Albin 021 10hp Petrol

[Trintella]

Does / did any of you have one of these petrol engines? If not they are two cylinder four stroke side valves. I have fitted hardened valve guides so it can run on unleaded. Not sure if it is an unusual feature, but No.1 fires, then No.2, then No.1 exhaust, then No.2 exhaust - so not ever going to be that smooth.

I have re-built mine and whilst it now runs there is a fairly irregular, deep, knocking noise when running. It didn't work when I bought the boat so I have not heard it running before.

I doubt it is anything mechanical as all the important parts were measured by a machine shop, the bores were honed and new rings fitted. Compression is good. No nasty mechanical sounds when turning over with the starting handle. In fact no nasty noises when turning over with Dynastart with leads pulled off.

I can't really isolate the knocking noise, I thought it might be coming from the gearbox, but if it was mechanical you'd have thought I would be able to feel the vibration & localise it, but I can't. That's what makes me think it is combustion/timing related.

I've set the timing up per the instructions & played around with it whilst running, the knocking gets worse when the engine runs irregularly, trouble is, if I retard the ignition too far I can't get it to keep running/start.

The throttle spindle in the carb is worn (as is the rest of the carb I suspect), but I have temporarily sealed it with pkf(?) plumbers teflon tape wrapped around the spindle - this makes the engine tick over more smoothly, but does not seem to affect the irregular knocking.

I've heard a Volvo MD20(? - name may be wrong) running in a Pentland & it sounded pretty 'knocky' but then it is a diesel!

Any ideas? Is the 'knocking' just the sound of the engine firing!!?

Thanks

Giles



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[sailorman]

Hi
when was your Trintella built as i was fitting these out @ Royston in the late 60s
( would need to put thr ole thinking cap on to get the exact dates)

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[Trintella]

She is "Trintella of Avon" - built '67 launched '68.

The Albin is '67. Badged "Alisa Craig".

She is really original, thank you for building them so well!

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[Joe]

The albin 10hp is normally a very quite running engine.
I think you may have to go round and check everything untill you isolate the noise. Its the only way!
Could well be the timing though.
Is it still on the magnito?
or has it been converted to coil?
From what you have said a low knocking noise is usually a big end related problem.
These engines have a side plate to get to the bottom end so you could re check everything i think without going to extreme lengths.
By the way if you want a carb i have one that i used to keep as a spare.
Is yours a brass one with a brass strainer?
I also have a gearbox pack.
Joe

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[Trintella]

Joe

Many thanks for the reply. We will double check the big end bolts etc. but everything seems tight in terms of wear - it was all measured and checked as within tolerance during the rebuild.

We are still using the SEM Magneto. Originally we set the timing on the bench using a car ignition system - it should have been perfect (in theory). I found some more info on the web perhaps having the head skimmed has raised the compression & combined with ordinary unleaded (lower octane) it looks like a candidate - I can't retard the timing enough (without the engine failing to fire) to eliminate the knocking to any great extent - I'm going to drain the tank and try premium unleaded instead.

I would be very interested in your carb & gearbox spares.

My carb is this one: http://www.forsmarin.se/reserv/reskat/O11O21/forgasare.pdf

It does have a brass strainer, but the body itself looks like aluminum.

I'll send you PM with my e-mail address.

Regards

Giles

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[TheoSr]

I used to work on Albins long ago, did you set the magneto timing correctly? As there is a snapping device for slow running, it is not easy to find the right moment the points start to open. There should be timing marks on the gears. Wrong timing will result in knocking. These engines have low compression and should run on low octane without any problems. The firing sequence is because the pistons are 180 deg apart, which helps balance.
Assuming the magneto is in good order, adjust as follows:
Set ignition to full advance
With warm engine running under load,
Magneto bolts just loose.
Turn magneto to advance further untill engine starts to knock.
Turn magneto back until knocking stops.
Secure magneto in this position.

If still knocking, there will be a more expensive problem, good luck!




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[Trintella]

Thank you for your reply.

Slightly worrying is that I have already been through the procedure you describe and could not get rid of the noise even by retarding the ignition so far that the engine would not run.

It is not a loud knocking noise, just an irregular (less so with more revs) knocking sound (as opposed to a pinking sound) that can be heard in the background - could it be that it is the sound of the engine firing and that it is misfiring, hence making the sound irregular?

Thanks



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[Mudplugger]

A long time ago, had a twin cyl Albin which worked like clockwork until I changed the plugs!.....I suffered a really lousy season with similar symptons, until the said engine died on me in the entrance to Goes Marina...Elderly Dutch gentleman took pity on me came aboard, looked , and said get some Bosch plugs.....He ran me to the local agent, we changed the plugs back to Bosch and the engine reverted to being like clockwork.... By the way a guy called John Stanton, New Forest way, used to be the authority.

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[Trintella]

Thanks for the reply. Mr Stanton still runs Stanton Marine and has been a great help to us as we went through the rebuild.

In fact I made the post because I was unable to get hold of him for a couple of days. He too recommends Bosch spark plugs - I've just received two new ones so I'll try them tomorrow.

Happily I have identified the knocking, it was in the gearbox - forward gear had come undone due to my friend only had tightening the locking nut! Mt Stanton suggested it would be something silly like this! For general info in case there are any other Albin fans out there his details are:

Stanton Marine & Leisure
8 Danehurst New Road
Tiptoe
Lymington
Hampshire
SO41 6FW
UK
T. +44 (0)1590 681848
F. +44 (0)1590 681848
E. j.stanton@which.net
Web: www.homepages.which.net/~j.stanton


Thanks to everyone who replied - lots of good advice - thanks.

Giles

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