VP 2003 - Are these characteristics indicators of a problem?

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RIBW

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Hi all,
I keep a spare 2003 as a source of known good spares and as a 'education aid' (I am much happier with MHz & mA than RPM & SAE).
When I ran the engine up yesterday, I noticed a couple of quirks and would be grateful to know if they indicate a problem:-

A. The air silencer (sometimes mistakenly identified as an air filter) ; When I put my hand across it I can feel a slight backwards puff of air during the engine cycle and also putting my hand fully across it does not seem to starve the (idling) engine of air.

B. Decompression Lever; With the lever in the decompression position, the engine is easy to rotate through two peaks of resistance but the third peak requires effort to overcome.

Any experts out there with views or am I just worry-warting?

TIA
Bob
 
The 'suck' from a diesel is extremely powerful to the point that it's dangerous to try and block the air inlet with a part of your body. However the air is clearly getting in somewhere else when you put your hand over the air inlet. It must be some reflected effect from the induction cycle that you feel?

Regarding the decompression. It's a while since I had the rocker cover off a 2003 Volvo engine so I can't remember how the lever is configured. It sounds as though it's only 'decompressing' two of the three cylinders. This is either how it's designed to work or faulty. Perhaps someone who currently owns one will be along to tell you which is the correct answer? Either answer could be correct as the purpose of decompressing levers is to allow easier starting. Starting the engine with a weak battery on one cylinder and then dropping the decompression lever to bring the other two into action might make sense.
 
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john_morris_uk said:
The 'suck' from a diesel is extremely powerful ........ It must be some reflected effect from the induction cycle that you feel?
Click to expand...
It was a very slight back pressure and wasn't at all smokey so I think you are right.


john_morris_uk said:
Regarding the decompression. ...... This is either how it's designed to work or faulty. ..... Starting the engine with a weak battery on one cylinder and then dropping the decompression lever to bring the other two into action might make sense.
Click to expand...

We did try to start the engine with a weak battery by opening the lever, spinning the engine and then closing the lever. It didn't work for us! You may be right 'tho.

Thanks for the thoughts
Bob
 
philip_stevens said:
VP2003 decompression lever positions. I took this photo while the engine was out for overhaul. The lever is in the compression position for the 3 cylinders.
Click to expand...

Philip,
Thanks for that. I haven't seen such a diagram before. It does raise some (rhetorical) questions.
Why open the compression half way (1) before attaching and swinging the starting handle (2 & 3), after which, the lever is fully opened (4)?
Then you remove the starting handle (5) and then close the lever (6)?
Have 3 &4 and 5 & 6 been labelled in reverse?

Its academic for my boat installation however as we have no starting handle and no access to the spigot anyway.

Thanks for the info
Bob
 
I think the idea is that you swing the engine decompressed, then when rotating, turn the lever to one cylinder to get it to fire, and once fired, put the lever over for all three cylinders.

I haven't/cannot try it on the handle, as I cannot get a handle onto the engine due to where it is installed! (Westerly Konsort Duo if you are familiar with that boat.)
 
philip_stevens said:
Westerly Konsort Duo if you are familiar with that boat.)
Click to expand...

We nearly bought one a few years ago even flew to Belfast to look at it. In the end bought an Eclipse33 (from the extreme south of Ireland that time). Looking for a boat was becoming more expensive than owning one! Is that your WKD in the Percuil?

philip_stevens said:
I think the idea is that you swing the engine decompressed, then when rotating, turn the lever to one cylinder to get it to fire, and once fired, put the lever over for all three cylinders.
Click to expand...

I suppose the key question is - does the decompression lever decompress all cylinders or one at a time as it is rotated.

Since I typed that, I have found an old posting of yours from 2009 which explains all - the only place I have ever seen this!

"I've just had our 2003 reconditioned, and if the decomp lever is in the vertical position, there is no compression on any cylinder, and therefore the engine can/will be stopped. If it is fully to the left/starboard, only one cylinder is in service - two are decompressed. Fully to the right/port, all cylinders are in service."

I shall try that tomorrow on the spare engine and certainly modify my operator manual!

Thanks Philip
Regards
Bob
 
Since I typed that, I have found an old posting of yours from 2009 which explains all - the only place I have ever seen this!
Click to expand...

That is what I call trawling! I had even forgotten about that post. Just shows how long ago it was that I had the 2003 top-end overhauled!! And still starts first time without cold start.

My Duo is off Mylor - but not on Mylors' gold plated moorings!!

As I said, this glazing problem. I usually run the engine when motoring or motor-sailing, at between 2300 and 2400. Top revs being about 3000.

For charging the batteries (3x110Ah) when at anchor for a long time - as I was at Green Bay, Bryher - I have a small generator for when the solar panel cannot keep up with the cool-box power drain. Before anyone comments, I only run this in the morning between 10 and 11.
 
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