Yamnar PMX 6 or 8

mpmiller101

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Co Clare, Ireland
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Does anyone know how to tell these two engines apart? My Macwester 22 came with one of these which has, until very recently, been easy to start and and has run perfectly. The original engine had a fuel tank above and various metal protective covers which might have had a logo indicating whether it was a PMX 6 or 8, but mine has no obvious label.

I have the operators manual and the service manual which are common to both engines. The latter has beautiful parts diagrams showing all components (apart from the interior working of the dynastart). (By the way, if anyone wants a copy of the service manual send me a personal message and I can email the pdf file. I came across it accidentally on a Dutch website but have lost the address.)

The only difference I can find in the diagrams between the two engines is a difference in shape of the lower part (ie the side towards the engine) of the fuel injector. Based on this I think I may have a PMX 6. Does anyone know if this is absolutely diagnostic or is there another way to tell by external examination?

In the last few weeks the engine has become very difficult to start and also it won't idle at as low a speed as it used to. At low speed it tends to "search about" a little (ie not run at a steady speed) and is prone to cutting out. I've put in a new fuel filter and cleaned the tank, fuel lines, and the fuel injector and also adjusted the tappets. There was sludge in the tank indicating "the bug." On turning the engine by battery the injector give a nice conical well atomized spray of fuel, but on turning it by hand through the flywheel just a dribble comes out. The engine is still hard to start without using "Easy Start" spray but when running it now idles a little better but not as well as it used to. At higher speed it runs as it has always done and has plenty of power. The exhaust looks normal.

Is it possible that the fuel pump functions efficiently at high speed but is less efficient at low speeds. In the past when I've bled the fuel system I've done it by turning the flywheel by had and heard a distinct "bitz bitz" sound when the fuel got through the injector. This I can't hear now when turning by hand. Any suggestions?

My next step is to pull the fuel pump and see if there is any dirt or sticking parts.

Could carbon build up or a poorly seated valve be the cause of this problem? I want take off the head and lap the valves as it is well past the service interval. For this I need a head gasket - which brings me back to the original question - what engine do I have? (or, sacrilege, is it possible to reuse the same head gasket?)

Looking at the engine and the parts diagram I see no sign of any type of valve stem oil seal. Is this because of the horizontal cylinder or am I missing something?

I've been at this for days. The engine is awkward of access, my head is spinning with solvents and petrochemicals, I'm bumped, bruised, scraped, blackened and frustrated, and in order to use the Easy Start spray I have to push the starter button with my toe at full stretch.

Any help which saves me having to adopt these ridiculous unseamanlike postures will be most appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
Hi.I had the PMX8 in a small narrowboat-a very underpowered narrowboat.Never had any starting issues. I assume you use the decompressor so the dynostart can get some speed up? If the compression is good-normal performance once running is a reasonable guide-I think you must look at the injector pump and injector itself. Mine was transformed after I had these done by a good diesel firm. I found a tight exhaust valve once-no clearance. This did give symptons like yours. I replaced the valve as it had done a lot of hours and looked like it was pulling up into the seat,so reducing the clearance. It started OK but lost its idle and low speed regular"Bonk-Bonk-Bonk" sound. I know its a hassle but if you can get the unit out its so easy to work on. I did mine on a workmate with a home made larger top.When the gear band wore out I had it bored out round and lined with ferrodo brake lining material-it was much smoother after that. Good luck.
 
Thanks for the advice.

I think I'll pull the pump first and check for dirt, broken springs, poor seating of the ball valve etc. BTW, did you have any trouble getting the governor levers set up correctly again? The English translation in my operators manual on how to is a little bit quirky.

I'm still left with the problem of whether I have a 6 or an 8 hp so I can get the right head gasket before I start on the head. The cylinder head stuff all looks pretty straight forward all right - but its nice to hear from someone who has been through all this.

I've fallen deeply in love with this engine which has pushed me through so much wild contrary wind on the west coast of Ireland.
 
And after all that if its still giving problems I'll take the pump and injector to a good diesel engineer.

Fantastic idea about the brake band. I find now that when I have it set tight enough to ensure it doesn't slip the lever gets very stiff. I'll have a good think about your approach.
 
Thanks for the advice.

I think I'll pull the pump first and check for dirt, broken springs, poor seating of the ball valve etc. BTW, did you have any trouble getting the governor levers set up correctly again? The English translation in my operators manual on how to is a little bit quirky.

I'm still left with the problem of whether I have a 6 or an 8 hp so I can get the right head gasket before I start on the head. The cylinder head stuff all looks pretty straight forward all right - but its nice to hear from someone who has been through all this.

I've fallen deeply in love with this engine which has pushed me through so much wild contrary wind on the west coast of Ireland.

Hi,it was 30 odd years ago that I owned it. I also had the advantage of an ex collegue who was then working for the importer of Yanmar engines. He helped a lot. I dont recall any particular problem with assembly of the governor mechanism,but I am a mechanic.I think my freind mentioned to his boss what I had done to the gear band.He was not impressed-said I should have bought a new one! Good Luck.
 
Sorted engine model

Yipee - I now know for certain I have a PMX 6 - as the flywheel is 36 cm in diameter.

This is thanks to John Skewes of Cellar Marine in Cornwall. I'd come across his name before in posts relating to PMX's.

He has just supplied me with gearbox parts that I thought I would never get and helpful advice. He responds to emails which is important for someone based in Ireland.

I would recommended him for anyone dealing with PMX issues - credit where credit is due - he is as they say in Ireland, "a gentleman."
 
Does anyone know how to tell these two engines apart? My Macwester 22 came with one of these which has, until very recently, been easy to start and and has run perfectly. The original engine had a fuel tank above and various metal protective covers which might have had a logo indicating whether it was a PMX 6 or 8, but mine has no obvious label.

I have the operators manual and the service manual which are common to both engines. The latter has beautiful parts diagrams showing all components (apart from the interior working of the dynastart). (By the way, if anyone wants a copy of the service manual send me a personal message and I can email the pdf file. I came across it accidentally on a Dutch website but have lost the address.)

The only difference I can find in the diagrams between the two engines is a difference in shape of the lower part (ie the side towards the engine) of the fuel injector. Based on this I think I may have a PMX 6. Does anyone know if this is absolutely diagnostic or is there another way to tell by external examination?

In the last few weeks the engine has become very difficult to start and also it won't idle at as low a speed as it used to. At low speed it tends to "search about" a little (ie not run at a steady speed) and is prone to cutting out. I've put in a new fuel filter and cleaned the tank, fuel lines, and the fuel injector and also adjusted the tappets. There was sludge in the tank indicating "the bug." On turning the engine by battery the injector give a nice conical well atomized spray of fuel, but on turning it by hand through the flywheel just a dribble comes out. The engine is still hard to start without using "Easy Start" spray but when running it now idles a little better but not as well as it used to. At higher speed it runs as it has always done and has plenty of power. The exhaust looks normal.

Is it possible that the fuel pump functions efficiently at high speed but is less efficient at low speeds. In the past when I've bled the fuel system I've done it by turning the flywheel by had and heard a distinct "bitz bitz" sound when the fuel got through the injector. This I can't hear now when turning by hand. Any suggestions?

My next step is to pull the fuel pump and see if there is any dirt or sticking parts.

Could carbon build up or a poorly seated valve be the cause of this problem? I want take off the head and lap the valves as it is well past the service interval. For this I need a head gasket - which brings me back to the original question - what engine do I have? (or, sacrilege, is it possible to reuse the same head gasket?)

Looking at the engine and the parts diagram I see no sign of any type of valve stem oil seal. Is this because of the horizontal cylinder or am I missing something?

I've been at this for days. The engine is awkward of access, my head is spinning with solvents and petrochemicals, I'm bumped, bruised, scraped, blackened and frustrated, and in order to use the Easy Start spray I have to push the starter button with my toe at full stretch.

Any help which saves me having to adopt these ridiculous unseamanlike postures will be most appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Hi mpmiller101, I know this post was made a long time ago, but i recently bought a boat powerd by a Yanmar PMX 6. I can only find the parts manual for it but sadly i can't find the service manual anywhere. if you still have the PDF of the service manual i would be very happy if you could email me a copy.
 
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