Smoking Mermaids

GRACIEJAY

GRACIEJAY

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Newbe here looking for a little advice if you would be so kind . I have just treated myself to a Channel Islands 32 and although I have a bit of knowledge of boats, engines I have none. I have twin 200hp Mermaid 4d turbos fitted, and they smoke the whole of the marina out when first started. They also seem to crank for a long time before starting. I have arranged for an engineer to change the filters and service etc. Is it common for these to smoke the way they do, and has anyone solved this problem. I need to try something as a nearby yacht has already complained. Many thanks.
 
Yup .. the Fords smoke.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif .. always have and will..

Should not be slow starting though, so you could have some issues ...

There used to be a cold start button to press on the fuel pump .... pysh throttle to max in neutral... where the leaver goes in to the fuel pump, there may be a spring loaded button.
Push this in when leaver is at WOT ( Wide Open Throttle).

Try to turn over and just as she ignites, pull throttle back... Should solve the slow starting when cold (and some smoke).

Engines will smoke at startup, but should clear quickly ... in principle ... how long since injectors were looked at?
 
Oi. Mucky Farter is the forum expert on smoke here. Clear off if you get more. Mucky is the world renowned, expert on smoke and giver of it. Dont come here trying to take over the title. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Get the injectors serviced for a start, that will help the starting. Dose the tank with Soltron a few times. It will lessen the smoke.

But MF being the king of smoke, wont let you win. I'll just go on chip fat.and keep the title. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
I thought there maybe a cold start button too, as on my previous boat there was, but I can't find it. At the moment I am starting it with the throttles on full but it still takes about 30 seconds of cranking before they will go.

I have found a small fuel leak on one of the engines and I thought this maybe causing this, but the other engine takes the same amount of time to start.

I don't know when the injectors were looked at, and is this something I should look at getting done? As when she is running, she is very smooth.

If the Fords are always going to smoke I should maybe look at buying my neighbours a bottle to try and keep them happy, or some gas masks.

Thanks in advance.
 
I'm sorry I don't wan't to take anyone's title, although I think I may be a good contender at the moment.

Thanks for the advice.

How should I deal with the yacht that has already complained though?
 
Raggies complain all the time about summate. Live with it. If it's not smoke, it's wash, or your a gin palace. If you have no stick and rag, yer doomed. They have the ability to forget they have an engine as well and behave accordingly.

If it's a problem to you, or an engine problem, sort it. Othwise.

I just try to leave just after the engines have started, dont hang around. They soon stop smoking when up to temp. But dont like admitting that here. Or look a dork and the Infamy of MF will be lost.
 
Speak to Cyril at Mermaid Marine, he's the MD and knows the engines backwards. Always very helpful. There's certainly a cold start button on the 6 cylinder engines, but my old Turbo 4 didn't have one, or certainly don't remember it having one. But then it always started very quickly with no smoke. But they've uprated the engine from my lowly 140hp to your 200hp.

The 6 cylinder Monarch on my old CI32 did have the cold start button which meant it started almost immediately but always with clouds of smoke. But it cleared pretty quickly.

Do speak to Mermaid, they are some of the most helpful and obliging people in the marine industry, a real pleasure to deal with. 01202 891824.

Mermaid Marine
 
I had a pair of mermaids and yes they are very smokey when cold. I found the best way to reduce it was a good long blast for a few hours at a decent speed.
I tried cleaning/changing injectors etc but made little difference
In the marina I fortunately wasnt alone woth smokey engines but to be considerate I used to start engines and go.
 
Tell the yottie that the smoke is a design feature, that's what Mermaid will tell you, if you do find a solution let us all know about it. As stated, single up and go as soon as possible, could be that your batteries are tired and not cranking fast enough, check the connections at both ends of the starter cables, along with the other suggestions. We are assuming that the smoke clears when under load and up to temperature?
 
" I thought there maybe a cold start button too, as on my previous boat there was, but I can't find it"

Depending on which fuel pump is fitted it may have an electrical one not the cable type. I think???? it is the CAV pumps that have electrical type fuel enrichment switches.

I agree with others that injectors are probably in need of some attention but Fords do smoke when cold.

Tom
 
[ QUOTE ]
" I thought there maybe a cold start button too, as on my previous boat there was, but I can't find it"

Depending on which fuel pump is fitted it may have an electrical one not the cable type. I think???? it is the CAV pumps that have electrical type fuel enrichment switches.

I agree with others that injectors are probably in need of some attention but Fords do smoke when cold.

Tom

[/ QUOTE ]

trying to remember but I do know that the engine was stopped by turning the key unlike ours that have cables, maybe there is a position on the key to engage the enricher? Mermiad will put you straight on that. But the smoke you have to live with.
 
Mermaid do a superb one day engine maintenance course at the factory several times a year, for £85 or so. You get lunch, manuals and a day playing with your engine model on the bench. Taught by the lads that build them during the week. Well worth doing as is joining the club for £15 a year. Lots of free advice when everything goes pear shaped. They even answered the phone on a bank holiday Sunday once for me and solved my problem.

Mine would take a little while on a cold winters day, but during the summer would catch within a couple of seconds from cold. Great big simple engines, all mechanical and will even run on 3 cylinders as we found out after a 25 year old injector fuel line fractured at the wrong end of the Solent, but we still made it home okay.

Pete
 
Been thinking about this and the information given is probably as good as it will get but..........

Slow starting on these engines along with lots of smoke could indicate worn rings.

Remove the injectors and do a compression test if all is well service the injectors. Let us know what you find.

Tom
 
Thirdsville.
LJ Silv.
My 81 140 had a button.
GJAY, yep smoke for a bit whatever You try.
Then will clear.
Wish I had one instead of me 'Green Thing' in My current boat.
 
If the valves are suspect. Valves on Fords like Lehmanns and Mermaids can be trickey.
Don't ever be tempted to lap old ones in.
Best practise is to Renew!
Apparently
 
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