diesel smoke

[athew]

Calling the diesel buffs out there ... I'm moving up from a sportsboat and have been interested in a 1988 twin diesel 8.6m cruiser. The engines are original Volvo TAMD31 @ 130hp, with appr 1100hrs each. When they were started up a fair cloud of smoke errupted. This continued, less so, as we motored through the marina and back for a few minutes. (The weather and tide were unsuitable for a trial run.) By the time we were back to the berth the exhaust was just smoking but certainly not a lot. The engines sounded fine with a slight 'clunk' as reverse was engaged but I wonder if the broker was right when he said that all the old engines were smokey till they heated up. Should I be wary? What should engines like these be like & are there any particular points to be aware of? Unfortunately I am not in a position to try the boat properly but would appreciate any advice.
Being new to this forum, I've enjoyed the reading the Q&A and have picked up quite a few tips along the way!

 

[byron]

Sounds normal to me with my limited knowledge. The smoke will clear once you have revved up under strain. The clunk, if the craft has outdrives then that is normal too.

ô¿ô

 

[ChrisP]

Shouldn't worry too much. My Mermaids smoke like buggers until the engine temperature's come up to normal and then they run as clean as you could want. The only problem with big diesels is the only way to get them truly warm is by loading them and ticking over on the river just don't make it. For years on the river we smoked out lockfull's of boats and unsuspecting riperian owners. But as soon as we got below the barrier off we went and so did the smoke. Only to return on our arrival back at Teddington.

Take it out on a better day and see what happens when the engines warm right up (approx 80C). Then if you are still uncomfortable get a good engine survey.

Best of luck and let us know the outcome.

ChrisP

P.S. If you are new at this game, do a quick check on the price of Volvo spares and servicing costs. You may find that your pocket will be more comfortable with an engine based on a comercial road engine. Spares prices and availability could be a big factor in the eventual running cost.

 

[hlb]

All sounds very normal. If your still breathing the engine have stopped.

Haydn

 

[boatone]

Was the smoke black, grey, blue or white.?


TonyR
boatone@boatsontheweb.com
www.boatsonthethames.co.uk

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Most non-electronically controlled diesels smoke like buggery on start up. I had a boat with TAMD31's once and the first time I started the engines I honestly thought we were on fire! They also vibrate and rattle a lot at idle but they smooth out at speed. Just get a competent mechanic to check them out properly if you going to offer on the boat

 

[adarcy]

Re: diesel smoke/Boat name

Hi Andy

Like your boat name, I do hope you transfer it if you change boats.

As the other replies say, don't think you can judge a marine diesel at river speeds and loads. You've got to get it warm and up on the plane or ask an expert to look at it/them.
It would be helpful to know the colour of the smoke and if it changed from the cold start to running at river load.

Best wishes

Anthony

 

[mtb]

Other post's say it all already
They sound fine to me as you say the smoke declined as they warmed up ,you do need to take into account cold starting and the injectors will still pump in fuel until it fires up .So if the engines has been turned over a few times before it starts then expect smoke .
Blue smoke and oil residue at the exhaust out let would indicate valve stems worn ,the oil seeps down into the manifold when engine off, so that on start up smoke will be blue coloured and dense but clear quite quickly
One tip turn up at the yard unannounced if you can ,while its still cold first thing in the morning. Ask to hear the engines again , you will then have a chance to hear them start from cold . Most people who are selling will start the engine before you get there ,if only to make sure it starts ok.
You do sound as though you have got sense enough to listen to the engine's that's half the battle so go with your instinct's

Mick

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/boats
I want a big steel ex trawler / tug v/cheep or swap for tug

 

[ccscott49]

A compression test on the negines will tell you all you need to know, any competent diesel mechanic should be able to do it, if they are turboed, an airbox boost test will also tell you a bunch, but they sound quite normal to me, I have ford mermaids, newish and they smoke like a bastard! on startup.

 

[Guest]

31 does smoke a lot when not up to temp 80 plus as do 41 series, no problem though as a rule the injectors need service /test for opening pressure at 1000 hours, the pressures will be down a lot at those hours, 41 series injectors suffer from broken springs as do 31 series so new ones a good idea, did this to a sealine with 31 in last year madea great improvement and more power too so budget for this, if your,e near me than I could take a look after you have bought the boat., where is it?.

Paul js.

 

[scottie]

If you are doing anything with the injectors fit s ervice exchange units about£50 from vp
not worth just having them serviced as the nearly aways need nozzles and end up costing more

 

[DepSol]

If you want to reduce the smoke try Soltron as it promotes a cleaner burn at lower temperatures.

Dom

 

[ccscott49]

Oh! God, not that stuff again!!!!! And I still haven't got any!

 

[longjohnsilver]

What you mean Dom is that you promote shitron, as we all know it does not promote less smoke! ;-))

 

[hlb]

Ah But!!

I took out the injectors after 1000 Hrs and 13 years. Sent them for servicing. Came back, nothing wrong with them.

Haydn

 

[DepSol]

No John it didnt work for you but I wont go into the possible reasons why (cmon you use the crappiest fuels cos I know where you dont mind filling up from, BTW that fuel was tested and i heard that cetane value was 43).

It does reduce smoke ask Rich he had loads of problems. I have test results from clients fuel that proves it improves the combustability.

Thats why you dont like our beer John cos your BITTER
Dom

 

[longjohnsilver]

And Twisted!! NM

.

 

[ToMo]

Re: And Twisted!!

Yer see we've bin tryin ter tell ya "Smoking Is Bad For Your Health"!

 

[Guest]

I've got a Volvo TAMD31A in a 1988 Nimbus 2600 with 560 hrs on the clock and it smokes on start up, clouds of white stuff, more so on cold mornings but clears to just a wisp when warmed up. I've had the boat since last July and have checked around and found that it's quite normal for the A series engine. An improvement has been found since I had the injectors serviced and the injector nozzels changed due to pitting, cleaned the fuel tank to remove any water and sediment and put injector cleaner in the tank, but it still smokes quite a lot. As it burns no oil and the fuel consumption is good and it starts and runs well, i'll live with it. Take a look at MMB March 2002 page 104 about smoking TAMD41 engines. As for the gearbox clunk mine gives a slight one on going astern I don't know if that's normal for a Volvo gearbox on a shaft driven prop, can any one tell me.

 

[DepSol]

Thats normal for a volvo