and smoke then, compression is probably ok. Weak compression shows up most on a cold start.
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02-26-2019, 11:41 AM
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#13
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Guru
City: Pahrump, NV
Vessel Name: Pairadice
Vessel Model: Sold Selene 47
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,967
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Sounds more like a turbo issue, that would be my first thought.
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02-26-2019, 11:43 AM
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#14
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Guru
City: Guelph
Vessel Name: Escapade
Vessel Model: 50` US Navy Utility trawler conversion
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,432
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Are you sure it's not steam? I had similar symptoms when my raw water strainer was partially clogged. Engine coolant temps were OK but there wasn't enough flow into the exhaust mixer.
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02-26-2019, 02:42 PM
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#16
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Guru
City: St. Petersburg, Florida
Vessel Name: M/V Sherpa
Vessel Model: 24' Vashon Diesel Cruiser
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 598
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff F
Are you sure it's not steam? I had similar symptoms when my raw water strainer was partially clogged. Engine coolant temps were OK but there wasn't enough flow into the exhaust mixer.
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Good question. It is definitely smells strong of diesel. I originally thought it was steam and opened the inspection ports of the elbow and also checked the strainer to includes inlets for a possible block--all clear. It wasn't until the smoke became progressively worse underway that I could smell the distinct smell of diesel. I do see a sheen when starting the engine and a plume this has become more pronounced over the past year. The smoke mostly disappears under idle and gets worse at RPM increases.
__________________
“Go small, go simple, go now”
― Larry Pardey, Cruising in Seraffyn
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02-26-2019, 02:53 PM
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#17
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Guru
City: St. Petersburg, Florida
Vessel Name: M/V Sherpa
Vessel Model: 24' Vashon Diesel Cruiser
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 598
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Quote:
Originally Posted by artfulltune
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Thanks! I just looked it over and it gave me some additional thoughts. Last week, I added a diesel injector cleaner hoping that this would clear up the issue.
Despite having 601 hours, the engine is 11 years old so I am thinking it would be wise to at least have the injectors inspected.
Again, coolant looks good (no drop in level) or signs of contaminants, she starts easily, no burning of oil or black smoke, exhaust elbow is fairly new and clear, she doesn't run rough and easily reaches WOT, RPM is steady, and I don't hear knocking. All I am seeing is a stinky plume of white smoke that is quite visible when I get up in RPMs.
My plan for now is to check compression and service the injectors. I am hoping it is not a pump or valve issue. I will report back with an update! I appreciate all the help!
__________________
“Go small, go simple, go now”
― Larry Pardey, Cruising in Seraffyn
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02-26-2019, 07:02 PM
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#18
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,119
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A tip from a master who passed it to me....
"Quick and easy check, bar the engine over while listening to crankcase breather, intake filter (remove for better listening) and exhaust just below elbow or spray ring where soft hose begins. If a bad valve or rings you will hear it hissing.
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02-26-2019, 09:07 PM
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#19
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Guru
City: Sydney
Vessel Name: Sojourn
Vessel Model: Integrity 386
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 13,293
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Quote:
Originally Posted by artfulltune
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An amazingly helpful thread. No snarking, just members doing their utmost to help. Very impressive, whether applicable or not. Much like this one.
__________________
BruceK
2005 Integrity 386 "Sojourn"
Sydney Australia
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02-27-2019, 07:15 AM
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#20
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Guru
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
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All good info on that forum, but never resolved.
Most small boat engines seem to be killed , rather than being worn out.
This is frequently because the PO did not follow Da Book, (engine service manual, not the tiny "owners manual")and service the engine before extended periods of non use.
My guess would be stuck oil ring or rust pits in the cylinder walls from non use.
Either would not show much on a compression test.
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