Injector woes and praise for a specialist engineer, Scotland.

[Gordonmc]

Symptoms were rough running on tick-over, smoke at all revs and a smell of diesel in the exhaust and the final indicator, the sump oil level way over the dipstick mark.
I tried the trick of running neat diesel additive through the system but although there was a slight improvement, thing were still not right. I pulled the injectors which are mechanical and then found problems getting them tested and serviced.
The local "fuel injection specialists" I contacted do not do diesels and one further afield who I was recommended to by my local garage man would only do electro-magnetic injectors.
Eventually I hit on a company near Cumbernauld. On the phone they sounded confident they could do the job, even though the injectors were of unknown make.
So I drove over and as well as having properly working injectors again, I learned all about them as the proprietor explained things as he worked.
First, a spray test which found No. 2 (of four) was only working on two of five holes.
A strip down of that injector revealed something hard was lodged in the spray tip. Some fine work with a probe dislodged whatever it was after twenty minutes or so and multiple washes and air-gun blasts had all five sprays working.
A test then revealed the injector tip was weeping due to internal damage to the cone allowing fuel past the needle. That was cured by using a fine grinding paste which allowed the needle to seat.
All this was done as I waited and I was in and out in under an hour.
The company, with whome I have no connection: McAlister Fuel Injectors, Napier Road, Wardpark Industrial Estate, G68 0EF.
Sorry for the length of this post, but the service of this company and the depth of knowlege of Steven McAlister is worthy of passing on.

 

[NormanS]

Thanks. Noted.

 

[Heckler]

Symptoms were rough running on tick-over, smoke at all revs and a smell of diesel in the exhaust and the final indicator, the sump oil level way over the dipstick mark.
I tried the trick of running neat diesel additive through the system but although there was a slight improvement, thing were still not right. I pulled the injectors which are mechanical and then found problems getting them tested and serviced.
The local "fuel injection specialists" I contacted do not do diesels and one further afield who I was recommended to by my local garage man would only do electro-magnetic injectors.
Eventually I hit on a company near Cumbernauld. On the phone they sounded confident they could do the job, even though the injectors were of unknown make.
So I drove over and as well as having properly working injectors again, I learned all about them as the proprietor explained things as he worked.
First, a spray test which found No. 2 (of four) was only working on two of five holes.
A strip down of that injector revealed something hard was lodged in the spray tip. Some fine work with a probe dislodged whatever it was after twenty minutes or so and multiple washes and air-gun blasts had all five sprays working.
A test then revealed the injector tip was weeping due to internal damage to the cone allowing fuel past the needle. That was cured by using a fine grinding paste which allowed the needle to seat.
All this was done as I waited and I was in and out in under an hour.
The company, with whome I have no connection: McAlister Fuel Injectors, Napier Road, Wardpark Industrial Estate, G68 0EF.
Sorry for the length of this post, but the service of this company and the depth of knowlege of Steven McAlister is worthy of passing on.

For those in places where you dont have access to pros like this. I used to service imjectors when I was in my twenties. This story took me back! Basically we had a simple Hartridge pump and gauge plus a set of "prickers" I would undo the injectors, clean them of carbon and use the prickers to clean the holes in the nozzles. If on testing on the Hartridge the nozzles dribbled we would use Brasso to lap the nozzles in with a bit of string on the pin to spin it. So if you are in the middle of nowhere you can resurrect a bad nozzle!
Stu

 

[Aja]

Maybe just to complete the circle but I wonder if your injector specialist used to work for Cummins diesels also in Wardpark Ind Estate. In the old days Cummins used to refurb your engine, including injectors. Only do their own engines now, but having a look through their outside storage area a couple of years ago still threw up smaller Volvos and Perkins...
Donald

 

[ianj99]

If you are further south, an equally good service is provided by Lynx Diesels in Wokingham. They overhauled my 4018's pump and injectors a few years ago at minimal cost, changing only what needed changing and recalibrating the injectors.

 

[wully1]

Cumbernauld must a centre of diesel excellence!

I had my 4108 from a previous boat rebuilt by a garage farther to the east, out by the railway viaduct. I recal their main business was reconditioning bus engines. They did a superb job for a very reasonable sum

 

[Sneaky Pete]

If the injectors where needing lapped it may have been a good time to have the pump re calibrated by the same company. From your post it would appear they have all the necessary kit to do this. Thanks for the info helpful.