2007 D9 500 Piston Failure: engine fitted to Fairline Targa 47 GT

  • Thread starter Thread starter woodie1000
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woodie1000 said:
The engine has done only 400 hours and has full service history, we bought the boat new in 2007. I've attached a photo fo the faulty piston which appears to have melted. Volvo say the only engine fault found was 'low fuel delivery' after an injector test, they had expected over delivery so they want us to pay to test the fuel. I'm no expert, but if the fuel was at fault why would only 1 of the 6 pistons on that engine have any heat damage? The other engine seems fine as does the generator. Does anyone have any experience or views on what could have caused this? The engine is basically a write off because some of the piston rings from number one have ended up in the other cylinders and apparently damaged the Turbo along with everything else.

Thanks very much and any help appreciated!
Click to expand...
FWIW - several years ago now I had a white smoke moment after a shortish 30/40 min run and last mile at WOT then puff white smoke aka Red Arrows.

Shut down engine but no mech. noise just smoke and no power. Engine would not restart but heaps of smoke when I attempted to do so.


Long story short = Cause was a bolt that was hollowed in manufacture that had allowed the injector pump to turn a little and thus put out the timing. It was only discovered as this bolt (final bolt to be tighted) was turned up on re-assembly.

I always wondered what would have happened if I had kept running that engine???

Maybe way off the point but worth checking that side of the house.


I still have the bolt :-)


Extremely sorry to hear of the failure / inconvenience and hassle you must be going through.
 
I would go back to Volvo and suggest a latent defect

The legal definition of latent defect is:

"A hidden flaw that cannot be readily ascertained from mere observation."

There are some legal eagles on here that may guide you down the legal route whether it's worth considering?

Hope it turns out OK


Ian
 
I have a friend (only one though) who is an expert mechanic, witness etc etc. He is actually one of the experts used on rouge trader/ watchdog type programs, I can vouch for the fact that when he gets involved things get done!
P.m. me if you would like his details.

Peter
 
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I don't think it's washed the bore with too much fuel. I would say too little fuel but what if the solonoid valve in the unit injector was sticking? If the solonoid had stuck slightly open from last rotation then that cylinder would fire as soon as the cam pushes on top of that injector. That would cause that cylinder to be firing well in advance of the others. It would also not show any fault code as the electrical circuit would be in tact and cylinder balancing only works at idle.

It's just a theory!
 
Slightly hesitant to offer comments as these are strictly non-expert so please don't beat me (too hard) for them.

First up, I am appalled that a regularly maintained big block engine would have a terminal failure at 400 hours. If I were the manufacturer, I'd be wanting to whisk the thing away, analyse it and replace it on very favourable terms.

Second, I've had injectors fail on 6 cyl diesel units and the only consequence has been that they are difficult to start when hot (not when cold) and there's been no damage other than having to replace the injector. Have I just been lucky?
 
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