Am I being too critical?

[New Boater]

Hi all,

I have two very well looked after KAD32’s with just under 1000 hours on each unit.

Everything works as it should but the Port engine doesn’t run as smooth as the Starboard engine.

Now when I say not as smooth the difference is tiny but when looking across the top of the engines when they are ticking over the Port engine rocks ever so slightly more than the Starboard unit! Not rev dependant as it is over all rpms.

I don’t think it is as bad as a miss (and I am assuming a miss would create a ton of smoke) and neither units produces any smoke

I have gapped the tappets

Have pulled and ultrasonically cleaned the injectors and tested them, they all spray good and gave the same reading before popping off (sorry but I can’t remember the pressure, does anyone know what it should be?)

Shall I just run them and stop being a twit?

 

[billskip]

Engine mounts?

 

[Clash]

Engine mounts?

First thing I thought of too.

 

[kashurst]

Engine mounts. If it was some sort of misfiring it's really obvious, the engine will properly shudder.
Plus don't waste your time trying to get two boat engines to run exactly the same, with the same temps and pressures etc. It will drive you nuts.
If they both perform well forget it.

 

[Bouba]

I second engine mounts....also prop alignment....and if there is an imbalance in the prop...even something simple like an anode wearing unevenly

 

[Portofino]

I second engine mounts....also prop alignment....and if there is an imbalance in the prop...even something simple like an anode wearing unevenly

This is tick over as well . No g box engagement.
Engine mounts needs investigation…..but it’s not urgent bcz if you change one motors the other will then appear different on its old mounts .Save swapping both sides as Kashurts says you will end chasing shadows.

The offending motor might just need one tightening up ?

 

[New Boater]

Aaaaaah ok I hadn’t though of that!

I will check and let you know!

Assuming a big crow bar right?

 

[billskip]

Aaaaaah ok I hadn’t though of that!

I will check and let you know!

Assuming a big crow bar right?

Me, I would first use mk 1 eyeball, look for any obvious signs of deteriorating, also look at the other engine because maybe there is difference...I don't think you are going to achieve much by threatening it with a crowbar.

 

[Bouba]

A stethoscope might help

 

[New Boater]

Me, I would first use mk 1 eyeball, look for any obvious signs of deteriorating, also look at the other engine because maybe there is difference...I don't think you are going to achieve much by threatening it with a crowbar.

Lol good point!

 

[Portofino]

I once was going a regular oil change + filter . You know what its like even with the best intentions loadsa wrags oil inevitably gets split .
4 mounts on @ each corner each with an adjustable foot to the engine for fine prop alignment.
Started to wipe up and noticed a top bolt , the one that holds it down loose - finger tight , I was wiping up oil and it moved !
I used a Sq bar which was hollow about 1M to slip over the std ratchet handle . Went round them all 8 in total .
Although I had no known to me symptoms.
I did ( wife at helm ) go in cruising in calm seas to observe - saw nothing vibration wise and took a good look at the shaft seals .looking for signs of not quite aligned , again nothing different between the two .

Anyhow one engine was running ( for how ever long - dunno ? ) with a loose mount to the motor .