My Universal 5444 refused to start after a 3 summer lay up.
The injectors were bad so I have had the injectors rebuilt. Still no go. She even refused ether, when the local mechanic tried. Not even a torch warmed things up enough to get her started.
I did a compression test, which read poor, but the engine never started to get it warmed up before the test. How accurate would the readings be? I removed the head and found a couple bad valves, but nothing terrible. I have taken care of leaking valves.
The exhaust was OK at first, but plugged as we tried to start it. This has been fixed.
I don't want to take things apart to remove the engine if not necessary, but if rebuilding is required, so be it. Is there a way to know if the rings are good? The sleeves show very little ring wear, and I poured ATF in the cylinders to check for leaking. I couldn't see any lowering after 5 hours. I came back in 24 hours, and the level did lower, and it is lowering more in the cylinders that tested poorest. Is that bad? It seems like a long time to leak down so little.
Is my problem that each part was a little worn, but added together stopped my engine?
I would hate to install the parts now only to take it apart in a year, or two.
My boat is named Mixed Blessing, and I am not seeing the blessing right now, lol. Can anyone help?
need more input please, when it turned over did it puff out any smoke ,if so what colour
sounds like no fuel,might be worth connecting up the injectors and turn the engine over to see if you have a good spray patten,did you happen to try a lighted rag held over the intake this will start most diesel engines
if you already have the head off and the compression is poor now might be the time to change the rings anyhow
Never see any smoke because I was in the locker. The engine did blow back through the air intake a couple of different times.
We did connect the injectors, and found bad patterns. Two injectors wouldn't stop dripping. All have been overhauled.
We didn't use a lighted rag, but instead the mechanic directed the flame of a propane torch into the air intake. He said it would start most difficult engines, but nothing.
I am leaning towards doing the bottom end work, necessary or not, just for piece of mind. As you said I am already part way there, and I would hate to put it together only to be back at it in a couple years.
sounds like you have an ok mechanic ,the propane torch should have worked that is why im still not happy with the fuel side,might be worth reconecting the injectors and watching the pressure and spray patten ,if you do go for a rebuild might be a good idear to have the injector pump serviced as well
That is my thinking also. While she is out makes the best time to have it all done, and hopefully have many years of no trouble, lol. I realize I said no trouble when talking about an older boat. Good thing we love them.
Well the 5444 is purring once more. Yahoo!!!!! ;D ;D
She had 3 bad valves, very poor compression, and 4 bad injectors. She wouldn't start no matter how much I tried.
I had her sleeved and bored at a machine shop. I installed new pistons and rings, new complete head with valves and springs, new injector pump, and rebuilt injectors.
When I started her she ran rough, won't throttle up, and bellowed black smoke. My heart sank, what now? As it turns out it was a partly plugged exhaust riser. Now all I have to do is find a replacement, or build one. It looks as if she will make the water this season.
I found lots of help in the words posted on this site. Keep up the good work.
FWIW,
I just helped my uncle commission his Irwin 37CC after 4 years on the hard. The engine would crank over 1-2 turns then would be unable to go further. We thought it was electrical. As it turned out an inner wall of the rubber exhaust hose delaminated (likely due to overheating from lack of water flow) and was blocking exhaust flow. Engines won't run if they can't breathe...
Mike
S/V Boracay Star P367 Cutter