Westerbeke 4.5 bcd parts

[wild thing]

I have the above mentioned genset and it will not start. Compression is low (125psi) on one of the two cylinders. I would like to pull the head to see if there is anything going on with the valves but I can not find anyone selling a head gasket for this old machine. Any Ideas? Thanks, Rich

 

[Barking Sands]

You can do a leak down test where you plumb in shop air. With a positve flow of air into the cylinder you can tell where the air is escaping to. Intake port by the intake valve, exhaust port by the exhast valve, cooling jackets via head gasket or crankcase via headgasket. And of course crankcase via rings. In addition the leak down tester will also show pressure losses.

 

[wild thing]

I took out the glow plugs and added a small amount of oil to each cylinder, then repeated the compression test. Both cylinders showed above 450psi.

 

[Bmarler]

Wet vs dry with compression boost on wet indicates rings. Wait 24 hrs and do dry again. See if it drops back down.
What’s the history of the engine? Has it been sitting for a long time? Maybe rings are just stuck and heat cycling may loosen it up? (If you can get it started)

 

[wild thing]

The previous owner (hi Ben) took excellent care of everything on the boat. The real problem is can I find the parts needed to bring the engine back to running condition. So far all I see is "No longer available".

 

[Bmarler]

Are you sure of what you have? The 4.5 bcd is listed as a 50 hz three cylinder. A 4.4 bcd is a 60 hz two cylinder.

 

[Barking Sands]

Post a picture if you can. I have a 4.4 kw

 

[Bmarler]

Westerbeke lists a kit for the two cylinder 4.4 bcd here: SPARE PARTS KIT B 4.4 BCD - Westerbeke
Shows a gasket set for a w13. That number is easy to find in many places, full set, or top end set.
If this is what you have there are indeed parts available.
If not, and it really is unobtainable, you have a decision to make. Repair with custom made parts or replace with modern.

 

[PeterMcK]

I have the above mentioned genset and it will not start. Compression is low (125psi) on one of the two cylinders. I would like to pull the head to see if there is anything going on with the valves but I can not find anyone selling a head gasket for this old machine. Any Ideas? Thanks, Rich

Check the engine, from memory it is a 3 cyl Mitsubishi, 1/3 price of getting OEM from Westerbeke

 

[jleonard]

When I needed parts for my Westerbeke 4.4 I used Hansen marine out of Mass. They are Westerbeke distributors. They were not cheap, but I could get anything in a day or 2.