Petter ph2 slow to turn on hand start

[Jonm]

I have an old Winget? dumper with a petter ph2 engine. It used to run well but I have left it for a few years which was not a good idea. It is now very hard to turn over on the hand crank, far too slow to start it. I have removed the injectors and poured sae30 oil down the bores, left it for a few days, tried turning it, it may be slightly easier but not much.

It is a chain drive to the clutch/gearbox and I am in the process of removing the chain to make sure the resistance is not coming from the gearbox/clutch

A few questions
1. Will something other than oil be better for freeing up the bores. I have heard of using diesel.
2. Is there anything else which could be causing the resistance.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Jeremy Rowland]

Hi Jon and welcome to CMN I would have thought that if the engine had suffered from a standing seizure then you would not be able to move it at all; I have heard of folks putting diesel down the bore to free off seizures before now and all manor of other mixtures to try and free them off.
If it is a chain drive from the engine if its not too much trouble then I would remove the chain and try turning the engine over it will give you a clue as to exactly where the problem is; I would also change the engine oil once the engine has been freed off (assuming it is the engine that has seized)

Jeremy

[Jonm]

Jeremy
Thankyou for the comments.

I have now removed the chain to the clutch/gearbox and no difference so the problem is in the emgine.

I have probed down the holes for the injectors and there is a layer of oil on top of the pistons so as I turn it over the bores are being lubricated. Oil in sump looks ok on dipstick.

If anyone has any idea about what the problem is or what to put down the bores, it would be appreciated.
Regards
Jon

[hair bear]

If there isn't any nasty noises when it turns over, I might be tempted to put the drive chain back on then tow it around the yard a few times to loosen it up. That may start to bring some oil pressure up and lube the sticky bits.

[essexpete]

I think I would have a go with Rob's suggestion. A smidge of ATF in diesel as well to lubricate and help free off anything in the pumps and injectors.

[Mrsmackpaul]

dunno with out been there its very hard to tell or even guess
I wonder if a key of not holding a timing gear on has come loose and is now dragging a little ???
I take it the injectors are still out ??


Paul

[hair bear]

If you try towing it, I should have added...
Injectors out, and place something over the injector bores unless they face away from the driver otherwise whatever is down there could give you an unpleasant shower!

[Jonm]

Thankyou for all the suggestions. It does not make any nasty noises when I turn it over. I like the suggestion of towing it but unfortunately I do not have anything capable of towing it and space is limited. The handle seems to be connected to the camshaft so engine turns at twice the speed of the handle. At the moment I have to put a lever on the handle to get it to turn. Perhaps if I just persist every day to turn it over it will free up. But as you say, if it is stiffness in the bearings then I will need to get the pump turning fairly quickly to get the oil to the bearings.

Many thanks
Jon

[hair bear]

You could try jacking up the drive axle and put it in top gear. Turning the wheel may be easier to begin with and less stress on the timing chain/gears.

[Jonm]

Rob, that is a good idea. Many thanks for the suggestion.
Regards
Jon