Diesel injector question

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dave_gibsea

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Hi All,

Two years ago I had my Yanmar 1GM10 injector checked at PowerDrive in Portsmouth. They said it was hosing and recommended a replacement which I bought from them.

Two years and about 300 hours running later I have taken it back for a service only to be told its hosing and should be replaced. This doesnt seem right to me, I would expect a new injector to last a lot longer than this. So whats the feeling? should I look for another replacement injector or another company to get second opinion? I always used Marine Power but they dont do injecotr servicing now.

Any recommendations in the Portsmouth Fareham area, SW London or somewhere in-between?

Thanks, Dave
 
What were the symptoms when running? Poor starting/ exhaust smoke when cold/ under full load? If your fuel is contaminated with water the injectors will suffer.
 
I think you have answered your own question, as 300 hours could be clocked up in a couple of weeks on an HGV, it would never be our of the repair shop!

on a practical note, take them to a automotive diesel specialist, for a check or service..
 
Engine was starting and running fine, having done a lot of hours in the last two years I thought id get the injector checked as I was doing a major service.
 
Shame where you are located. Several years back I have a Volvo 2030 which had reached recommended several hours. I took the injectors to Colchester Fuel (lorries, buses, cars, marine) and left them for service. While returning home, they rang me saying they were are hosing, did I want them serviced. I agreed and collected them the next morning. Ran like new. Can't now remember how much, not a lot of money. More recently, a different boat, I have a Perkins 6.354 and again it reached recommended service hours (2500 hrs). Took the 6 to Colchester Fuel again. This time Colchester said 'nothing wrong at all'. A charge of well less than £100 for the check. I agree, Go to a bus/lorry place.
 
Last edited:
david_bagshaw said:
I think you have answered your own question, as 300 hours could be clocked up in a couple of weeks on an HGV, it would never be our of the repair shop!

on a practical note, take them to a automotive diesel specialist, for a check or service..
Click to expand...
Agree about the hours. However, picturing a 1 cylinder 10 hp engine in a heavy goods vehicle made me chuckle.
 
Modern fuels are hygroscopic, and the presence of water along with high pressures and small nozzles can combine to cause injector nozzle erosion and failure. Older engines eg my Ford Dover had much bigger nozzles, as compare a biro to a needle, the man said, and that's why they lasted 14000 hours plus, probably still going. Local boat with a Beta 50hp has had injectors changed after 1500 hours or so.
 
I'm puzzled about Powerdrive in Portsmouth. I've used them for over 30 years for a range of specialist diesel repairs with both road and marine applications and never found them anything other than 100% in diagnosis and repairs/refurbishment. I strongly suggest you go back to them, and ask them why the injector has failed so quickly? Unless they have changed hands, my experience of them is that they know exactly what they are doing, have the best equipment for testing and setting up, and will be able to find out why it has failed again so soon. I think you will find they too regard an injector with just 300 hours as being almost new.

I would want to find out why this has happened before throwing any more money at replacement parts: there are other things that can cause injector damage, such as low pump pressure, corrosion inside the injector, specially to the needle (yes it can happen, particularly on a small marine engine that may lie idle for months in humid conditions), poor fuel quality, and so on.

Personally I would trust Powerdrive to be able to give you pointers from what they found inside the injector as to what else may have caused this. Goback and talk to them about it some more.
 
Use a fuel adative. There are many brands, some specific marine ones. They can treat the dreaded deisel bug algae, prevent reoccurrence, and prevent water issues.

It might be that your fuel has some contamination. Replacing the 'o' ring seal on the fuel filler cap can also help stop water getting into the fuel. Much cheaper than an injector.
 
Sounds odd. Suggest 2nd opinion but elsewhere.
I used M&B injection in Eastleigh. Not too far. Generators and Lorries ofcourse, + boat experience as its so close to the Solent.
Checked mine, and one needed adjusting. I was told to speak to Charlie at the back, and gave him a tenner for beer money.
 
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