[C320-list] Sudden blue smoke, Perkins M30

[P.F. Ross]

 Thanks all.

Agree that typical causes of burning oil (worn valve stems or piston rings)
would not seem to be in play since it all happened suddenly.  So as Mark,
Jeff, Dave and Steve opine it is most probably head gasket failure.

Jeff, also telling that you have had injectors and pump rebuilt but none of
your symptoms match mine.

I can't believe I did not catch this but as some of you mentioned, sweet
smell is typical of coolant leak.  I have had more than one car with a
leaky heater core so I know that drill.

And since I ran the engine less than 5 mins after the event, I do not
notice the milky oil or loss of coolant which I saw with my automobiles.

And Greg, thanks for your kind words (about me being a true sailor, up for
debate), but my low hours are mostly a function of sailing 20 years on a
lake where my marina was 10 minutes away from raising my sails.  The past 9
years we have been in SW FL and we motor 30 minutes to get to the Gulf
where we mostly day sail.  This is where most of our hours come from.  Not
that I am complaining....

While I could probably do a compression test, etc, I think I will have a
mechanic come look.  I will then consider doing the work myself based on
his assessment.  FWIW, I did remove and inspect the heat exchanger and
mixing elbow and replace the thermostat several years ago while
troubleshooting high operating temps (195 deg, has been this way for
years).  Still on my list is to change temp sensor that I just have not
gotten around to.

Our 320 is truly a "good old boat".  While we have looked at other boats
over the years, one reason why we keep her is the support we get from this
group.  Not kidding.  Many thanks!

Frank Ross
Beta Wave #206
Naples, FL



On Sun, Feb 18, 2024 at 10:15 AM Steve Weinstein via C320-list <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

>  Ditto on the blown head gasket.  All the indications are there in what
> you described.  Your mechanic should be able to figure that out very
> quickly.
> On other thing you should know about the Perkins Perama engines -- the
> heat exchanger and the exhaust manifold are one unit.  At least they were
> in my old Perama M20 in my former C270.  I believe when I researched it,
> the M30 uses essentially the same setup.  Over time, the hot exhaust gases
> can eat away the manifold and punch a hole into the heat exchanger portion
> of the unit.  That is a major PITA because those heat exchanger/manifold
> units are hard to find and very expensive.  Assuming that it's a head
> gasket, I'd still ask the mechanic to check the exhaust manifold while he
> has things apart to make sure that's not a problem, or on the verge of a
> problem as well.
> Steve Weinstein2000 C320 #722, Vega
>
>     On Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 08:03:38 AM EST, Dave Hupe via
> C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
>  I agree with other posts....especially with your comment about a sweet
> smell.  It likely is a blown head gasket. That should be evident with loss
> of coolant ( check if your level is low in the heat exchanger tank) and
> increase in your oil level and contamination (white/milky).
> Assuming this is the case, it is a fairly easy fix....not a major
> overhaul.
> Dave Hupe
> 1994  C320 #32
> Holland, MI
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
>
>   On Sat, Feb 17, 2024 at 1:10 PM, P.F. Ross via C320-list<
> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:  All,
>
> We had been motoring yesterday at our normal 2600 RPM for about an hour
> when suddenly the engine lost power, revs dropping down to 1800 or so.  At
> that same instant I noticed smoke from the exhaust like I had never seen
> before.  I throttled back, gave the admiral the wheel, went below, removed
> engine covers and checked everything.  All appeared normal.
>
> We were just about to enter a busy harbor, so not knowing what was going on
> I decided to shut the engine down and called for a tow.  We were about 10
> miles from home so decided to go back there.  Fortunately, winds were light
> and seas were flat.
>
> The week before I had changed both fuel filters and the fresh water
> impeller, preparing for a cruise.  Fuel tank was topped up with the same
> Shell brand terrestrial diesel I have used for the past 9 years.
>
> I have owned the boat since new (1994) and the engine has 550 hours, the
> majority of those accumulated since I moved the boat to SW FL in 2015.
> Regular oil, filter and coolant changes are known since I have done them
> all.
>
> Today at my dock, the engine starts and seems to run ok, but still belching
> clouds of what I would call blue smoke and is leaving a sheen on the
> water.  It also has a peculiar smell, perhaps somewhat sweet.
>
> So it seems like oil smoke, but for the life of me I cannot imagine what
> failure would cause sudden oil burning.  I suppose a fuel injector could
> suddenly malfunction (I have never messed with the injectors) but that
> would seem to be black smoke.
>
> I will try to find a diesel mechanic to come check it out next week but
> thought I would see if anyone on here had an idea of what may be going on.
>
> Thanks and regards,
>
> Frank Ross
> Beta Wave #206
> Naples, FL
>
>
>