Seized Piston Rings=bad compression....

Now, how did I know that it was going to be stefan_d to respond first?  Great to hear from you.  The mechanic did a cursory check on the valves and didn't really know what was causing the low compression.  They seemed fine so he did exactly what you described.  He poured varsol down the top end and it pretty much just went down to the bottom which meant the piston rings weren't sealing which pretty much eliminates any significant compression needed to ignite diesel.  I've also been in contact with the ex-owner and he had the very same experience eight years ago when he bought it and it took him three weeks until she fired which tells me that the rings have a tendency to get stuck in their grooves.  He claimed that he added a fuel additive which un-gunks and frees debris from the system and I'm hoping that this is just deja vu.  After that, he never had a problem getting her started.  As far as wear, the boat was never really used much and it was re-built once in 1991 (from 1976) and put on the hard in 1995 where she sat for three years.  Judging from the fact that they run these engines 24-7 for generators and in the fields in Europe for wells, I rather think that wear would not be a likely factor from what I know regarding the chronology above.  I'm hoping that the rings free themselves but the head mechanic said that it could take another week or so of trying Varsol or other penetrating solvents to get her free and then we'll pull the cylinder out and see what's ailing her. They said that it could cost at least $ 2000.00 with parts and labour (Anybody know what a kidney goes for on e-Bay these days?). I don't mind re-powering her but not this year as the boat was pretty much an unexpected purchase.  If I can get at least one season out the Farymann then I'll be very happy to look at switching powerplants next year but you never know.  Miracles do happen, after all.  Thanks for the response, Stefan.

José

p.s. any tips on used yanmar 1gm, Bukh or Beta Diesels which fit Tessa please alert me.  Thanks all.

Hi John,

The mechanic decided against doing a true diagnostic as he wanted to try this what I described above first.  Where can I get "Blaster" and how long do you have to leave it before trying again?  Thanks for your feedback.

José

Hi John,

Thanks for the piston rings vs. valves advice as well as the "Blaster" idea.  I think that I'll try putting in the fuel "anti-gunkadditive" in the gas tank as well as trying the "Blaster" for a few days and then I'll try that test that you were describing.  I'll keep you all posted on how she's doing.  Hopefully, she'll be coughing up some burnt diesel fumes sometime soon and I'll be sailing shortly thereafter.

José

Hey Shannon!

Thanks for helping out!  The good news is that no saltwater has seeped in the cylinder as the boat's only sailed on fresh water which thank god rules out that possibility but then again it's Lake Ontario so one never knows. ;-)  I'm still hoping that it's just seized from non-use, rust, gunk, etc.  and hopefully with the collective efforts of my mechanic and all your collective sage advice plus some super penetrating lubricants, we could awaken the Frankenstein from within the Farymann.

Best Regards,

José

p.s. I like your idea of sailing into the sunset, Shannon.  I think we all do.

Re: Farymann K34M starting.  In over 5 years of ownership and regular use, we have never had any problems starting the engine.  We have been fortunate to have the engine start everytime on the first go (except when I have forgotten to open the fuel supply valve at the tank ).   

BTW: I can also vouch for my experience with the folks at Entec West.  I have had great support and prompt service when ordering the occasional replacement part for the engine.

Dennis -

I had to laugh at your engine story... particularly the bit about leaking oil.  Varuna's 8hp Bukh engine is indeed a Ruggerini diesel too.  Although she starts instantly and runs flawlessly ( 4.5kn easy cruising speed with 2 blade prop and 5-5.5kn if pressed,) I was sad to discover an irritating oil leak around the throttle and engine-kill levers.  In 14 hrs of engine use thus far, she's leaked about 1/3 quart.... not intolerable, but I think I'll pull the engine to fix it before heading South this fall.  Sounds like you've got all bases covered as far as motive power goes.  Dink motors aren't to be laughed at.  Years ago when the Perkins 107 failed in our decrepit 42' S&S yawl, we pushed it through the 50 mile Dismal Swamp canal with the dinghy and it's 1 1/2hp British Seagull lashed alongside.

Could cooling water have got back up the exhaust and in the cylinder by a open valve? If it is a cracked engine block there will probably be water in the oil.