Thanks for the replies they are all helpful.
I had a
mechanic look at the engine last week and he has identified that the centre cylinder is week.
Not pulling its fair share of the load.
When running at high idle we cracked the injectors on at a time and the first and third cylinder significantly slowed the revs but the centre one didn't.
A smaller effect than the others.
Mechanic says this would explain why the vibration only shows up under load.
2 foot seas or more,
head wind and three quarters revs.
He is suggesting either re build this engine or replace.
Ow. That hurts financially.
I am surprised as I thought the engine is low in hours and as its maintained in a
charter fleet it has been well maintained.
Regular
oil changes etc.
I thought that
diesel engines ran for ever if well looked after.
He has checked the shaft alignment and the transmission plate connection.
I have not been able to get it to vibrate at the
dock or just outside in the bay to show the mechanic.
I am taking the
boat out for a few days and the mechanic told me to crack the injectors one at a time as we did at the
dock if the vibration occurs again under load.
I will try that.
I have asked the mechanic to do a
compression test to prove the centre cylinder is weak.
He says this is time consuming.
Is it worth it?
If his analysis is correct whats the best solution here.
Re build or replace the engine?