Southampton - engine help needed.

[Wandering Star]

I’m thinking of buying a boat (Moody 29) with a dicky Bukh 20 engine squeezed tightly into the engine bay. Access is poor but not impossible. I think (hope) the engine will be repairable, the boat has been standing for a couple of years and the engine seems to be seized, i tried the starter motor (new) and I tried the starting handle to turn the engine but it doesn’t budge!

So first question, any opinions on what might be seized? I’m thinking the piston rings in the pots in which case a solid tap on a lump of wood to the piston heads?

My second question is, any suggestions for a mobile engineer in the Southampton area who would help with either repairing or replacing (with identical secondhand) engine. At the very least, the engine will need sliding into the main cabin, at worst it’ll need lifting out.

Any advice welcomed.

 

[Boater Sam]

Pull the injectors out. If there is 2 year old water in the bores its a major overhaul required. If the bores are dry, try penetrating oil in the bore for a week and try turning it again, either way.

 

[[194224]]

............? I’m thinking the piston rings in the pots in which case a solid tap on a lump of wood to the piston heads?
..........................................
.

You're planning to remove the cylinder head? You'd need to strike a piston pretty hard to move the rotating mass I fancy. The mechanical advantage is with trying to move it from the bottom end. Advice from Boater Sam is a good start.

 

[Wandering Star]

Thanks for both bits of advice, useful, as you’ll realise I’m not too knowledgeable! If I removed both injectors in situ, would I be able to pour WD40 straight into the pots through the injector holes or will their be something to prevent me doing this? Then leave the WD40 to do it’s stuff over a week or so?

I’ve Googled “seized Bukh 20” but apart from mentions of the problem being fairly common, there doesn’t seem much help in identifying what’s ythe most likely reason for the flywheel being totally locked, there are usually dozens of. YouTube videos to help but I can’t find any!

 

[XDC]

Isn’t the principle the same regardless of size?

 

[Poignard]

Is there water in the sump?

 

[Freebee]

Not wd40 it is not penetrating oil , its a water dispersant hence WD , if you can access the cylinder bores then pour in some diesel or diesel and automatic transmission fluid (ATF) mixed.. and leave it to penetrate.

 

[Wandering Star]

Is there water in the sump?

Nope, the oil looks clean on the dipstick.

 

[Wandering Star]

Not wd40 it is not penetrating oil , its a water dispersant hence WD , if you can access the cylinder bores then pour in some diesel or diesel and automatic transmission fluid (ATF) mixed.. and leave it to penetrate.

Thanks for this advice, If I get to this stage I’ll use diesel not WD40 then.

 

[Wandering Star]

View attachment 153234

Isn’t the principle the same regardless of size?

Thanks, none of those videos actually discuss what the causes of the seized engine might be. I still need to identify why this particular engine is seized, what might be causing it to not turn? I do know the engine was rebuilt in 2012 with new liners & pistons etc and it’s recently had a new starter motor and water pump. I just can’t imagine its terminally sick - but it maybe!

 

[Wandering Star]

Recommendations for an engineer in the Southampton area would be very helpful - just to get a clear (paid for) diagnosis of what’s wrong. My problem is the boats at the top end of my meagre budget, it’s not affordable if I need to re-engine it but would be affordable if it only meant the cost of a a drop of transmission fluid & diesel with a fair amount of blood sweat &tears thrown in To get it running.

 

[Freebee]

if you get the head off you will not get anywhere hammering on the pistons to move them...... there is just too much drag from the crank and all the other mechanical gubins that is attached. you might get to break it free by the use of a long lever on the crank starter dog but be aware its easy to snap bolt threads if you use too much force.

 

[Freebee]

if you go on youtube you can search on freeing a stuck engine the basic principles apply.

 

[PhillM]

Recommendations for an engineer in the Southampton area would be very helpful - just to get a clear (paid for) diagnosis of what’s wrong. My problem is the boats at the top end of my meagre budget, it’s not affordable if I need to re-engine it but would be affordable if it only meant the cost of a a drop of transmission fluid & diesel with a fair amount of blood sweat &tears thrown in To get it running.

Where in Southampton?

 

[PhillM]

Oh and talk to Dave Hancock re condition and any work you may need. He’s ex Moody and I can highly recommend. Pm me if you want his number.

 

[Wandering Star]

if you go on youtube you can search on freeing a stuck engine the basic principles apply.

Thanks.

 

[Wandering Star]

Where in Southampton?

Southampton Quayside Marina

 

[john_morris_uk]

I don’t suspect there’s anything unique about this little Diesel engine. Most likely a light coating of rust in the bores and the piston rings are stuck. Diesel in the bores and patience…. Then a gentle heave on a long extension on a socket in the crankshaft nut. The starter motor might be a bit too violent! Turn it over slowly once you’ve got it un-siezed and ideally check the compression on each cylinder after it’s started and run for a while.

 

[James_Calvert]

As John says above.

You'll need a big ring spanner or equivalent for the injectors.

And a socket that fits the crankshaft nut.

 

[Tranona]

I’m thinking of buying a boat (Moody 29) with a dicky Bukh 20 engine squeezed tightly into the engine bay. Access is poor but not impossible. I think (hope) the engine will be repairable, the boat has been standing for a couple of years and the engine seems to be seized, i tried the starter motor (new) and I tried the starting handle to turn the engine but it doesn’t budge!

So first question, any opinions on what might be seized? I’m thinking the piston rings in the pots in which case a solid tap on a lump of wood to the piston heads?

My second question is, any suggestions for a mobile engineer in the Southampton area who would help with either repairing or replacing (with identical secondhand) engine. At the very least, the engine will need sliding into the main cabin, at worst it’ll need lifting out.

Any advice welcomed.

Don't go there!

Golden rule if buying a 40 year old boat to use (rather than a project) on a limited budget a replacement engine or a working engine with a proper service record is a must. Even more important if you can't work on a dodgy engine yourself.

Old engines (particularly Bukh) eat money and by today's standards are not good things even when working properly. Just for info a working, but not "reconditioned" Bukh 20 ready to drop in from Marine Enterprises marineenterprisesltd.co.uk is usually around £2-2500, properly stripped and checked around £3500-4000 plus £1-1500 labour and replacement of all the other things that you find knackered like exhaust, fuel lines, electrics etc.

So, minimum £3500 for another 40 year old engine, £5k for one known sound - or £8500 for a new Beta 25