volvo md2b smoking

[tritonofnor]

Helped a friend launch his westerly centaur today, Craned across the car park then onto the beach to wait for the tide.. Blowing a hooley, quite an exciting trip back to the mooring. The engine is an old MD2 which was smoking quite badly - mostly white smoke. Started fairly easily, but the water flow seems more like a fine spray than the occasional gush I am used to seeing. He has had a dodgy cylinder head replaced recently, and a new water strainer and sea cock added on the intake side. Should I be expecting to see more water? Bearing in mind that this engine is approaching its thirtieth birthday is the amount of smoke overly worrying? all help gratefully received!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Davolas]

Yes you should have visible water flow.

Our boat fitted with MD2B had similar poor flow when we bought it and lack of power from engine, water pump had been replaced etc, turned out to be due to blocked up cooling channels in the gearbox. The water goes around the gearbox cooling circuit in series with the engine if this is restricted due to corrosion , debris etc it will significantly reduce water flow.

n.b on ours the inlet was on the bottom of the gearbox and very difficult to get at.

Hope this helps

Steve

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[seaesta]

Is it smoke or steam?

White smoke is unburned fuel and means there is probably a problem with the injection system or compression in at least one cylinder.

More likley it is lack of water flow and hence steam. The Jabsco type water pumps wear out after many years of use and should be replaced.

I had this problem last season and sorted it with a replacement pump from Cleghorn Waring (http://www.cleghorn.co.uk/) - they gave good value and technical advice!

Martin

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Brian_B]

For white smoke after engine work I'd first check the oil level. If it's overfilled it may well smoke till the excess is burnt off.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tritonofnor]

Thanks guys. Starting with the easiest first then, it's oil level, water pump, and then gearbox! BTW had trouble finding neutral although all selector bars in correct position. Box would start in forward gear - although all pointed to neutral, until moved between forward and astern a few times, and then neutral magically appeared! Does this gearbox have a cone clutch of some description which could have stuck, or could it be related to our cooling difficulties?

<hr width=100% size=1>Marina skips - the greatest free resource centre!

 

[EUXINE_Rival]

Luckily we dont have your smoke problem but when starting up our engine staedily builds up the revs and as you throttle back it suddenly jumps into gear. There is a cone clutch which is held in contact by the drive from the prop. I've found that by adjusting the morse control and by engaging forward and reverse a few times before starting this is almost eliminated. Even better if I reach in to the gear control on top of the gearbox and make sure it is pushed aft slightly then no problem. Best of luck!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

Before buying a new pump consider replacing the cam in the pump-Keyparts of Watford supply them, I think. Much cheaper than a new pump.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Aja]

Check first the symptoms we got with the old MD2B that one cylinder was much hotter than the other - in our case the aft cylinder was the hotter.

On removing the rocker cover cover found that the lining on the cylinder head had been etched away by raw water coming from the cooling side and entering the cylinder.

Starting was OK from cold but much steam thereafter.

Not a good prognosis, I'm afraid.

Regards

Donald

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[nige9100]

i also have same sort of problem. Not really white smoke a little grey. Comes and goes after replacing injectors. does not seem to be burning oil and perfect water flow!!!!!! if i knock it down a bit after she starts smoking it goes away...any ideas

 

[Ben_e_Toe]

Nigel

I have exactly the same symptoms on a VP 2001. Perfect water flow, no oil consumption, but plenty of smell grey smoke on start up and low revs. Tends to clear when the engine is warm though...... Faulty injectors and un burnt fuel?