Trouble with Yanmar model YSB-8

[Lew Rubin]

Hi to Cape Dory sailors of both genders:
I have a 1977 CD-27 (hull #54) with a slightly underpowered Yanmar 8 hp diesel-she sails beautifully and I've kind of learned how to live with the diesel's characteristics. I've had her for 2 sailing seasons (June to Sept) and never had any problems. About 1 week ago the diesel became difficult to start and when it finally caught it was rough idle until it got to "speed". I also started exhausting grey/black smoke along with the cooling water. Yesterday, the sump (under the engine and over the bilge) had a significant amount of black oil in it-I couldn't really tell where it was coming from but possibly/hopefully it was being blown out from somewhere rather than leaking from a seal. The oil on the dipstick was also BLACK (I changed the oil but haven't tried to restart-until I hear from one of you). I think I've been remiss in that I've never changed any filters or the water pump impeller in the time I've had the boat. I've only changed the oil, the prop zinc and flushed with anti-freeze for winter storage. Is this enough information for a diagnosis. I would be extremely grateful if someone could point me in the right direction. I'm on Nantucket and there aren't a lot of sailboat repair people here-mainly power boaters with large outboards.
Thanks very much.
Lew Rubin
PS: Any tips on where to get a repair manual for this version of Yanmar? It's one of the early ones.



lew_rubin@hotmail.com

[Bob Marsh]

Lew

I have hull #51 with the original engine (same as yours) and I got manuals from Mastry Engine Center 1-800-545-4574 in St Petersburg FL (Parts breakdown) and Yanmar Diesel America, 901 Corporate Grove Drive, Buffalo Grove IL 60089 (Service). I've been sailing Aquanell for 2 1/2 yrs and have not had any trouble. One thing I do know is, that after an oil change and one run, black oil is normal on this little engine.

Good luck
Bob Marsh
Aquanell
CD27#51
Dunedin FL

Hi to Cape Dory sailors of both genders:
I have a 1977 CD-27 (hull #54) with a slightly underpowered Yanmar 8 hp diesel-she sails beautifully and I've kind of learned how to live with the diesel's characteristics. I've had her for 2 sailing seasons (June to Sept) and never had any problems. About 1 week ago the diesel became difficult to start and when it finally caught it was rough idle until it got to "speed". I also started exhausting grey/black smoke along with the cooling water. Yesterday, the sump (under the engine and over the bilge) had a significant amount of black oil in it-I couldn't really tell where it was coming from but possibly/hopefully it was being blown out from somewhere rather than leaking from a seal. The oil on the dipstick was also BLACK (I changed the oil but haven't tried to restart-until I hear from one of you). I think I've been remiss in that I've never changed any filters or the water pump impeller in the time I've had the boat. I've only changed the oil, the prop zinc and flushed with anti-freeze for winter storage. Is this enough information for a diagnosis. I would be extremely grateful if someone could point me in the right direction. I'm on Nantucket and there aren't a lot of sailboat repair people here-mainly power boaters with large outboards.
Thanks very much.
Lew Rubin
PS: Any tips on where to get a repair manual for this version of Yanmar? It's one of the early ones.

bobcmarsh@earthlink.net

[Duncan Maio]

Lew:

I believe the sources in Bob's post, or Oldport Marine in Newport, RI, can get you a manual.

I had the problem with oil blowing out of the crankcase vent into the sump a couple of times, and found that I had overfilled the engine when changing the oil. Once the oil level got back to normal, the blowback stops.

New oil will turn black as soon as you start thinking about adding it to the crankcase - no worries there. the hard starting could be a fuel thing - try changing the filters (primary and secondary) and see if that works. There is no oil filter to change - just spin the "T" handle next to the dipstick every once in a while to clear the screen.

Duncan Maio
s/v Remedy
CD27 #37
Bristol, RI



mail@mysticmarine.net

[Warren Kaplan]

Hi to Cape Dory sailors of both genders:
I have a 1977 CD-27 (hull #54) with a slightly underpowered Yanmar 8 hp diesel-she sails beautifully and I've kind of learned how to live with the diesel's characteristics. I've had her for 2 sailing seasons (June to Sept) and never had any problems. About 1 week ago the diesel became difficult to start and when it finally caught it was rough idle until it got to "speed". I also started exhausting grey/black smoke along with the cooling water. Yesterday, the sump (under the engine and over the bilge) had a significant amount of black oil in it-I couldn't really tell where it was coming from but possibly/hopefully it was being blown out from somewhere rather than leaking from a seal. The oil on the dipstick was also BLACK (I changed the oil but haven't tried to restart-until I hear from one of you). I think I've been remiss in that I've never changed any filters or the water pump impeller in the time I've had the boat. I've only changed the oil, the prop zinc and flushed with anti-freeze for winter storage. Is this enough information for a diagnosis. I would be extremely grateful if someone could point me in the right direction. I'm on Nantucket and there aren't a lot of sailboat repair people here-mainly power boaters with large outboards.
Thanks very much.
Lew Rubin
PS: Any tips on where to get a repair manual for this version of Yanmar? It's one of the early ones.

Lew,
You might also want to take a look at the oil line and see if its corroded. I blew an oil line this year and when it was replaced the engine ran better than ever before. Even before the line blew, the corrosion may have interfered with oil delivery. So if the metal oil line looks corroded, try replacing it (you should anyway) and see if that helps. By the way, I have a YSM8 engine but yours is probably similar.

Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, NY



Setsail728@aol.com

[Rob Chapman]

I had similar starting and smoking symptoms a few years back on a YSB-8. I got a book from the library on Diesels and sleuthed the symptoms to a bad injector. Took the injector to a Diesel truck shop for a rebuild and it cured the problem.



CHAPMAN49682@YAHOO.COM

[Bob B]

Lew,
When I had a YSB-8 on my 27 it did the same thing that you are referring to. The initial problem with mine was that the engine was worn out from lack of maintenance and needed a rebuild. The problem was that I made matters worse by trying to start it over and over again while leaving the seacock to the water pump open. This caused a loading of water onto the cylinder head through the exhaust. The problems just got worse from here. There was mention a few weeks ago about starting you engine and if it doesn't turn over, make sure that you are not bringing water onto the cylinder heads. My engine had little compression and starting was always a problem. The rebuild was expensive but made the engine more reliable.

The mention about the injector is good also. I keep my fuel filters changed regularly to help prevent this and keep a spare injector aboard.

Hope you find a simple solution and that all works out well. I always feel better knowing that I have sails to back up the engine rather than the reverse.

Bob B.
CD25D Tiva
Charleston, SC



BundyR@aol.com

[Lew Rubin]

Hi Duncan:

Thanks for your comments-I haven't had a chance to get manuals but I'll try Oldport since it's lots closer than Bob's source. Also, I like the idea of changing the filters-can you tell me where I would find them (primary and secondary)? Part of the reason I haven't changed filters is because I don't know where they are-also, after replacement do I need to "bleed" anything, as I've heard people mention?

Thanks.

Lew



lew_rubin@hotmail.com

[Robin Meigel]

When I change my Racor filter I fill the new element with diesel fuel before screwing it in. Then I run the engine for 15 minutes in the slip. Thus far I have not needed to bleed the fuel lines when changing the Racor filter.

I haven't changed the secondary (Yanmar part) filter yet (the one closest to the engine), but will saturate the new one in fuel first before putting it in. Has anyone done this with the secondary filters? Or should I not worry about it?