Woe is me

[Geoff]

I don't want any sympathy but I am going to share my story with everyone.  My engine developed a problem.  It would smoke blue for 5 minutes after starting that smelled like diesel.  After 5 minutes the smoke would clear and the engine appeared to run smooth.  A 2-stroke Detroit should not smoke for more than one minute after starting.  I drove the bus this way for two 1800 mile trips to California and had raw fuel collecting on the back of the bus.

So, even though I have back problems that is going to require surgery, I was able to remove the exhaust manifolds and pinpoint the smoke to clyinder 1R.  The next step was a compression test.  I had only 375 psi with 450 the minimum for a turbo 92.  Next step was to determine if the loss of compression was from the valves or the piston.  I took the gauge off the compression tester and put 125 psi of air in the clyinder and no air came out the exhaust, so the problem is a damaged piston.

I ordered all the parts but that is as far as I can go.  I don't have the fortitude to pull the head because of my bad back and related pain.  It took me two weeks just to do what I described above because I can only work for a few minutes at a time.  Oh well, I'll just have to wait and it will be
months after my back surgery before I can do mechanic's work.

I hope what I wrote helps someone trouble shoot a similar engine problem some day.

--Geoff

[luvrbus]

What a bummer Geoff, if and when I get caught up I will come help you if you want

[John316]

That's a darn shame, Geoff. Here's to hoping your surgery fixes your back pain quickly, with a short smooth recovery.

[windtrader]

Really sorry to hear about you and the bus. Hope all goes well soon.

[Tikvah]

Sorry for your pain and your engine issue.  There's no pain like back pain and I'm impressed you did what you did.

I wanted to do a compression test, but it says to "remove spark plug and thread in tester".  I never got any further. 

[Geoff]

Ha!  Yes, you have to have the special dummy Detroit injector to do the compression test.

Anyway, thanks everybody for your kind words and offers of help.  Not having my bus available at  this time is inconvenient,  but I'll get by.  BTW, I didn't hurt myself doing mechanical work, I fell backwards trying to loosen up a rock in my backyard and landed on a shovel. 

--Geoff you

[Dave5Cs]

Sorry for your back problems and positive thoughts to you. Thank you for the good information on testing it all out....
Dave

[Lin]

Those rocks and shovels can be quite dangerous.  I think we have laws against them in California despite that efforts to the contrary by the NRA and NSA (National Rock Association and National Shovel Association).

[muldoonman]

Wish I was closer (Central Texas) or would be glad to help with the heavy lifting and wrenching.

[akroyaleagle]

Nice talking to you the other day.

I'd offer to do it for you but my back is probably worse than yours.

Mines been broken twice. Once in a skydiving accident in the Army and the last time in a helicopter crash. Eight vertebra that time.

I feel your pain.

I could maybe help in some other way, though. I'd be willing to try.

Where in Central Texas are you?

[Geoff]

I'll get it done. I just need stronger pain pills!  I have a V drive and the bad clyinder is on the inside with a complicated water outlet that holds both thermostats.  I have to pull the turbo to get my cherry picker in there to lift the head.  I might also have to pull the blower if I can't move the head to the right far enough to get at #1R clyinder and​ pull it.  This would have been a routine job before I hurt my back.

--Geoff

[Geoff]

Message to Clifford

Cliff--​ I think I remember reading that you don't like working on V-drives, and you find it easier to pull the engine cradle completely out to do major engine work.  This is sounding like something I should do instead of fixing my engine in place.  I don't think it is only a two hour job to pull the cradle, but it sure is easier than working in a fetal position through the rear engine access hatch.

--Geoff

[edvanland]

Seems like I remember you telling us you fell off a ladder or scuffling when you were building that windmill. Well as long as you can get to your fridge you will be ok. Sorry to hear the latest we are thinking of you. Get well fast.
Ed & Janet

[luvrbus]

When you get older seems like you are accident looking for a place to happen  I get so banged up lately it not funny.I walked into a 4106 tail gate today I knew was there for days

[Scott & Heather]

He's in Prescott AZ according to his profile page. Sorry to hear this Geoff. I swear these buses break down at the worst possible times. Mine never once broke down on the beach in the Florida keys in the middle of winter. I can wish tho.


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