(Diesel) Engine Mechanics

[FORTUNATA]

Hmmm, I'm a bit confused over the workings of the distributor-type injection pump as opposed to the inline-type.

It would seem the distributor-type injector pump has only one plunger to supply the cylinders in turn while the inline type has a plunger for each cylinder?

I often marvel, though, how badly all of this is explained in books such as Haynes. Are we talking about a rotating cam-wheel?

Maybe this is too technical a question but I figure I'd like to understand a bit more. Maybe I can find some website with more graphic illustrations of the injection pump in action.

[John Orentas]

Fortuna.

 

There are many types and manufacturers of injector pumps though invariably they are of a piston type, as you say some are a complete assembly and have one piston per cylinder others have one piston only with a distributer system to send the fuel to the appropriate cylinder. Another type as my own (Bosch) has a completely independent pump for each cylinder each driven by a camshaft.

 

What they all have in common is that they deliver an exact quantity of fuel at very high pressure to the injectors and of course at precisely the right time.

 

Though you may have an academic interest in injector pumps, in practise they must be seen as non serviceable items, repair and calibration require specialist knowledge and equipment.

 

The injectors must be seen in a similar way. The good news is that the items are very reliable and can normally be expected to last the life of an engine.

[Sir Nibble]

The good news is that the items are very reliable and can normally be expected to last the life of an engine.

Enter the new generation of electronically controlled common rail deisels, "Soon fix that then".

[John Orentas]

Enter the new generation of electronically controlled common rail deisels, "Soon fix that then".

 

 

"Piece of cake" a couple of screwdrivers, a battery and bulb, soon have it sorted.

[AlanWT]

There is quite a bit of information here http://www.tb-training.co.uk/ about diesel engines, boat electrics and general maintenance. No connection, just found this to be a very useful site.

 

Alan

[Rob Dean]

I've done both the diesel course and the electrics course at Reading (now Thames Valley University). See http://www.tb-training.co.uk/ for details.

 

I can't recommend both courses highly enough. It's a great use of a weekend and will give anyone the confidence to do basic maintenance and trouble shooting on their boat. The facilities are great with engines mounted on trolleys to play with. Tony Brooks who runs the courses is a delight. Down to earth and practical with plenty of tips for smart ways of achieving things. No question is ever too daft or answer to complicated.

 

I spent last weekend servicing my engine. I'm confident I've done it properly. I understood what I was doing and I've saved myself at least a £100.

 

No connection - other than as a highly satisfied customer.

 

Go for it.

 

Rob

[FORTUNATA]

Sounds to me like the inline injector pump you have on your boat is maybe the best option. I believe it's easier and cheaper to set the timing on an inline injector pump.

To be honest, I have never had an engine before and my mechanical knowledge so far only extends to roadbikes, being a keen cyclist. My experiences as a cyclist, however, have convinced me that it's better for the boat owner (or vehicle owner) to get to grips with mechanics and get some sort of understanding of the workings of an engine or the onboard electrics. I realise that this is a big step up from bike mechanics and will take me into the basic fields of electrics and engineering.

However, don't get me wrong. At this stage the knowledge I hope to obtain will be mostly theoretical and won't enable me to risk any major mechanic interventions on the boat so, when necessary, I will hire a mechanic or electrician to make life easier. I can't realistically expect to wire the whole boat and service the engine (if necessary) just by reading a few books.

John, I understand your own boat is moored not far from me and, yes, I would appreciate your help and advice if you have time. So far I haven't bought the new battery or started any major wiring work due to the cold and damp we're having over here. However, I plan to get cracking immediately after the cold snap is over and even plan to have the rubbing boards changed and checks done for osmosis. What I really want, though, is to see the engine running and the boat actually moving.

 

Fortuna.

 

There are many types and manufacturers of injector pumps though invariably they are of a piston type, as you say some are a complete assembly and have one piston per cylinder others have one piston only with a distributer system to send the fuel to the appropriate cylinder. Another type as my own (Bosch) has a completely independent pump for each cylinder each driven by a camshaft.

 

What they all have in common is that they deliver an exact quantity of fuel at very high pressure to the injectors and of course at precisely the right time.

 

Though you may have an academic interest in injector pumps, in practise they must be seen as non serviceable items, repair and calibration require specialist knowledge and equipment.

 

The injectors must be seen in a similar way. The good news is that the items are very reliable and can normally be expected to last the life of an engine.

[FORTUNATA]

Seems like a great idea to me. Really, I think all the boat owner really requires is the knowledge to be able to do some DIY on his own boat (even if other boat engines remain more of a mystery).

My own engine is an old Golf that's been converted for marine purposes. Over here, many boat mechanics won't touch this engine as they're used to dealing with the usual engines you find on the traditional long boats or maybe the outboard engines.

As I said, I couldn't find anyone over here that would go anywhere near my timer belt so my cousin was the last resort.

At any rate, I believe that once I eliminate condensation from the diesel fuel, drain the oil and change the filter as well as obtain a powerful starter battery, my engine will run. Heaven knows the last time my boat did actually chug along the canals but I'll bet it would have looked terrific back in the eighties before it fell into total neglect.

 

I've done both the diesel course and the electrics course at Reading (now Thames Valley University). See http://www.tb-training.co.uk/ for details.

 

I can't recommend both courses highly enough. It's a great use of a weekend and will give anyone the confidence to do basic maintenance and trouble shooting on their boat. The facilities are great with engines mounted on trolleys to play with. Tony Brooks who runs the courses is a delight. Down to earth and practical with plenty of tips for smart ways of achieving things. No question is ever too daft or answer to complicated.

 

I spent last weekend servicing my engine. I'm confident I've done it properly. I understood what I was doing and I've saved myself at least a £100.

 

No connection - other than as a highly satisfied customer.

 

Go for it.

 

Rob

[Nige]

Seems like a great idea to me. Really, I think all the boat owner really requires is the knowledge to be able to do some DIY on his own boat (even if other boat engines remain more of a mystery).

My own engine is an old Golf that's been converted for marine purposes. Over here, many boat mechanics won't touch this engine as they're used to dealing with the usual engines you find on the traditional long boats or maybe the outboard engines.

As I said, I couldn't find anyone over here that would go anywhere near my timer belt so my cousin was the last resort.

At any rate, I believe that once I eliminate condensation from the diesel fuel, drain the oil and change the filter as well as obtain a powerful starter battery, my engine will run. Heaven knows the last time my boat did actually chug along the canals but I'll bet it would have looked terrific back in the eighties before it fell into total neglect.

 

 

Hi all,

On the subject of engines - has anyone had any experience of Mercedes engines ? I ask because the engine on my boat is a Mercedes 636 diesel of uncertain vintage (Although the manual dates from 1963 !!!).

 

nige

[FORTUNATA]

Are you having any technical problems with this engine and how old is your boat? Is it just a case of a modern boat being fitted with a vintage engine or is your boat also a sixties model?

 

Hi all,

On the subject of engines - has anyone had any experience of Mercedes engines ? I ask because the engine on my boat is a Mercedes 636 diesel of uncertain vintage (Although the manual dates from 1963 !!!).

 

nige

[Nige]

Are you having any technical problems with this engine and how old is your boat? Is it just a case of a modern boat being fitted with a vintage engine or is your boat also a sixties model?

 

Hi there,

No im not having problems, but I would like to get the engine a really good service by someone familiar with this or similar types.

My boat "Discovery" was built in 1971, and was not originally fitted with this engine. In 1989, according to an old survey report I have, she was fitted with a BMC 1.5!!! (For a 62 foot boat weighing 15 tons !!) But by the time another survey was carried out in 2003, she had been fitted with this Mercedes - I don't even know the HP or anything, the manual is all in German !!!

 

I want to upgrade the charging system and fit two alternators (For Leisure & Starter batteries)- at the moment the present alternator/generator is putting out 24 volts and I want to bring this down to 12.....but me and complicated electrics such as this simply don't mix... ...so im hunting for someone who can do a service and tackle the two alternators job.

 

Cheers,

Nige

[Nige]

Hi there,

No im not having problems, but I would like to get the engine a really good service by someone familiar with this or similar types.

My boat "Discovery" was built in 1971, and was not originally fitted with this engine. In 1989, according to an old survey report I have, she was fitted with a BMC 1.5!!! (For a 62 foot boat weighing 15 tons !!) But by the time another survey was carried out in 2003, she had been fitted with this Mercedes - I don't even know the HP or anything, the manual is all in German !!!

 

I want to upgrade the charging system and fit two alternators (For Leisure & Starter batteries)- at the moment the present alternator/generator is putting out 24 volts and I want to bring this down to 12.....but me and complicated electrics such as this simply don't mix... ...so im hunting for someone who can do a service and tackle the two alternators job.

 

Cheers,

Nige

 

Hi Fortunata,

 

While cleaning up the engine room this morning I noticed a builders plate on the engine that I have not noticed before. It says "Bowman Birmingham" and is date stamped "09 71".

 

Does anyone know anything of this company ? Anyone heard of them before ?

 

Nige

[Paul Evans]

I ran a Google search on Bowman+Birmingham but came up with nothing totally relevant. I found a firm making heat exchangers(Bowman), including marine heat exchangers. Could they have been involved with boat/engine building in the past? Where on the engine is the plate - could it be on the oil cooler?

[alan_fincher]

I ran a Google search on Bowman+Birmingham but came up with nothing totally relevant. I found a firm making heat exchangers(Bowman), including marine heat exchangers. Could they have been involved with boat/engine building in the past? Where on the engine is the plate - could it be on the oil cooler?

That would certainly be my guess Paul.

 

i.e. That it's on some heat-exchanger component made by Bowman, rather than the engine itself.

 

That Bowman is in Birmingham, as your link shows.

 

Alan

[Nige]

That would certainly be my guess Paul.

 

i.e. That it's on some heat-exchanger component made by Bowman, rather than the engine itself.

 

That Bowman is in Birmingham, as your link shows.

 

Alan

 

Hi Guys,

Thanks for that info - I think that's it - the postcode on the modern website - B6 4AP - is the same as what's on the engine plaque - it is on the top right hand side of the engine, as you look at it from the gearbox end.

Cheer's

Nige

[FORTUNATA]

I found a Haynes manual from the library that refers to a Gold Jetta diesel. The odd thing is it does give information related to cambelt changes but only within the context of total engine re-construction after stripping it down. That is, the manual explains the significance of the timing marks on the flywheel and explains how to move the alternator and slacken the tensioner.

What it doesn't give you is the more simple removal of the timing belt by marking the belt e.t.c. That's the way my cousin did it and it didn't take him much more than 15 minutes.

I suppose what I would like to find is detailed information on the simpler system of timing belt changes as I think the Haynes manual could get you into deeper waters - resetting the timing from zero.

 

For a Volkswagon engine, what about a Haynes manual? About a tenner from Halfords.