Penta Md2b overheating, advice needed, maybe need engineer local to Barry

[scottie]

Andy92, thank you for starting this thread and reporting back on progress. Sorry I don't know the recommended oil pressure.

Ten years ago I had similar problems with an an MD11C and tried the same techniques as you (but was not brave enough to take the heads off). I do have a couple of hotspots around 90c but they are stable i.e. they don't get much wider under load which suggests the nearby material is conducting heat away effectively to regions with better water flow. I think the cast iron blocks and steel liners can handle that. I do keep an eye on exhaust water flow and temperature. The engine continues to start and run well.

I suspect I will have to take the heads off at some stage. How difficult did you find it?

Minor point MD2B does not have liners

 

[Andy92]

Hi TC, hopefully it May be of some use although of-course i have only done it once so there’s probably better ways haha

With the overheating that I experienced the temperature gauge wouldn’t have shown an issue because the restriction prevented the manifold warming up prior to the cylinder overheating, also the thermostat never got warm enough to open and so the cooling water just bypassed the manifold and went straight out the exhaust meaning the exhaust water never warmed up either.

I’m now convinced the only fool proof way to monitor the engine temperature is as you have said with an infrared thermometer at a standard distance all around the blocks.

I’m hoping the engine doesn’t cause me any trouble I like the idea of keeping the old girl going for many years to come and wouldn’t be able to afford a replacement for a while anyway.

I hope you manage to keep yours going too TC seems you are very vigilant so if anyone’s going to manage it you will.