Blue Smoke

TOM · 18-06-2009, 17:52

Our 60hp BMC has been blowing a bit of blue smoke and uses a bit of oil but otherwise runs well,starts first time so compression is good.The mechanic has told us that it will last long enough to get us around the world approx 4 years but recommended that we get the injectors serviced which have not been done since rebuild 2600 hrs.
Mechanic just called to say that under testing 2 of the 4 injectors are not delivering the correct fuel at revs and that there has been evidence of some water in the system at some time.By replacing the nozzles he thinks that it may stop some of the smoke and improve overall performance.
The mechanic comes highly recomended and seems like a nice guy but iam a bit out of my depth here .Can any one tell me if they had similar problem with smoke and what you did.I do not want to take the motor out to have the rings done and the mechanic says it is not neccesary.
Guess the question iam asking is could the motor last another 4 years say 1600 hours.?

Chief Engineer · 18-06-2009, 20:16

Blue smoke is oil.

I don't think injectors will cure that.

It is possible that too much unburned diesel could have washed th cylinder walls.

Don't assume compression is good because engine starts.

Have a compression test/leakdown test done.

BlueWaterSail · 19-06-2009, 02:16

Replace the 2 malfunctioning injectors and see if that helps. Do the compression test as Chief suggested. The key to longevity is proper maintenance - the fewer the uncertainties, the lower the risk of a failure.

BWS

Rhosyn Mor · 19-06-2009, 06:48

TOm,
the Perkins on Rhosyn Mor has essentially the same problem, engine is running sweetly, starts first time every time. but a fair bit of blue smoke coming out of the exhaust. I replaced the injectors.I have had a couple of people look at it, and the general consesus is; there might be water/oil in some of the hoses, and its probably time for a valve job. THe mechanic said that as long as the motor has clean oil , clean fuel and clean air he would recommend not messing about with it too much, it is running very nicely other than the smoke.

Cheechako · 19-06-2009, 07:42

I had a perkins that made no smoke. I had the injectors replaced and then the engine smoked for quite a while, more whitish smoke though, but seemed a little blue. How confident are you that it is really blue smoke?

Chief Engineer · 19-06-2009, 09:05

The other thing you can do is cup your hand...pass it thru the exhaust and sniff.

There is a distinct difference between oil, diesel and antifreeze smoke Blue/Black/White

speciald@ocens. · 19-06-2009, 11:06

Sounds like rings are leaking. Check compression.

Robertcateran · 20-06-2009, 04:29

Sounds to me like a bit of a glazed bore. Fix the injectors and drive it hard for a while and see how it comes out,
regards,
Robert

TOM · 20-06-2009, 22:27

Thanks for all your replies .Pretty sure it is glazing as engine is using a bit of oil. I have not been running it over 2000rpm so when the injectors come back i will run it a bit harder perhaps it may clear up a bit.

GordMay · 25-06-2009, 06:08

See also a very old discussion:
“The Smoking Gun “
Interpreting Diesel Exhaust Smoke:
➥ The Smoking Gun

18-06-2009, 17:52	#1
TOM Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: On our yacht Byamee Boat: Footloose 40 steel cutter Posts: 105 Images: 1	Blue Smoke Our 60hp BMC has been blowing a bit of blue smoke and uses a bit of oil but otherwise runs well,starts first time so compression is good.The mechanic has told us that it will last long enough to get us around the world approx 4 years but recommended that we get the injectors serviced which have not been done since rebuild 2600 hrs. Mechanic just called to say that under testing 2 of the 4 injectors are not delivering the correct fuel at revs and that there has been evidence of some water in the system at some time.By replacing the nozzles he thinks that it may stop some of the smoke and improve overall performance. The mechanic comes highly recomended and seems like a nice guy but iam a bit out of my depth here .Can any one tell me if they had similar problem with smoke and what you did.I do not want to take the motor out to have the rings done and the mechanic says it is not neccesary. Guess the question iam asking is could the motor last another 4 years say 1600 hours.?

25-06-2009, 06:08	#10
GordMay CF Adviser Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W Boat: C.L.O.D. (Cruiser Living On Dirt) Posts: 13,558 Images: 233	See also a very old discussion: “The Smoking Gun “ Interpreting Diesel Exhaust Smoke: ➥ The Smoking Gun __________________ Gord May ~~_/)_~~ (Gord & Maggie - s/v"Southbound") "If you didn't have time/$ to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?" Custom Search CF ➥ http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=01...%3A2lb6ozabif0

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18-06-2009, 20:16	#2
Chief Engineer Commercial Vendor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: North of Baltimore Boat: Ericson 27 & 18' Herrmann Catboat Posts: 2,444	Blue smoke is oil. I don't think injectors will cure that. It is possible that too much unburned diesel could have washed th cylinder walls. Don't assume compression is good because engine starts. Have a compression test/leakdown test done.

19-06-2009, 02:16	#3
BlueWaterSail Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Honolulu, HI Boat: 36' Magellan "Steady Beat" Posts: 122	Replace the 2 malfunctioning injectors and see if that helps. Do the compression test as Chief suggested. The key to longevity is proper maintenance - the fewer the uncertainties, the lower the risk of a failure. BWS

19-06-2009, 06:48	#4
Rhosyn Mor Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cruising Boat: Jeanneau 38 Gin Fizz- Rhosyn Mor Posts: 331	TOm, the Perkins on Rhosyn Mor has essentially the same problem, engine is running sweetly, starts first time every time. but a fair bit of blue smoke coming out of the exhaust. I replaced the injectors.I have had a couple of people look at it, and the general consesus is; there might be water/oil in some of the hoses, and its probably time for a valve job. THe mechanic said that as long as the motor has clean oil , clean fuel and clean air he would recommend not messing about with it too much, it is running very nicely other than the smoke.

19-06-2009, 07:42	#5
Cheechako Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Skagit City, WA Boat: Fellippi 32 Posts: 2,371	I had a perkins that made no smoke. I had the injectors replaced and then the engine smoked for quite a while, more whitish smoke though, but seemed a little blue. How confident are you that it is really blue smoke?

19-06-2009, 09:05	#6
Chief Engineer Commercial Vendor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: North of Baltimore Boat: Ericson 27 & 18' Herrmann Catboat Posts: 2,444	The other thing you can do is cup your hand...pass it thru the exhaust and sniff. There is a distinct difference between oil, diesel and antifreeze smoke Blue/Black/White

19-06-2009, 11:06	#7
speciald@ocens. Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: On the boat - Carib, Chesapeake Boat: 58 Taswell AS Posts: 501	Sounds like rings are leaking. Check compression.

20-06-2009, 04:29	#8
Robertcateran Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oz Boat: Jarcat 5, 5m, Mandy Posts: 419	Sounds to me like a bit of a glazed bore. Fix the injectors and drive it hard for a while and see how it comes out, regards, Robert

20-06-2009, 22:27	#9
TOM Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: On our yacht Byamee Boat: Footloose 40 steel cutter Posts: 105 Images: 1	Thanks for all your replies .Pretty sure it is glazing as engine is using a bit of oil. I have not been running it over 2000rpm so when the injectors come back i will run it a bit harder perhaps it may clear up a bit.