Engine synce weirdness...

[markrinker]

Experiencing intermittant starboard slow running, and an occasional port slow. These are actual slow running - not a sync gauge problem - the actual engine RPMs drop and sync gauge correctly reports the problem. It usually lasts 2-5 seconds, and then corrects itself. With engine sync OFF and using manual throttle control no slow running issues are observed, all the way to 2800 RPMs, although the throttle handles are not matched in their positions. To match RPMs the starboard handle is about a knobs distance more forward than the port handle...probably a variance in linkage adjustment?

Also observed is port side gauge problems when engines are properly sync'd up and otherwise running fine. Example: On a hour long cruise this weekend, RPMs were reading 2300 side to side, sync indicator happy in the middle, then port gauge (NOT the actual engine RPMs) will quickly climb to 2600, 2800, then drop suddenly back to 2200 with no true change in engine RPM or affect on a balanced syncronizer reading.

700 miles last summer these systems performed flawlessly and from the get-go this year the wierdness started. Starboard side exhaust manifold and throttle linkage was off over winter to do impellor replacement, but everything looks normal and back in place.

Q: Could the RPM cables from the crankshaft be siezing up for lack of grease? What type of grease should be used, and how much should I apply to the zercs at the crankshaft senders?


Any ideas or help appreciated I want to get this ironed out before a two week Great Lakes cruise coming up in August!

 

[Kon Tiki]

I can not speak directly to the sync issue, my sync has not worked since I owned the boat, still remains on my list.

Relative to the tach issue, I have the same issue, and see other posts about the tachs being no being of good quality. There are no tach cables, the system uses a magnetic sensor mounted at the flywheel of the engine. The sensor actually reads teeth on the flywheel and converts this to rpm. The CAT manual will show how to remove the sensor and clean it, basically metal particles become attached to this sensor over years.

My issue with the tachs is clearly age and water intrusion. If I have a rainy week, I can almost bet my gauges will not perform until they have a chance to dry out a little. In fact, I get a little fog on the inside of mind. As the summer wears on and I use the boat more, the gauges perform better, every year I check the pricing on the electronic tachs and say what if!

Hope this helps.

 

[Turtlesboat]

If you have the engines synced and the starboard drops rpms, then regains etc... then the clutch is probably slipping. I had to tighten mine up.

you can grab the manuals here.

http://www.glendinningprods.com/downloads.html

shows you how to test the governor rod to see if the clutch is slipping.

as for the tachs bouncing around, that's normal. Just get used to tapping on them until you replace them.

 

[fwebster]

If you have the engines synced and the starboard drops rpms, then regains etc... then the clutch is probably slipping. I had to tighten mine up.

you can grab the manuals here.

http://www.glendinningprods.com/downloads.html

shows you how to test the governor rod to see if the clutch is slipping.

as for the tachs bouncing around, that's normal. Just get used to tapping on them until you replace them.

The clutch Mike is referring to is in the Glendinning synchronizer box on your bulkhead. The synchronizer gets its rpm from a cable attached to the engine damper on the front of the engine (facing aft in the DA; forward in the DB) and is a completely separate system then the tachs and their rpm source. THat means Mark is probably dealing with 2 separate problems....bad tachs (join the Sea Ray/Teleflex tach club) and a synchronizer issue.

As far as the synchronizer cables, all you need is one shot of general chassis grease because all you are lubricating is the right angle gear set in the synchronizer sender. Also, if your cables were binding, you would have erratic rpms on the stbd engine only since you set the desired rpms with the port throttle.

 

[rondds]

Do diesel tachs have that little switch in the back that needs flipping every now and then to get rid of the jumpy needle?

 

[fwebster]

No Ron, they rely on senders which are really devices that either count flywheel teeth or sense the passage of a magnet embedded in the flywheel. Diesel tachs only care about revolutions and whether they are 4, 6, 8, 10 or more cylinders doesn't matter.

 

[markrinker]

Thanks, guys. Once again ClubSeaRay.com comes through in short order. I am sure adjusting the synchro clutch will return the unit to normal operation.

As for the tachs, I'll locate and clean the pickups with compressed air when I am in there next week shooting a couple shots of grease into the sync cable zercs.

The clutch Mike is referring to is in the Glendinning synchronizer box on your bulkhead. The synchronizer gets its rpm from a cable attached to the engine damper on the front of the engine (facing aft in the DA; forward in the DB) and is a completely separate system then the tachs and their rpm source. THat means Mark is probably dealing with 2 separate problems....bad tachs (join the Sea Ray/Teleflex tach club) and a synchronizer issue.

As far as the synchronizer cables, all you need is one shot of general chassis grease because all you are lubricating is the right angle gear set in the synchronizer sender. Also, if your cables were binding, you would have erratic rpms on the stbd engine only since you set the desired rpms with the port throttle.

 

[fwebster]

You have to remove the tach senders and their depth into the bell housing is set by how far in you thread them. Be sure you mark the senders before you remove them to know how deep to re-install them.

 

[markrinker]

Okay it appears that the sync weirdness was actually the RACORs restricting. Last summer, the worst algae growth was in the starboard tank, so it always pointed me to filters, first. This summer, they were more evenly loading up and when the port (master) goes slow...well then so does the starboard and its acts alot like a syncronization problem.

Lesson learned - but I appreciated the heads up on what needs adjustment on the sychronizer over time. That will probably happen, soon enough!!!

 

[The Bill Collector]

Okay it appears that the sync weirdness was actually the RACORs restricting. Last summer, the worst algae growth was in the starboard tank, so it always pointed me to filters, first. This summer, they were more evenly loading up and when the port (master) goes slow...well then so does the starboard and its acts alot like a syncronization problem.

Lesson learned - but I appreciated the heads up on what needs adjustment on the sychronizer over time. That will probably happen, soon enough!!!

That's was my issue....