New problem

solarman216 · 06-09-2014, 21:49

Seems like my time for problems, I have two Lister 1970s air cooled diesel gen sets, 3 cyl for main generation and a 2 cyl for standby, started the standby last week it ran up fine but as I started to check battery water it died with only a small whiff, thought air in the fuel, but after hitting the starter realised there was no compression, now two independent cylinders?? so thought cam shaft broke? remove oil filler cap and can see both valves going up and down, cam shaft is driven at front of engine so crank shaft cannot be broke as I can turn it on flywheel end, so question, how can both cyls lose compression at the same time about a minute after start up? have not had time to pull it apart yet to find out, maybe time tomorrow, but interested in theories, Rick

rustic · 06-09-2014, 21:53

I assume two independent cylinders means that they don't share a common cylinder head then.
Otherwise it would look as though the gasket had blown between them.

Terranical · 06-09-2014, 21:56

Stuck rings?

exosteve · 06-09-2014, 22:02

If you can't fix it rick.I don't know anyone who can

solarman216 · 06-09-2014, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terranical

Stuck rings?

there is absolutely no hint of compression at all, it is, like there is a hole in both pistons, or the decompressors are down, which of course they are not, and yes Rustic completely separate cylinders and heads, I am miffed as I know every part of these engines, Rick

solarman216 · 06-09-2014, 22:14

my best guess at this stage is that the cam shaft has broke and moved till it is out of sequence so that is why I can see the valves moving but no compression cos it is out of sync, starting handle on the cam shaft could prove it if I can find the handle, Rick

AlexD333 · 06-09-2014, 22:18

I would love to be able to help, but it would be like chucking a new born in the deep end of a pool

The only thing that sprung to mind was something a tech told me about old jag engines loosing all compression so they filled all cylinders with some oil to bulk out rings or some suchthus restoring the compression

I think this might have been for petrol only though..

Paff · 06-09-2014, 22:40

How is it timed? Can that slip/go out?

solarman216 · 06-09-2014, 22:40

Thanks Alex yes it will work equally well for diesel but this was a very sudden failure while running with no knocks or bangs., so my money is on camshaft, but not a known weak point as far as I am aware, but good news is I have a spare, don't I always, Rick

06-09-2014, 21:49	#1
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,431	New problem Seems like my time for problems, I have two Lister 1970s air cooled diesel gen sets, 3 cyl for main generation and a 2 cyl for standby, started the standby last week it ran up fine but as I started to check battery water it died with only a small whiff, thought air in the fuel, but after hitting the starter realised there was no compression, now two independent cylinders?? so thought cam shaft broke? remove oil filler cap and can see both valves going up and down, cam shaft is driven at front of engine so crank shaft cannot be broke as I can turn it on flywheel end, so question, how can both cyls lose compression at the same time about a minute after start up? have not had time to pull it apart yet to find out, maybe time tomorrow, but interested in theories, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

06-09-2014, 21:53	#2
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	I assume two independent cylinders means that they don't share a common cylinder head then. Otherwise it would look as though the gasket had blown between them. __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.

06-09-2014, 22:14	#6
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,431	my best guess at this stage is that the cam shaft has broke and moved till it is out of sequence so that is why I can see the valves moving but no compression cos it is out of sync, starting handle on the cam shaft could prove it if I can find the handle, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

06-09-2014, 22:40	#9
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,431	Thanks Alex yes it will work equally well for diesel but this was a very sudden failure while running with no knocks or bangs., so my money is on camshaft, but not a known weak point as far as I am aware, but good news is I have a spare, don't I always, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

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06-09-2014, 21:56	#3
Terranical Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Resident in Bristol, Terrano in Spain Vehicle: 1994 Terrano 2.7TD SWB Posts: 1,398	Stuck rings?

06-09-2014, 22:02	#4
exosteve Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: stoke on trent Vehicle: 2001 2.7 td lwb terrano Posts: 2,740	If you can't fix it rick.I don't know anyone who can

06-09-2014, 22:18	#7
AlexD333 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Uk Vehicle: 2004 Terrano 2.7 TDI Posts: 7,847	I would love to be able to help, but it would be like chucking a new born in the deep end of a pool The only thing that sprung to mind was something a tech told me about old jag engines loosing all compression so they filled all cylinders with some oil to bulk out rings or some suchthus restoring the compression I think this might have been for petrol only though..

06-09-2014, 22:40	#8
Paff Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Just north of Ipswich, Suffolk Vehicle: Terrano II 2.7 SE+ Auto Posts: 1,094	How is it timed? Can that slip/go out?