Sandpiper (the Centaur) lives again!

[Deleted]

On Saturday we moved Sandpiper to the other end of the pontoon to visit the water tap. Now for most people, that might not be very exiting!, but seeing as the last time we moved was back in March, and we came back in under tow and have had the engine in bits since, I call that a result!

After that first great adventure, we even ventured out into the bay and had a sail as well ...and came back to our berth safe and sound under our own steam!

That said, things are still not right - its pretty smoky, and obviously not really happy yet ..but IT IS GOING:)

I'm not yet confident enough to venture out into the channel, but hopefully soon. Looking foreward to eventually joining some of you out there.

Cheers
Peter

[Viv]

I was not sure it was Sandpiper moving around the pontoons Well done I am very pleased for you both and it is something for you to look forward to .V .
PS That's fab news Peter. I saw Elaine on Sunday morning - she said you'd been out. S.

[ishtar]

Delighted for you Peter. Hope to see you out with us soon. I guess it's just best to take it a step at a time, eh?

[sandpiper]

Superb news Peter. What have you done to get it working?

[Deleted]

quick summary of work on the noisy beast under the cockpit:

- removed heads / exhaust manifold / all the other stuff in the way
- unseized with loads of penetrating oil, crowbars and much entirely necessary swearing.
- discovered some cooling channels blocked - poked them a bit with a screwdriver
- rebuilt - started with much difficulty - moments later water squirting out round head gasket! , no oil pressure and quickly overheating again ...argh!
- do it all over again, having spend ridiculous amount of money on new gasket set and leaned harder on the head nuts
- running! Wow, no leaks ..and oil pressure
Adjusted timing ( not sure I know what I'm doing) - sounds better though.
- still overheating - removed thermostat (even though it was opening and closing at correct temps?) - sorted
- still loads of smoke / exhaust has diesel / oil in it - not burning properly??

I'm suspecting faulty injectors at the moment - will probably take them out again and get them checked. Anybody here know how to do this / got the tools + gauge?

[sandpiper]

Can't help you with the injectors - would recommend you get these checked properly.

But I have got a oil pressure guage if you want to check it. Enough pressure to turn the light off is not necessarily enough to keep the engine running!

[paul]

Well done Peter. This is what sailing is really about (eh?). You can expect to be called on for all diesel engine repairs in the club from now on.