How much tilt can a diesel engine take without problems

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svilling

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We are replacing our yachts old engine and are in the middle of the process, comparing engine data. One of the things where the engines differs, is how much continous and intermittent tilt (inclination) the engine can take without causing any problems. The declared data varies from 10 to 35 degrees, and thats a big span.
- I mean, when tacking in heavy weather, it sometimes will be valuabel to be able to turn the engine on, especially in the narrow waters of our swedish archipelagos.

Anyone had any thought about this ?
 
I can only think it's to do with the oil pickup and is dependant on the sump arrangement and baffling.
Minis were a sod for running bearings if you cornered hard to the right ( I mean very hard and continously under full power) as all the oil moved away from the oil strainer. The clever mod was a centre oil pick-up.

Perhaps an sump extension and longer pick-up pipe would increase your available heeling range under power.
 
From memory - the book is on the boat - the VP2002 is happy to operate with a roll angle up to 30 deg, but a pitch angle of only 10 deg *. Agree with Lakesailor, the issue is oil pickup. Not so sure about deepening the sump, though; usually the idea is to get the engine into the boat as low as possible, both for C of G considerations and also to minimise shaft angle. With a saildrive of course, the latter restriction is removed, but I still think I would like the single heaviest bit of kit on the boat to be low.

Good point about differences between manufacturers, though. Maybe some are less "marinised" than others?

* An argument for in-line engines for motor cars?
 
Fit a oil pressure guage, most modern synthetic oils protect bearing surfaces, and diesels normally run slow revs,I dont think you have a problem.
 
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Didn't know minis had diesel engines!

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Lakesailor didn't mention them being diesel... wouldn't it be the same regardless of which type of mini engine?
 
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I
Minis were a sod for running bearings if you cornered hard to the right ( I mean very hard and continously under full power) as all the oil moved away from the oil strainer.


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Ah but thats in the Lake District, isn't it? Most of us have roads that go approximatly from a to b without too many contortions..... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

But engine tilt is not only to do with location of the oil pick up. In addition to the pressureised system there is a degree of splach lubrication going on, and if the engine is tilted beond spec too frequently, oil starvation of e.g. the cylinder walls and small ends can occur. Odd bursts like in a rough sea dont matter as the oil will be splashing around more anyway.
 
What angle does your boat stiffen up at, mine rarely goes beyond 20 deg even when close hauled, though some heel far more. Compare this with the manufacturers data.

When motor sailing the angle of heel is usually less, and can certainly be made so if you are concious.

When tacking you are mainly upright.
 
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Ah but thats in the Lake District, isn't it? Most of us have roads that go approximatly from a to b without too many contortions..... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

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I was thinking more of rallying and Autotests. I wouldn't drive like that on public roads in daylight. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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