Mitsubishi L3E engine noise

[richp999]

Thanks Muz and Mattir for the info so far

So... Took the no.2. spark plug out today, took it to the tester and it was just dribbling fuel all through the range. So took it to bits and whilst cleaning , what looked like a shard of metal, popped out the injector nozzle.. !!

Anyway not sure where it came from, maybe previously some dirt or other rubbish got in there somehow, anyway I think it was occasionally blocking the injector.

So cleaned it all out , set it up and swapped it with no.1. , which I took out, cleaned & checked and put back into 2.

It started fine, ran great and I thought I'd solved it.

Did a few more jobs that needed doing on it, and drained fuel to put some fresh diesel in.

Seems to start better now, but that noise came back !!!

So - I've checked and modified all valve clearances, the valves don't look broken and all looks ok.
I've check the injectors, swapped them over, so it can't really be them now. Although they are getting on a bit and I might buy a new set, i dont think thats the source of the noise...

So tomorrow i'll whip off the sump, and have a look at the bearing.

So to tell if its broken , apart from visually being in bits, i can check:


1) Discolouration
2) Thickness against the manual

Anything else to look for?

If it is gone, would the rod physically move , so would I be able to feel it loose before i disconnect the rod?

Or is it more of a wear that you wont notice until its running ?

cheers

[Mattir]

Took the injectors out today and will bring them to specialist. 55€ for cleaning and check is a reasonable price. The shop is just 25 min. drive away.

The injectors look all the same with black soot around the tip.

will report on the result.

happy troubleshooting

[Mattir]

The diesel guy tested the injectors and said that one of them leaks. It needs a new tip (or whatever it is called). The other 2 will be adjusted to match.

expect the bill to be around 250€. Not cheap, but most likely after this, the -15 will run like a newborn.

Will keep u guys informed.

[Muz]

1) Discolouration
2) Thickness against the manual

Anything else to look for?

If it is gone, would the rod physically move , so would I be able to feel it loose before i disconnect the rod?

Or is it more of a wear that you wont notice until its running ?

cheers

You will only be able to detect play in the bearing once it gets really bad, yours doesn't quite look at that stage, but if left unchecked it could go that way quickly. The problem here is that if you let it go too long it damages the crank as it will spin eliptically and then goes out of alignment ever so slightly. Sometimes you can get them re ground down, and fit thicker shells to take up the slack and all is good, but if its gone too far, it can get beyond what a re grind can fix, then its a new crank job and not cheap, last time it happened to me I just bought a new engine as volvo at that time wouldnt supply a crankshaft, and Diamond Diesels, the L3e importer were quoting 6 months for one, and by the time you get the crank, shells and if youve gone in that far, a new oil pump, seals and ofcourse time, the new engine was cheaper. If it got real hot it will be blue, but sometimes browny also on the bottom cap, remove it and inspect, its number 1 or 3 youre looking for depending on which side it fell.

As to injectors .. its worth getting them checked as they can cause all sorts of problems, irregular spray patterns for example which can burn holes in pistons for starters, let alone pressure issues causing incorrect fuelling and power loss etc

[Mattir]

Info on the injectors.

The service guy called and suggested changing the tip to the 2 other injectors as well. The deal skyrocketed to 350€. Accepted that even though could have got new injectors from Germany cheaper, but the big question is: when would they arrive? will get the overhauled ones on tuesday and the -15 is back in business.

[Mattir]

An update.

Got the injectors today and installed them right away.

The sounds like it was born yesterday. Feels like it has more power as well.

It was fun to start digging again.

Happy 1st May to all.