Coming back from Catalina this last Sunday, we were motoring for an hour or so until the wind came up, and we shut down our Universal diesel. We had motored to the island on Friday night, and the engine performed flawlessly.
When the wind completely died a little while later, and we fired the engine back up.
I looked back a few minutes later, and noticed clouds of white smoke coming from the exhaust. The engine water pump was pumping water, but there was a large amount of white smoke (or steam) along with the water (or exhaust). The temperature was elevated, too - about 160 degrees instead of our usual steady 135 degrees - which normally takes up to a half hour to obtain.
I immediately shut down the engine. We managed to sail in, to within about 100 feet from the slip, at which time we dropped the sails, re-started the engine (no smoke) and motored into the slip. I shut down the engine again.
I checked the oil, and there were no bubbles, evidence of water, milkiness, nothing - just plain black diesel oil. I haven't looked at the cooling system yet - it was dark by the time we made it in, and besides - I wouldn't know what to look for anyway.
My first thought was - head gasket. White smoke in the gasoline engines I have owned usually meant a blown head gasket... but, being a neophyte diesel boater, I am at a loss here. I thought I'd look to my fellow Ericson owners to see if anyone could come up with some possibilities, prior to calling in the Very Expensive Diesel Mechanics we have around here, most of whom seem to have previous employment as Washington lobbyists, Enron accountants or Michael Milken bond traders...
Any ideas, you guys?
The trip to Catalina was otherwise uneventful, probably the most relaxing and picturesque weekend I have had in years. I hope to get some photos posted to share this week.
Thanks all,
Dan Hayes
When the wind completely died a little while later, and we fired the engine back up.
I looked back a few minutes later, and noticed clouds of white smoke coming from the exhaust. The engine water pump was pumping water, but there was a large amount of white smoke (or steam) along with the water (or exhaust). The temperature was elevated, too - about 160 degrees instead of our usual steady 135 degrees - which normally takes up to a half hour to obtain.
I immediately shut down the engine. We managed to sail in, to within about 100 feet from the slip, at which time we dropped the sails, re-started the engine (no smoke) and motored into the slip. I shut down the engine again.
I checked the oil, and there were no bubbles, evidence of water, milkiness, nothing - just plain black diesel oil. I haven't looked at the cooling system yet - it was dark by the time we made it in, and besides - I wouldn't know what to look for anyway.
My first thought was - head gasket. White smoke in the gasoline engines I have owned usually meant a blown head gasket... but, being a neophyte diesel boater, I am at a loss here. I thought I'd look to my fellow Ericson owners to see if anyone could come up with some possibilities, prior to calling in the Very Expensive Diesel Mechanics we have around here, most of whom seem to have previous employment as Washington lobbyists, Enron accountants or Michael Milken bond traders...
Any ideas, you guys?
The trip to Catalina was otherwise uneventful, probably the most relaxing and picturesque weekend I have had in years. I hope to get some photos posted to share this week.
Thanks all,
Dan Hayes