Re: [AMC-list] Caspers Motor finding knock- Sea Foam saved my day!

[Joe Fulton <piper_pa20@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I was an engineering officer on two diesel powered ships in the Navy.  I learned to dread the first two or three hours underway.  If anything on an engine was going to fail, it was going to fail in that time period.   Our big diesels could (and ofter did) run for weeks without ever being shut down, but let them sit in port for a few days, and almost invevitably you would go through a vulnerable period shortly after startup.   That was the time when we were manuevring in close quarters too, and it kept the EOW oin his toes.  Other parts of the running gear could have problems any time (hot shaft bearings, loss of vacuum in evaporators, etc.) but the engines seemed to tell you that they didn't like sitting idle.
 
Joe Fulton

--- On Fri, 4/23/10, Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx> wrote:


From: Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-list] Caspers Motor finding knock- Sea Foam saved my day!
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Friday, April 23, 2010, 9:03 AM


Good thought on tracking down the cylinder!

Unfortunately all the 196 engines (except the aluminum model) have solid lifters. Seafoam in the oil can certainly clean out hydraulic lifters and get them pumping again, but won't do a thing for the solids. If they make noise they just need adjusting! But you're right, things like engines and auto trannys don't like sitting for ling periods of time without running. 

--------------
> From: "Jesse" <j2sax@xxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2010 3:13:58 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
> 
> Many times you can determine which cylinder is having the issue by
> getting to the "knock range" in the RPM and then removing/reconnecting
> ?the plug wires one at a time to see if the noise stops at a
> particular cylinder.? Lot easier than breaking it all down and mic'ing
> it, though you may have to do that eventually.? I have more than once
> fixed "just that problem cylinder" and gone for years without further
> issues, though I realize that would make many cringe.?? Albeit these
> were not daily drivers or higg RPM race cars!? 
> I recently bought an 88 Eagle Wagon that had been sitting for just 6
> months due to the PO not installing the starter properly.? This was a
> DAILY DRIVER until taht point.? WHen I started it, it had a LOUD
> lifter tick and some knocking as well.? I went and bought 2 cans of
> Sea Foam, put one in the oil and one in the fuel.? I told my bud I was
> driving it home and if it blew up, we'd just drop in another engine.?
> It literally got to where the car would not even do 30 MPH, smoking
> and knocking and shaking.? Then, all of a sudden it smoothed out and
> we did 70MPH all the way home and it runs great everytime now.? 
> You've heard it all your life... mechnical items do not like sitting!

-- Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://www.amc-mag.com
(free download available!)

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