Engine stopped

davidpm · #1 (**permalink**) 08-15-2008

I wasn't on the boat at the time, which is unusual because I'm usually the cause of most of the problems. The way I hear it is the captain was pushing the engine a little, engine got a little hot, heard a buzzer then in a few seconds the engine stopped.
Next day he started the engine and it ran fine.
Yesterday I checked the oil looking for a milky foam or overfull and saw neither.
Antifreeze was up to level although it was pure antifreeze not 50/50.

The engine has always had a little white smoke for a few minutes after startup and some knocking that goes away after a few minutes.

I can think of several things that could cause the engine to seize but am reaching to find one that cause it seize but would explain it running fine the next two days.

HoneyDoII · #2 (**permalink**) 08-15-2008

I would start with the inlet thru hull; was it open, was it partially plugged ...what about the outlet, what about the heat exchanger - one that is partially plugged up may function fine at normal speeds but cause the engine to overheat when pushed...same for the inlet filter.

Rockter · #3 (**permalink**) 08-16-2008

That seems a very short time between hi-temp buzzer and stopping. Was it a few seconds, or was it longer? Do you trust the captain?
There should still be a water jacket present and it would have to be boiled off a fair bit before a hi-temp siezure would happen.

I am surprised it siezed so quickly if there was oil in it. It is puzzling.

It is common that a siezed motor will re-start after it cools.

Knocking would hint at piston slap and it would be loudest at idle and when cold. If it disappears as the motor heats up, then you will probably be ok for the present. Your pistons are expanding to take up the clearances somewhat.

Watch your oil consumption. I have seen a Volvo MD17C that used a pint of oil every 8 hours when the pistons were scored. Carry plenty and watch the level often.

philsboat · #4 (**permalink**) 08-16-2008

The antifreeze should not be 100%.It can gel when cold causing circulation problems.

cardiacpaul · #5 (**permalink**) 08-16-2008

David, it would help if you said what engine you have.

davidpm · #6 (**permalink**) 08-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardiacpaul

David, it would help if you said what engine you have.

Universal 25

cardiacpaul · #7 (**permalink**) 08-16-2008

diesel,

ok, white smoke is "water"

and LOL, sorry, define " a little hot" (thecubans son called me awhile back telling me his car was running a "a little hot", uh-from the sound coming thru the cell phone I could tell a rod was about to exit the block, he tells me the oil light has been on "a couple of days" and now, theres "a bunch of white smoke coming out of the hood" gotta love that boy)

unknown if its condensation burning off, or cooling water, or what....
"knocking"
diesels are built with loose(er) tolerences than gas motors, so they are a bit noiser on startup, but it should go away within seconds of firing off. Keep in mind there is a difference in the "sounds" the engine makes. A little clunk-clunk is ok, a sound like a hammer on the side of the block... isn't.

I don't think the engine "seized", did the cap'n try a restart right after it quit? if so, did the engine turn over but just not start, or did it do nothing.

Off hand, I'd say either a fuel supply problem (filter being the first in a long list), or electrical (does the buzzer/overheat have a shut-off/down somewhere in the system)
with fuel being primary cause.

davidpm · #8 (**permalink**) 08-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardiacpaul

diesel,

I don't think the engine "seized", did the cap'n try a restart right after it quit? if so, did the engine turn over but just not start, or did it do nothing.

Off hand, I'd say either a fuel supply problem (filter being the first in a long list), or electrical (does the buzzer/overheat have a shut-off/down somewhere in the system)
with fuel being primary cause.

Thanks yes that makes sense. I'll bet things were a little rough at the time.
And I know the boat has a host of electrical problems. A lot of stuff doesn't work and we found lamp cord wire in the boat. The PO was innovative with electrical repairs.

davidpm · #9 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008

As a followup a mechanic replaced the raw water pickup hose. Said it had no wire in it and was collapsing.

Boasun · #10 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpm

As a followup a mechanic replaced the raw water pickup hose. Said it had no wire in it and was collapsing.

And a bit of a plastic sandwich bag held by suction to the intake strainer could have caused that hose to collapse. Then when the engine stopped the plastic drifted away to be a hazard for someone else.