VP2020 Engine Issue

[Pompette]

I moved my boat from Eastbourne to Brighton the other day, initially motor sailing for about 2/3 hours but due to an increase in wind was able to purely sail for the last hour or so meaning the engine was off. The engine started fine when I arrived at Brighton but wouldn't re-start after I turned it off for a short wait for the inner lock to be opened.

On the trip over the engine was running at a maximum of 3000rpm and I had no issues. It started without any hesitation when I arrived at Brighton. The engine turned over fine when I tried restarting it but just wouldn't fire up.

Couple of things I noticed. Just before I turned the engine off for the short wait, the cooling water was coming out in a constant stream, whereas normally it "spurts" out which it's always done. Other worrying one is that there seemed to be oil on the outside of the engine which I'm certain has been blown out of the foam air filter as this felt very oily.

Any ideas what the starting problem could be and why? It is due to be looked at by a marine engine company but I'm trying to get an idea of how big a bill I might be getting!?

 

[Stemar]

I hope I'm wrong, but oil in the air filter sounds as though it might be coming from the breather, and the only way I can think of for this to happen is excess crankcase pressure. If that pressure's also getting into the fresh water cooling, it may be forcing the water into the raw water part via the heat exchanger. A blown head gasket could cause both symptoms.

How's the coolant level? Any oil there?

 

[Pompette]

I hope I'm wrong, but oil in the air filter sounds as though it might be coming from the breather, and the only way I can think of for this to happen is excess crankcase pressure. If that pressure's also getting into the fresh water cooling, it may be forcing the water into the raw water part via the heat exchanger. A blown head gasket could cause both symptoms.

How's the coolant level? Any oil In there?


unfortunately since this happened, I've been working night shifts so haven't been able to do any further checks and am still waiting to hear from the guys who are checking the engine for me.

I had a horrible feeling this could be something drastic ?