Go Back   Cruiser Log World Cruising & Sailing Forums > Cruising Forums > The Bosun's Locker > Engines | Propulsion | Generators
Cruiser Wiki Click Here to Login

Join Cruiser Log Today

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-20-2009, 12:58 PM   #1
Ensign
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2
Default

I noticed a discolouration of the water, an oily sheen from my generators. This is worrying me.

I've started researching online and there are equipment on the market that you can install in the wet exhaust system that will get rid of this. However, before I'd be interested in that expense, I'd like to make sure I've covered all the bases from a maintenance point of view. I was wondering if any one can give me some pointers regarding the possible causes of this as well as possibly discussung ways to remedy it.

Thank you.
__________________

__________________
johaneng is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-20-2009, 02:05 PM   #2
Admiral
 
JeanneP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,098
Default

Husband Peter gives these possibilities. *First, and easiest to check and fix - a blown oil cooler. *Common symptom is that your oil volume increases - i.e., check your dipstick, run generator, when it stops and cools, check dipstick again. *If the level is slightly higher than before, the oil cooler is your most likely culprit. *Easy to fix - buy a new one. *Further way to check, remove the oil cooler, plug up one side of the oil line through the cooler, attach an air pump to the other side of the oil line. *Immerse in a bucket of water and pump - if bubbles come out, that's the problem. *If that's it, you also have to get the water out of the engine.

Another possibility is a blown head gasket. *Or a cracked head. *

Each of them is serious enough that you should try to rule them out before working on just preventing oil from going overboard.
__________________

__________________
In 1986 we went cruising for a few years. After 20 years and 50+ countries and several oceans, we are STILL "cruising for a few years".

SY WATERMELON |
MV WATERMELON (New) | Cruiser's Dictionary, free ebook

= Cruiser's Dictionary, North America,
JeanneP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-20-2009, 05:49 PM   #3
Ensign
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2
Default

[QUOTE=name='JeanneP' date='Jun 20 2009, 10:35 AM' post='33963']

Husband Peter gives these possibilities...

Thanks for the reply.The matter is not that serious. It's more of a general problem that you notice at every dock from most yachts generators. A lights sheen, almost like it can be fuel in the exhaust discharge...I was thinking along the lines fo pulling the injectors for inspection and checking valve/ tappet clearances. Am I thinking correctly?
__________________
johaneng is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2010, 11:36 PM   #4
Ensign
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 39
Default

Yes, you are on the right track, as the other suggestions, always do the cheapest, most likely items first, and injectors are right up there for poor combustion leading to oily sheen. If you have good injectors, next item to check is the delivery valve(s) of the injection pump. Another item for poor combustion common in gen sets is running at low loads, and long runs at low loads (under 70-80%, so 34 amps on a 6kw gen set rated at 40 amps) because you make carbon that builds up in the exhaust ports, restricting air flow, making the mixture fuel rich therefor oil sheen. Pulling and cleaning the exhaust manifold (and avoiding low load running) is also an easy check to solve the sheen.

best of luck!
__________________
Louiesails is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Bellingham Marine Qldcruiser General Cruising Forum 2 09-08-2010 10:08 PM
Wind Generators - Recommendations Wanted. Trim50 Power & Electronics 8 11-29-2008 09:17 PM
Kiss Wind Generators CruiserDave Power & Electronics 4 10-29-2008 11:47 PM
Marine D I Y Tips Lighthouse Repairs & Maintenance 1 03-05-2008 05:28 PM
Water Makers/generators lloyd Other Equipment 8 03-09-2007 09:03 PM

Our Communities

Our communities encompass many different hobbies and interests, but each one is built on friendly, intelligent membership.

» More about our Communities

Automotive Communities

Our Automotive communities encompass many different makes and models. From U.S. domestics to European Saloons.

» More about our Automotive Communities

RV & Travel Trailer Communities

Our RV & Travel Trailer sites encompasses virtually all types of Recreational Vehicles, from brand-specific to general RV communities.

» More about our RV Communities

Marine Communities

Our Marine websites focus on Cruising and Sailing Vessels, including forums and the largest cruising Wiki project on the web today.

» More about our Marine Communities


All times are GMT. The time now is 03:29 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
×