Beeky replied: > 1) Compression change knobs - I never touch them. I think they have > been set to high compression since I took the boat. I could give 'em >a twiddle.
If they are set on 'high' compression then reducing them to low will make matters worse. Just *ensure* that they're set on high. It was just a thought as I couldn't remember what setting the JP ran for normal running. > 2) Air supply - will check if any of my old socks or crew's lingerie > have been sucked into the air intake. There is no filter. I have, indeed, had experience of a rag being sucked into a diesel car inlet tract with disastrous results for fuel economy, acceleration and black smoking so don't rule out the unlikely as impossible until you've checked. > 3) Tappets - I think there are some but they are un-fiddled with. > Lister's don't need such arty farty maintenance. But perhaps one or >two have come loose. Ah, that's what I feared. It is 'probable' that they won't need much attention but it's still worth checking. If, say, inlet valves have recessed then the clearances will have closed up, the valve timing will have altered and charge fill reduced, hence poor compression. So ensure the valve clearances are correct *before* you go to the hassle of compression tests. You do know the correct sequence and clearances for your antique lump, do you? (And the engine ;-))) > > 4) Compression tests - good idea. Make this the last test. From memory you'll have to do it after you've removed the injectors anyway as there isn't a glow-plug to unscrew to fit a compression tester. By that stage you should be able to decide whether the injectors need servicing so the effort of removing them probably won't have been in vain. Roger
