Turbo query

[emjay]

Hi foks,

Hope you all had a great Chrissy and are looking forward to Excel!

I'm bringing my boat back to the Thames this year and will then look to change her at some time in the not-too-distant future. I want something that will be equally at home on the river or the bumpy stuff. the boat I'm considering has a turbo diesel. Is it ok to use a turbo diesel on waterways where speed is limited? I have a feeling that I've heard something about this but can't remember exactly what. help please?

Mike. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[leomagill]

As long as the boat can go slow enough it doesn't matter, if it isn't revving hard the turbo isn't realy spinning anyway.
I would guess a turbo'd smaller engine is better for slow work than a bigger non-turbo'd engine of the same power as it will work harder at the lower speeds.
If the turbo isn't boosting the pump won't be putting the extra fuel through the system so will be more economic.
High power diesel engines tend to smoke like hell when used on inland waterways as the bores glaze up to to lack of workload.
Go fo it.

 

[Chris_d]

The theory is that the bores will glaze because there is no load on the engine, also when running with no load the engine overfuels and produces lots of smoke and soot. The soot can clog up the turbo which will be sitting there doing nothing.

In practice though don't worry about it, you will have to cruise for years at 4-5knts before the damage will be bad enough to worry about, there are 1000's of turbo diesel boats on the Thames and although some of the older ones are a bit smokey they still go back to sea with no ill-effects. Biggest problem for boats on the river is sediment settling in the fuel tanks, that gets stirred up and blocks the filters when going to sea.

 

[Divemaster1]

Would not worry about this ... unless it is an older two stroke Detroit Diesel ... they do not like running wothout load ...

 

[emjay]

Thanks for the help guys. Looks like I'll have to start thinkin' about spending all that hard earned cash...... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Anyone goin' to the boat show?

Mike

 

[Latestarter1]

Mike,

Have no concerns if you are buying a modern turbocharged diesel engine no smoke under any conditions, it is only 'geriatric' motors that are affilcted.