Cylinder leak test on a marine diesel engine

[rogerthebodger]

Has any one used this kind of test to determine what, if any, falut is causing the low compression of other faults on a diesel engine before dismantling the engine.

On a recent trip that involved motor sailing for 16 hours I last 3 to 4 litres of fresh cooling water and had white smoke/steam out of the exhaust.

 

[RichardS]

I can't see what else it could be other than a perforated head gasket or head. Either way, the head has got to come off, surely?

Richard

 

[rogerthebodger]

That's what I an afraid of

 

[PaulRainbow]

That's what I an afraid of

You can test for blown head gaskets and cracked heads, that result i coolant entering the cylinders, for instance ; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BT-3-BLO...979883&hash=item41c72ebe9c:g:MuUAAOSwLEtYi8Gi

 

[pcatterall]

You can test for blown head gaskets and cracked heads, that result i coolant entering the cylinders, for instance ; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BT-3-BLO...979883&hash=item41c72ebe9c:g:MuUAAOSwLEtYi8Gi

Any comments on the super seal referred to in the eBay ad. Can it be a stop gap repair? If it solves the problem then at least you know what the issue is and that head off and new gasket is required soon? ( I do recall putting eggs in radiators worked for small holes !.)

 

[PaulRainbow]

Any comments on the super seal referred to in the eBay ad. Can it be a stop gap repair? If it solves the problem then at least you know what the issue is and that head off and new gasket is required soon? ( I do recall putting eggs in radiators worked for small holes !.)

I've read reports of it stopping leaks but never used it myself and i remain skeptical Peter. The block tester definitely works and if it tells you that there is a leak i'd get it fixed pronto.

I remember the eggs in radiators, though i seem to remember, as well as stopping the leak it bunged the rad' up :ambivalence:

 

[rogerthebodger]

I

I remember the eggs in radiators, though i seem to remember, as well as stopping the leak it bunged the rad' up :ambivalence:

When in was poor and in the UK is did use some bars leaks it think it was called but like you it blocked up the whole cooling system

Thks for the reference to the cooling water tester, I have heard of that before. Just need to find where I can get some local.

 

[RichardS]

Any comments on the super seal referred to in the eBay ad. Can it be a stop gap repair? If it solves the problem then at least you know what the issue is and that head off and new gasket is required soon? ( I do recall putting eggs in radiators worked for small holes !.)

I've successfully used K-Seal to repair a leaky head gasket in a V8 petrol engine but it's not my ideal solution.

Richard