Diesel mechanic

  • Thread starter Thread starter Alcyone
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Alcyone

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Can anyone recommend a good diesel mechanic able to work in the Cardiff area? My Bukh 10hp in Ishtar needs some attention, at worst a rebuild and I want to get it sorted before next season. I did have guy who said he'd do it, but he's let me down badly.
 
I'll keep an eye out Matt. I'm sure either Kenny or John behind the bar said they knew someone too. The engine is getting harder and harder to start as it gets colder and I was hoping to be able to sail all winter.
 
It's a nice idea, but I think it might be a bit more expensive than that. I'm not overly bothered with the cost, as we had a cracking deal with the boat, and I suspected the engine. It's the hassle of finding someone reliable without getting ripped off and getting it done that's teh problem.
 
If anyone knows of a reliable diesel mechanic / diesel engine vendor and installer in the Portishead area, then I'd be interested.

Sorry, not overtly trying to hijack the thread.
 
I'm pretty certain it's knackered. It won't start without cold start (previous owner to thank for that) and you can turn the flywheel by hand. Uses oil as well, so I reckon it's piston rings and/or valves.

Once it starts, it goes fine, and pushes the boat. Switch it off for an hour, and it won't start without cold start again. I'm just nervous it's going to play up when I need to start it sharpish.

It's been fine whilst I've been playing about in the bay learning, but I hop to get further afield next year, so it needs looking at.
 
Have you tried warming the air up a bit near the air intake with a blowlamp or similar? May be enough to keep you going until you get it overhauled.
 
I haven't tried that, but I know of it. It's not a problem, as I reckon I can start it, given time. I'm more concerned if I have to start it in an emergency.

Not going to stop me sailing the way it is, unless it gets a lot colder I reckon.

BTW, we're hoping to be sailing tomorrow aftenoon if anyone is around.
 
"Whats wrong with it anyway?"

"I'm pretty certain its knackered"

I love this forum........... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
My brother had a 10hp Bukh in his Centaur which sounds a little like yours. His would not start the first time but once it had run, it would start OK for the weekend or a weeks holiday. His trick was to remove the airfilter, squirt a small amount of oil into the inlet manifold and turn the engine over to let it drip into the bores. This would give him enough compression to start the engine. I would not use easystart as it can clean the bores and rings which will reduce the compression.
Allan
 
Hi Paul, no heater plugs on this engine. The chap who had originally said he would work on it said it was possible to retro fit some kind of heater near the air intake.

Allan, I've heard that trick too, and I'm sure it works, but as I said, it's not something I fancy having to do if I'm drifting onto rocks, or need to move fast. From what I can gather, it is likely that the use of easy start by the previous owner is very likely to be the reason the engine is now struggling. I've tried and tried to start it without it, and on warm days in the summer it would, but now I'll just end up with a flat battery, so I think I'll use it to start the engine so I can use the boat, and get the problem sorted as soon as I can.
 
Hi Martin, sorry to hear of your engine woes, my engine is a cow to start this time of year but once it stars its ok and even if i turn it off for hours it starts first turn, its just that initial start that doesnt happen, so i do what graham has said, on the first start of the day get Louise to just play a flame from a blow lamp over the air intake as you turn the engine over, it should start instantly.
 
Not an expert mechanic, though have done a couple of top end decokes on various cars.

I had a Bukh 10 which was a devil to start. To be fair it was at least 20 years old, leaked oil everywhere.

On that one I bit the bullet and replaced it. After all, a reliable engine is probably No 1 safety gadget.

On a previous boat the Bukh 10 was a bugger to start. Easy start was used liberally.

The guy I sold it to had a decoke, and all was fine after that.

As you are asking, it probably needs a mechanic to sort it, but it could also just be past its sell by date. You have the choice of rebuilding, or replacing.

A decoke is not difficult to do, and does not need to many extra tools (torque wrench is probably the most expensive) But you will be wise to replace valves etc

The factor that influenced my decision to replace was that the old Bukh had a dynostart, which put less charge back into the battery than any reasonable expectation.

I bought a new 13hp kubuto, at this time of year they discounted heavily to get my business. Was a terrific engine, and a lot lighter than the old bukh. Which improved the sailing ability of the boat no-end.

As a laught, I moved onto my third boat a Sadler 32, which came with a bukh 20!!!!!

But dont have much problems with it, in fact it starts very well, charges batteries, and is reasonably economical.

Good luck.

Mj
 
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