Water in the cylinder

mikey19625 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-30-2012

I have a 4eoz Kohler Genset with a Farymann Diesel 18W engine. I just overhauled the engine with a new head, cylinder, all new gaskets and orings. The engine starts and runs for about 40 minutes until i shut it down. When i restarted it ran for about 3 minutes and it shut down it self. I pulled the injector out and the top of the piston was full of water. This has happened twice after reassembling the engine. i checked the compression and it's excellent. Any ideas or past experience?

Hartley18 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-31-2012

Blocked exhaust siphon breaker?

mm2187 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-31-2012

I am guessing it is a raw water cooled engine.. Did you remove the pistons and cleanthe cylinders to get all the water salt and all the other junk out? Do you have water coming out of the exhaust as if it were normally functioning? When putting the gaskets in did you torque all screws back to specification. you could easily overtorque and ruine the gaskets causing a leak.

mikey19625 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-31-2012

it is a raw water cooled engine. Water is coming out of the exhaust as it normally does. The cylinder is new with new rings. cleaned everything and torqued to specifications with a new head gasket every time i've taken it apart. i haven't inspected the Siphon Break (Reed Valve) for blockages (i hope that's what Hartley18 was referring to) or the exhaust manifold mixing elbow. i will soon. Any other ideas?

Faster · #5 (**permalink**) 01-31-2012

If the engine always started promptly it's unlikely that the exhaust cooling water is getting back into the engine - esp if the engine was running and shut down due to water intrusion.

Sounds more like a cracked water jacket or, despite best efforts, a leaking head gasket (or a slightly 'wrong' one??) Disclaimer: not familiar with that particular engine..

klem · #6 (**permalink**) 01-31-2012

Is it raw water cooled? If not, taste the water (but don't drink it, that would be gross).

mikey19625 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-31-2012

It is a raw water cooled engine.

mm2187 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-31-2012

I agree with Faster... the engine would not start up if the cylinder was filled with water. I would also check the color of the oil to see if it has turned gray (which would be another location where the water has leaked).

mikey19625 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-31-2012

this sympton has happended twice. after the first time I removed the head and the cylinder, cleaned everything and replaced the head gasket and o-rings. I torqued to specifications and it started right back. it ran for 40 minutes til I shut it down. Moments later I started it again without any problems and it ran for approximately 2 minutes, when it shut down itself. I removed the injector and there was water again. By the opinion of other people thu far it points to the Siphon Breaker being blocked. I'll ck it tonight.

Hartley18 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-31-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faster

If the engine always started promptly it's unlikely that the exhaust cooling water is getting back into the engine - esp if the engine was running and shut down due to water intrusion.

I don't think I've ever disagreed with anything Fast has posted before, but, having seen it happen myself, I will on this occasion.

If there's no evidence of water in the oil, check the Siphon Breaker.. yep, the Reed Valve thingy.