Why does my Deisel engine smoke?

[mjkinch1]

I was catching up with some jobs around the boat last week, and spent a day cleaning all the back area (bathing platform etc) of what seemed to be like tiny greasy spots and a sort of very light smokey covering, which I guess is from the exhausts. This is probably the first time this year I have given it a good wash down, as I have to move the tender to get at everything, which is difficult when moored.

Anyway I watched the engines when we were out and at a steady 18Kn there is a very light smoke from the exhaust - looks more like steam in the sense it doesnt last long - not like a car streaming grey smoke with the smell of oil.

After a day out there is a very light coat of grey on the corners by the exhausts again - easy enough to wipe off, but I wondered if that sounds perfectly normal. The exhaust ports get pretty black inside, but again it wipes off fairly easy.

The engines have not needed the oil topping up this year since the service in March, and we have done about 50 hours so far (I think we are up to 500 hours in total).

Is this fairly normal - is the fact the exhausts on the fairline are just under the bathing platform, and the flybridge design sucks back the fumes that causes the film of dirt on the GRP? Would you all expect something similiar?

I guess I just want warning if the injectors may not be burning the fuel correctly, or I need to get some extra work done at the next service.

All advice welcome as always

Thanks

Martyn

 

[Whitelighter]

I don't know of the cause, but I do know of another Phantom 38 where the same happens. I think it is to do with the exhausts being on the water line directly under the swim platform.

 

[smileygirl]

Grey/white smoke is usually unburnt diesel
gets worse with age, usually having the injectors cleaned/replaced reduces it. However as most pleasure boats dont get that much regular use, the cylinder bores glaze a bit and you loose a bit of compression over time. Again nothing to worry about.

just take her out for a good blast as few times each summer and that usually reduces it.
all boat diesels smoke a bit unless brand new and used frequently
as long as smoke is faint and reduces as the engines warm up don't worry.

 

[smileygirl]

forgot - just make sure engine(s) is not using water from cooling system. Again a bit of lost water from header tank over months is nothing to worry about.

I used to get paranoid about boat engines but they are usually very tough albeit a bit smelly

 

[hlb]

You dont know how lucky you are, on holiday the other week, I scrubed the back end, three or four times. It was black a couple of days later. Mind, did do about 300 miles.

The soot is sucked on the the back of the boat for some reason.

A few doses of Soltron does keep it a bit cleaner and also gets rid of the bug.

Other than that, you have no problems at all.

 

[Kawasaki]

Yoh! Martynk, What make are the engines ,or have I missed something

 

[mjkinch1]

Thanks for that - I will try some Soltron, everyone seems to be positive about it.

Gives me a bit more confidence!

The engines are Volvo TAMD 63Ps and suck fuel like it is going out of fashion.

Kevina - I also get paranoid about engines - hence the post!

Thanks

Martyn

 

[RogerRat]

If your're not getting clouds of black smoke as you open up, I don't think you need to worry. The build up smudgy black round the transoms is very normal for all diesels and it's worse with a following wind or at low speeds, i.e. Less than 20 knots... I haven't seen one that doesn't yet.

BTW, don't go slow to save fuel you'll just take longer to get there and use the same amount anyway. That doesn't mean thrash the arse off it either, find a nice comforatable speed that the engines, boat and you enjoy!

And don't worry, they're Volvos' /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Kawasaki]

Yep Mart as per Rog thats about it for Green TAM boreens!

 

[c_j]

What you describe is absolutely normal and what you see is steam from the submerged exhaust. The coating of soot on the lower part of the transom is also normal and probably varies depending on speed, wind direction etc.. What you dont want is black smoke or indeed any noticeable smoke as opposed to steam. The steam evaporates quickly I suggest. Tell me you dont have a ½ mile trail of grey smoke behind you?
/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

The injectors should be changed (exchange are cheap and good option) at 500 hours. Failure to do this can be expensive ommision as they start to drip fuel inside the engine and can cause problems, anyway properly working injectors will maximise your MPG.

 

[oldharry]

Absolutely normal. That deposit is why diesel vehicles in UK are taxed extra for running an ecologically 'dirty' fuel. The fact HMG make a fat profit too is purely coincidental .......

Injectors beginning to fail make the engine sound more 'clattery', and as they get worse start producing the most alarming knocking noises as though the big ends are failing. This is because as the spray pattern deteriorates the fuel burns less evenly in the combustion chamber, and can create 'hot spots' which may burn through the piston crown. They should of course have been replaced in the course of routine servicing long before they get to this stage.

 

[kds]

Perhaps your driving makes it nervous ?
Ken

 

[Nick_H]

We have TAM D73P and its exactly the same, a bit of steam behind us, and a gradual built up of soot on the back end.

 

[jfm]

Completely normal. We had 63Ps and they made slight smoke throughout the 500 running hrs we owned them, which combined with "estate car effect" meant the transom needed washing after every 150miles or so. The modern EVC engines are loads better, clean transom always, just some soot very close to exhaust outlets. I dont think Soltron will make any difference at all

 

[Scaramoosh]

Sounds normal to me. Our Phantom 38 used to do this and will again when the Port Turbo is sorted, its dropping about 3 - 4 psi over the starboard one so I am getting black smoke and a noticable lag on acceleration. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[smileygirl]

Can you explain more about what happens if injectors develop a bit of a drip. I think my injectors are the originals with @ 1000 hours. Port engine seems to use more fuel than starbd. Could it be related????

 

[hlb]

They get progresively more difficult to start.

There are many reason why one engine uses more fuel than tuther. Mostly to do with inaccurate rev counters and throttle cables being set a bit different.

 

[mjkinch1]

As we are due our next service in March at what will be about 520 hours, I will get the injectors replaced anyway (or exchanged) just to be on the safe side.

In answer to the question re smoke - no its more like steam and only lasts a couple of seconds after exting the exhaust. I would have thought as the engines warmed up this would go away (as it does on a car)..but they always start first time, no oil use as yet, so hopefully all OK.

Thanks everyone for the feedback, a useful thread anyway, as I am sure I am not the first to wonder about how much sooty stuff to expect.

Kind regards

Martyn

 

[hlb]

It is steam!! Your car dont have water in the exhaust, or not supposed to. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[JohnRob]

My flybridge with KAMD 300s has a filthy stern after a 60 mile trip. A real chore. The outlets are on the waterline under the platform. Oh yes, the dinghy gets filthy too. It seems its part of the deal!

ItS