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BMC 1800 Diesel in sump + electric pump retrofit


TheSaintlyOne

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So after trying to fix the poor starting problem that has been persistent for some time. We used a few squirts of easy start and the engine chugged to life. But we then noticed that Diesel was dribbling out the bottom of the Oil breather housing. 

All was drained out of the sump about two Gallons in total  Diesel. 

 

Over the past 6 moths we have not run the engine alot and on the few occasions that my bother a mechanic has been available we have tried bleeding the engine through. 

 

 

Anyway as said we have now drained all from the sump and plan to put fresh oil and filters back.

 

I am reading from other similar threads that the likely cause is either a Faulty Lift Pump (Diaphragm) or Faulty Injector.

 

In terms of the Lift Pump I have heard that others have Retro fitted an electric pump in place of the lift pump. 

 

What is the details on this please and of course any other support help you can offer would be much appreciated 

 

Regards 

 

Duncan 

 

 

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8 hours ago, TheSaintlyOne said:

In terms of the Lift Pump I have heard that others have Retro fitted an electric pump in place of the lift pump. 

 

Buy Facit electric pump from a motor factors. Disconnect both pipes from lift pump and modify to fit onto the Facit pump which you mount close by but not on the engine. Connect pump negative wire to any close by negative. Connect pump positive to the ignition switch wiring that feeds the instruments and warning lamps.

 

You could cut into the fuel pipe anywhere after the first water trap/filter but the if the lift pump is leaking it would still leak.

 

Testing the existing lift pump. Disconnect pipes. Thumb over outlet and pump primer/spin the engine. Pause, hold thumb in place for 30 seconds. When thumb removed there should still be pressure. Ditto the inlet but this time it should hold vacuum.

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A new mechanical lift pump is cheaper than an electric pump and less trouble to fit.

 

The other place that can leak fuel into the sump is the injection pump, that is a specialist repair though there has been a post on here where a handy guy fitted new seals himself.

 

Lift pump is favourite especially if you have so much fuel in the sump.

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2 minutes ago, Tracy D'arth said:

A new mechanical lift pump is cheaper than an electric pump and less trouble to fit.

 

The other place that can leak fuel into the sump is the injection pump, that is a specialist repair though there has been a post on here where a handy guy fitted new seals himself.

 

Lift pump is favourite especially if you have so much fuel in the sump.

 

Not so sure about that. The post read as if the oil had not been checked for some time so t might have been a slow build up. If it built up with the engine stationary then I agree. However, the test I outlined should show a split diaphragm and it only takes minutes as part of the removal process.

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The story is that we had the refurbed BMC 1800 craned in last year. We has starting problems by which I mean it would not start on the control button and seem to require bleeding and lifting of engine boards not something you want to do regularly on the canal.  My brother came along and got it started bled through & few squirts of easy start and it ran okay. We shifted it up the canal (it did cut out when the throttle was pushed hardish) but restarted and covered a few miles. But when it came to moving again a week later no luck. Myself not being a mechanic of any kind could do nothing. Bro came along again just before Christmas  and got it running again We moved it again but winter kicked in and this past weekend Bro was able to come to the boat. Got it started after checking it through fuel coming out at all points. But would not crank. Few squirts of easy start and if fired into life and ran okay for a few minutes before we noticed that fuel was dribbling out of the bottom of the oil breather  where it connects to the engine. 

Bro drained the sump (about two Gallons all told Oil and diesel mixture but more fuel density than oil. 

 

When it starts it runs fine but requires the easy start squirts and obviously we have the fuel in sump problem 

 

Hope that clarifies

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Thanks but not much more help. Unless you turned the fuel tap off on leaving the boat (most don't) a leak from the pump diaphragm would probably slowly fill the sump with the engine off by gravity. It would probably take longer to do the same via the injector pump seal, but it was left for months so lots of time.

 

I suspect two problems. The fuel leak into the engine and they what prevents it starting. It sounds like low compression or glow plugs not working so have the glow plugs out and test them on the end of the normal supply cable. That will show if it is a plug or supply issue. It might be really bad injectors but if so it should be producing clouds of white smoke when cranking. If it is then get  the injectors overhauled. The BMC ones have a tiny hole to aid cold starting and they do block in time.

 

Unless you know what it feels like to turn a good 1.8 over by hand the best way of checking compression is with a test gauge. Your brother should have access to a diesel compression tester that fits the glow plug holes. Expect 400psi plus per cylinder.

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Tell me where the "refurbished" engine came from please.

 

If a diesel engine will not start with fuel at the injectors and a decent battery, it has low compression.

1 minute ago, TheSaintlyOne said:

Will the engine run okay once started with Easy start regardless if there is a problem with the lift pump ????

Probably yes, the diaphragm only needs a tiny hole or split to pour fuel into the sump, it will still supply fuel to the injection pump but poorly.

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1 minute ago, Tracy D'arth said:

Tell me where the "refurbished" engine came from please.

 

If a diesel engine will not start with fuel at the injectors and a decent battery, it has low compression.

 

Ah, skipped over the refurbished bit. Sounds like it has an unworked on lift and injector pump so may well be a spray gun refurbishment.

 

To the OP, have you checked the valve clearances?

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4 minutes ago, Tracy D'arth said:

Tell me where the "refurbished" engine came from please.

 

If a diesel engine will not start with fuel at the injectors and a decent battery, it has low compression.

Was purchased privately from a guy from a military barracks in Dorset. It was going to go into another boat but that has some serious delamination to its shell and they sold off the engine. 

Edited by TheSaintlyOne
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Just now, TheSaintlyOne said:

Was purchased privately fro. a guy from a military barracks in Dorset. It was going to go into another boat but that has some serious delamination to its shell and they sold off the engine. 

I am relieved, I was thinking of another source of spray paint recon engines. I hope it is not a dog for you.

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4 minutes ago, Tracy D'arth said:

I am relieved, I was thinking of another source of spray paint recon engines. I hope it is not a dog for you.

 

I do believe the guy had some BMC experience and a military workshop. 

 

"To the OP, have you checked the valve clearances?"

 

 

I haven't checked and tbh when my Bro is about to help he is often on limited time so not sure 

Edited by TheSaintlyOne
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Oki so the plan is. Purchase a new Lift Pump £28 from calcut (provably other suppliers but happy after seeing the calcut one on a YouTube vid) get a new oil filter and new oil (still to decide which one) and try it. At least then we know that the lift pump will be good!!! If the problem still persists then we will look at getting the injector unit refurbed. 

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