18 year old engine, never run yet

[NOMOFO]

I have a situation where I am completing one of those dream boats someone was building ( for 25 years ) but the poor guy had a stroke before he finished. Am about to try to start the engine and have concerns about gaskets, seals, gummed up crud, rusty crud, etc. The engine is a Lugger/ John Deere.

It turns over freely by hand.

So far I have filled the frehwater circuit with distilled water and pressurized it at 5 psi to see if water would pass into the crankcase. Did not. Water has some sediment so I will flush this system several times.

According to Lugger they may have put in some type of preservative in the fuel system. ??? Roosamaster inj. pump.

I suppose it would be wise to flush fuel sytem and oil.

Any tips on techniques and treatments would be greatly aprreciated.

Thanks, Bob

 

[dseabaugh]

Worst problem I have seen on engines that have sat for a long time is that condensation will runn down the connecting rods and rust the crankshaft. It will runj fine for a little while and the rust spots will gouge the rod bearings and Look under the valve cover for sigs of rust from condensation. If none you should be alright. Unless the fuel has evaporated you should not have any problems with gummed up injectors or anything. roosamaster is a simple reliable system. Just put in a little fuel treatment in your fisrt tank.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Several years ago, the old Ford place in Fort Valley, GA was sold sold and became a furniture store. The guys that bought the building were cleaning out the stuff left behind. In the attic were parts that dated back to the beginning of Fords being sold there. There were water pumps, generators, and other odds and ends. But the best were four crated Model A engines. They had never been run but sold very quickly. No, this is not an urban legend. I'm from there.



To answer your question, most diesel engines built years ago and crated for shipment were treated with Cosmoline. That's the preservative they use to protect from moisture and condensation. I believe, to get rid of it, you fill the crankcase with oil, run the engine, drain the oil, then refill. I would imagine this engine was shipped that way and if it has never been run, the stuff is still in there.

 

[keimmmo]

I have never tried to fire a diesel that has set for years, but I have with many gas motors. One common problem is that the cylinders are dry and they do not have enough compression to fire. I shoot a little motor oil in the cylinders of any motor I rebuild or that I am bringing out of long term storage. Expect major smoke for a couple of minutes, but it will soon clear.



Steve

 

[Stout]

The only thing I would add to Steve's suggestion is that after you introduce a lubricant into the cylinders crank it over by hand a few times before actually firing it up. I did this with a Model A engine (gas, obviously) that had been rebuilt but never run and then stored for years. Instead of motor oil I introduced diesel fuel into the cylinders and cranked it over by hand for a few revs before shooting the gasoline and spark to it. It smoked but ran OK.



Walt

 

[NOMOFO]

Thanks for the replies guys. Should be ready to attempt near mid week.

Bob

 

[Alan Reagan]

Let us know how it runs.



For a real word of encouragement... ...



I'm in the Coast Guard down in Savannah. Occasionally (two or three times a month) a shrimp boat will hole and sink. Those guys will refloat the boats using tractor inner tubes and other assorted methods and then beach them and make temporary hull repairs.



The real kicker is, after the temp repair is made and they are being towed back to their dock, they will drain the engine oil, change filters, get a temporary fuel source and the engine will be cranked up. They run it for a few minutes, shut it down and drain and replace the oil and filters again. Sometimes they are so efficient, the boat will arrive home under its own power. Diesel engines are tough.