TAMD 60C - help and advice needed!

[Guest]

Help …someone must know the answer.

I own a 1984 Princess 38 fitted with a twin TAMD 60 C engines. Three weeks ago we were cruising at 20 knots, which is 2200 revs, when the port engine suddenly faded to around 1500 revs. With no load the engine will run at max revs (2800) but under load reaches 1500 and stays there; the final throttle movement does nothing. Starboard engine runs normally.
What have we done?
Checked the shaft and prop – clear.
The exhaust elbow was leaking fumes at a corroded connection to the turbo drive-replaced elbow. (£££)
Primary and secondary fuel filters are clear.
Air filter is clear (we ran the engine with the filter off to prove it)
The turbo spins freely and is undamaged
The local Volvo dealer identified the fuel pump as the culprit. The pump was removed and refurbished. (£££)
Injectors cleaned and re-calibrated. (£)
While refitting pump and injectors, small water leaks were discovered around two injectors. These were re- sleeved. (£)
While the heads(2x3cyl) were off the valves were re-cut and the head skimmed. (££)
New seals and gaskets all round. (££)

The engine now runs very well to max revs with no load, but still not more than 1500 under load! There is no significant smoke, black or white, above 1500, although the engine makes a little more smoke than usual at all revs.
What else can I do?

 

[longjohnsilver]

It certainly sounds like lack of fuel. Have you tried blowing back through the fuel line to check that it's not partially blocked. Sometimes I've heard of manufacturers putting a filter in the tank on the end of the fuel pick up pipe. Although you say that the pump has been refurbished they don't always get it right. One way of checking is to swap the fuel pumps over - time consuming but little cost.
Good luck - let us know how you get on.

 

[sonarbell]

Are you making any boost pressure? Check for leaks on inlet side, leaking aftercooler etc.

 

[hlb]

Pitty about all the cost.These things are usually simple problems but hard to find. Try the filter in the lift pump then throw it away. Else blow through all the pipes. Alt. could be air but that usually stops engines eventually but just a little, it might just cope with.

Haydn

 

[eddieperkins]

Could be a blocked fuel tank vent pipe or fitting ??
Eddie

 

[Guest]

TAMD 60C - Thank you-the solution.

Thank you Longjohnsilver, Sonarbell, Haydn and Eddie. You all pointed to fuel or air. We had looked at fuel comprehensively so we decided to attack air, starting with a new air filter - Hey Presto - problem solved. Clearly the filter was OK at light loads but did not allow free flow at max. load.
Lesson learned: If the exhaust blows and you run without noticing it, the first indication outside the engine room is revs fading to 1500 as the air filter becomes blocked with the soot from leaking exhaust gases. We have now changed both filters (££).
Being a positive character....the port engine has now been thoroughly refurbished and my confidence in it has been raised. We have had training in the maintenance of the TAMD 60 C and we are ready to do the startboard engine!!

 

[Guest]

Re: TAMD 60C - Thank you-the solution.

Damn you fixed it and I was going to make you a ludicrously sensible low offer to buy it off you.

 

[Guest]

Re: TAMD 60C - Your offer

Colin
Hang about - I still have to raise a mortgage to pay the bills!