Black smoke and ticking noise

[Horsehorn]

Hi,

 

We've had a ticking noise in the engine when it's moving for a couple of weeks (ou moved very short distances) and today when in full throttle to turn around the engine puffed out loads of black smoke and then stopped entirely. It's a BMC 1.5 with a bit of wear and tear.

 

I understand that black smoke is often the consequence of too much fuel or too little air, but any suggestions on how this may be related to a ticking noise and how to rectify?

 

Thanks all

[Black Country Lee]

As a mainly car mechanic my opinion, as is yours, that the black smoke is either over-fueling or under-fueling (weaker mixture). The ticking is often the sign of a sticking injector which, if stuck or sticking open, can cause the over fueling issue.

 

Lee.

[MtB]

As a mainly car mechanic my opinion, as is yours, that the black smoke is either over-fueling or under-fueling (weaker mixture). The ticking is often the sign of a sticking injector which, if stuck or sticking open, can cause the over fueling issue.

 

Lee.

 

I'd have thought one sticking injector on a four cylinder BMC wouldn't cause the engine to stop running when at full throttle.

 

Sounds to me like something more structural has failed.

 

 

MtB

[Black Country Lee]

I was merely offering a suggestion on the over-fueling, the stalling could be a myriad of causes. Most likely a diaphragm or actuator in the injector pump although diaphragms don't tend to tick lol

 

Lee.

[Tony Dunkley]

Hi,

 

We've had a ticking noise in the engine when it's moving for a couple of weeks (ou moved very short distances) and today when in full throttle to turn around the engine puffed out loads of black smoke and then stopped entirely. It's a BMC 1.5 with a bit of wear and tear.

 

I understand that black smoke is often the consequence of too much fuel or too little air, but any suggestions on how this may be related to a ticking noise and how to rectify?

 

Thanks all

 

Take the oil filler cap off and turn the engine over on the starter while looking at the valve rockers you can see through the filler to see if they're moving. If they are not, then the timing chain has broken. If they are moving the chain may have jumped one or two teeth on the timing wheels, and you can check whether this has happened by checking if the valve timing is still correct or not.

Edited October 11, 2014 by tony dunkley

[Horsehorn]

Thanks. I thought it might be the injectors but will follow your suggestion Tony.

[Chalky]

As said above a ticking could be from an injector, timing gear (which needs adjusting on these engines), or something like a piston ring failing. Does the engine still turn over? Was it a ticking or a knocking? Was there any signs of vapour coming out of the filler cap under pressure? When were the valve clearances checked? Has the timing chain ever been changed - they stretch and rattle significantly for ages before any significant problems.

 

Check the oil level. It could be that its been drinking the lubricating oil and this is the black smoke. On an old engine you can get something called pull over where the piston rings are so worn that engine oil gets into the cylinders and is burned as fuel. Usually the engine runs at full speed until it eventually ceases.

 

As Tony says check the valves are opening and closing. A broken timing chain would kill the engine, other faults make them very sick. On a petrol B series (diesel should be similar) they are a DIY job - if you've got access and the right tools. They;re on the front of the engine underneath the thermostat. You need to remove the pulley off the engine then you can undo the bolts that hold the cover on - the chain is under there.

 

I've had petrol B series engines run (badly but enough to get me home ) when I've burned out valves (sainsburys 4 *), blown head gaskets and had a piston ring fail. Its a tough engine.

Edited October 11, 2014 by Chalky

[Tony Dunkley]

Thanks. I thought it might be the injectors but will follow your suggestion Tony.

When you've done that, tell us what you've found and then we can think about the next thing to do or check.

Edited October 11, 2014 by tony dunkley

[craftycarper]

If the timing. Chain had snapped the boat would just stop everything described would tell me to whip out the injectors and have them checked first off as it sounds like a fuel issue I just paid 24 quid to have a set of 4 checked at a local engine specialist all 4 were knackered even though the engine was still running, just low on power and black smoke at full revs

[Chalky]

It's the stopping entirely that may be the clue. They never said if it would re-start again or if it wouldn't turn over again.

[craftycarper]

It's the stopping entirely that may be the clue. They never said if it would re-start again or if it wouldn't turn over again.

 

. My bad should of read the op more carefully

[RLWP]

Hi,

 

We've had a ticking noise in the engine when it's moving for a couple of weeks (ou moved very short distances) and today when in full throttle to turn around the engine puffed out loads of black smoke and then stopped entirely. It's a BMC 1.5 with a bit of wear and tear.

 

I understand that black smoke is often the consequence of too much fuel or too little air, but any suggestions on how this may be related to a ticking noise and how to rectify?

 

Thanks all

 

Someone has to ask the bleedin' obvious...

 

Your prop is clear?

 

Richard

[Dinz]

Totally different suggestion.

If boat turns over , starts etc..

Do you do a lot of off load running? [not in gear]

If so the exhaust could be blocking up.

The back pressure can cause a leak that can sound like a mechanical tick.

Once revved up on load the engine just gags and stalls.

Know of a boat that had engine out and overhauled just because of a blocked silencer.

Maybe less serious than first feared.

If the other checks all look good unbolt manifold and see if it runs.

[Thewatchmaker]

I've had a cam chain tensioner fail on a 1.8 giving the symptoms described.

The chain jumped a few teeth sending timing haywire (smoke) before jumping again and stopping.

If chain is broken then the engine would probably stop quickly due to the meeting of valves with pistons !