Black oil like stuff from exhaust

[oGaryo]

All, I've agree to roll the sleeves up and help out... will pop in on route to my boat this weekend to give Ian's the once over and brief him on what bits do what.. Will check the basics to ascertain if it's something simple like a sticking choke, dodgy lecky connecton or a tune up required, including mixture/idle settings on the carb.. Ian's told me some of his gauges have started to play up which sort of leads me to an earthing issue affecting not just the gauges but possibly timing and the electronic choke if one's fitted... Will take my DVM to check a few voltages and continuity and if I can find it, will take a compression gauge to see if the cylinder readings are balanced and will check for any blow back through the carb neck.

Another observation s it could be a cooling issue... Ian has said the temp gauge used to go red, then drop back to green and idle ok at that point.. it now stays in red which could be the thermostat not opening reliably

I'll be under the engine cover of mine later in the day sorting out this serpentine belt issue but am sure Ian will feedback results if I can't get online from the boat

 

[rafiki_]

Gary, running too rich will may be a consequence of running cold, but not hot. Running a large engine at just above idle is clearly a recipe for running cool, but not too extreme, and there will be many others running ok on the rivers.

We used to run an OMC V8 on the Norfolk Broads. She ran cool, but no real probs.

 

[Ian45]

I just had to update this post as oGaryo true to his word very generously gave his time yesterday to meet me at my boat and run through some possible problem areas regarding the engine situation.

This forum has been nothing but friendly and helpful since I started but just wanted to say a public 'thank you' to oGaryo for his advise and help in giving this numpty an idiots guide to engine parts.

Thanks again Gary and to all those who offered advice. I will update this post when I finally resolve the problem.

 

[oGaryo]

I just had to update this post as oGaryo true to his word very generously gave his time yesterday to meet me at my boat and run through some possible problem areas regarding the engine situation.

This forum has been nothing but friendly and helpful since I started but just wanted to say a public 'thank you' to oGaryo for his advise and help in giving this numpty an idiots guide to engine parts.

Thanks again Gary and to all those who offered advice. I will update this post when I finally resolve the problem.

most welcome Ian, glad to have been of some assistance... summary findings are:

1.) 9V at the Choke which appears too low and you've found the choke butterfly plate isn't opening when the engine is warm which confirms either the choke is duff or the supply isn't high enough to operate it.

seemed strange to have what appeared to be a little fresh engine oil in the choke housing too.

2) you appear to have a fuel supply issue.. fuel isn't getting to the carb as efficiently as it should which suggests a partial blockage or fuel pump issue.. filters could do with changing... the carb may be furred up too if you didn't put stabiliser in over winter. You shouldn't need to cycle the throttle a dozen or so times to get the engine to start.

3) engine oil is overfilled by about half a litre to a litre... you need to get rid of the excess before going out on the next trip.


try tapping a 12v supply off somewhere and connecting that to your choke to see if it then opens and I'm sure one of the more experienced Volvo techs will be able to tell you where the AQ205a units get the supply to the electronic choke from (alternator or coil maybe) if I'm right, it'd apear you've got a voltage drop somewhere that could be affecting more than just the choke.

again, glad to be of help and was good to meet you.. hope you get it sorted soon.

cheers Gary

 

[vyv_cox]

Well done oGaryo. You seem to have found plenty to go on!

One comment. I had a Triumph TR5 a long time ago, the one with the Tecalmit mechanical fuel injector pump. Due to problems with it the fuel consumption was horrendous. One of the symptoms was that the oil level increased, due to the amount of unburnt fuel getting into the crankcase. It sounds like the same could be happening here.

Ultimately the oil viscosity could be compromised, giving bearing problems. Once the fuel problem is sorted I would change the oil. I had to change the big-end bearings, which were clearly well worn.

 

[Ian45]

One of the checks I did after Gary had left was to see if the choke was working. I started the engine and let it run until it would idle then checked the choke as Gary had instructed but no movement seemed to have happened, so I put it all back and ran it for another 10 minutes before checking again and still no movement.

Also I had only 9v at the choke supply when I believe it should be a full 12v so could this be the reason?

I did a bit of video while it was running and you will probably be able to hear that while it was on tick-over the speed of the engine varied. Choke problem again maybe?

I have uploaded the videos here:
http://youtu.be/XBtF1olBCws
http://youtu.be/RlAUYJ-kuak
http://youtu.be/ikpqdoOAPoA

 

[vyv_cox]

Without a circuit diagram and a lot more knowledge of how the carburettor works I can't advise. This seems to be a case where the input of a specialist will save a lot of time and messing about, and maybe some damage.

I would smell the oil on the dipstick. If there is petrol in it you could be damaging the engine, although less so at low power.

 

[rafiki_]

It does sound as if it is running over rich, and could be the choke.

 

[Ian45]

Just thought I would update you all regarding the engine and electrical problem.

Colin Ryan, a marine engineer used by boatone came to the boat yesterday and as some had already indicated, the problem was the choke. It wasn't opening properly and when Colin adjusted it to make sure it was open when warm, didn't close as the engine cooled. Knackered is the technical term I believe. As the the choke unit is no longer in production and it would seem I can do without it now Colin and adjusted it to be open, just a bit more of my time adjusting the throttle until warm, I shouldn't be spitting out balck soot and unburnt petrol anymore...oh joy!

Colin also diagnosed the split charge relay system was not working as it should, the reason why the leisure battery wasn't charging. After taking a look round the engine bay he pointed out the very untidy way the wiring had been installed when the battery charger had been fitted. Bits of insulation tape, loops of wiring above and beyond what was needed and I had to agree.

So, long story short, Colin is now going to fit a new, modern, charging system along with an extra leisure battery to give us better amperage to run the fridge, lights, shower, radio, TV....did I say fridge? SWMBO's favourite item on the the boat you know, never had a fridge on our old one.

So thank you all for your input, the general advice pointed in the right direction and a special thank you goes out to Gary for giving up his time.

 

[rafiki_]

Thanks Ian, good result and nice to get the feedback. I hope you now get some decent reliable running.

Fridge is a sore point at the moment on Rafiki. Have finally diagnosed as a faulty thermostat, which I will fit tomorrow, having been down a couple of blind alleys.

 

[oGaryo]

Just thought I would update you all regarding the engine and electrical problem.

Colin Ryan, a marine engineer used by boatone came to the boat yesterday and as some had already indicated, the problem was the choke. It wasn't opening properly and when Colin adjusted it to make sure it was open when warm, didn't close as the engine cooled. Knackered is the technical term I believe. As the the choke unit is no longer in production and it would seem I can do without it now Colin and adjusted it to be open, just a bit more of my time adjusting the throttle until warm, I shouldn't be spitting out balck soot and unburnt petrol anymore...oh joy!

Colin also diagnosed the split charge relay system was not working as it should, the reason why the leisure battery wasn't charging. After taking a look round the engine bay he pointed out the very untidy way the wiring had been installed when the battery charger had been fitted. Bits of insulation tape, loops of wiring above and beyond what was needed and I had to agree.

So, long story short, Colin is now going to fit a new, modern, charging system along with an extra leisure battery to give us better amperage to run the fridge, lights, shower, radio, TV....did I say fridge? SWMBO's favourite item on the the boat you know, never had a fridge on our old one.

So thank you all for your input, the general advice pointed in the right direction and a special thank you goes out to Gary for giving up his time.

excellent news Ian, glad you got it sorted