Zoltan Nemet
New member
Hi, l have problem with my neighbours Thornycroft t154 engine. Namely, it won't start since a supposed mechanich did the inspection on the engine. Has anyone experinced a simmilar problem or has an engine setup manual?
Thornycroft t154 engine won't start
- Thread starter Zoltan Nemet
- Start date
superheat6k
Well-known member
What is the actual engine ? Thornycroft were marinised commercial engines, e.g. Cummins 4BTA, 6BTA, etc
Is 'not starting' no spin on the starter, or turning but not firing ? Are the batteries on ? Is the fuel valve open ? Possibly something has been shut off.
Is 'not starting' no spin on the starter, or turning but not firing ? Are the batteries on ? Is the fuel valve open ? Possibly something has been shut off.
Zoltan Nemet
New member
It's a marinised engine. I don't know the exact type. I don't have any other specific data on the engine other than the numbers on the pictures below.
The injection pump and the injectons were renewed and tested. Now I have to set up the ignition advance so that the engine could start but l don't know how and can't find a setup manual for that. Do you have an idea or pointer for me?
I have searched the web but l can't find any information.
The injection pump and the injectons were renewed and tested. Now I have to set up the ignition advance so that the engine could start but l don't know how and can't find a setup manual for that. Do you have an idea or pointer for me?
I have searched the web but l can't find any information.
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Graham376
Well-known member
Jim@sea
Well-known member
About 10 years ago I bought a boat with one of these Thornycroft 2.5 BMC engines purely because in the 1970's and 1980's when these engines were fitted in the vans that I serviced I knew the engines well and wrongly assumed that the parts for these engines would be readily available today. I was wrong, parts for this engine are really difficult to find. In particular I wanted a Water Pump, yes I could get the one I had reconditioned butt to actually buy a reconditioned one was impossible as non of the firms who service/recondition these pumps have any stock.
Regarding starting, when I sold a van with this engine I gave a buyer a can of easy start. (just in case)
What I did with this boat having not touched a Diesel engine for 30 years, I got a Mobile Mechanic to take the Injectors and sent them away for cleaning/testing (Diesel Bob in Preston is brilliant) and after the mechanic took the injectors out I had him do a Compression Test, which I believe is what you should have done.
I also bought some new Glow Plugs, When the injectors came back I fitted them myself as having watched the mechanic take them out I knew what to do.
I also found that the arm of the diesel lift pump which rises when the camshaft turns can wear. the lift pump arm is made of a softer metal than the camshaft lobe so as not to wear it down. They found this with JCB's with this engine fitted as they would be running 8 hours a day, every day.
In my opinion if these engines are reluctant to start often it needs a new battery with a bigger output as the faster the starter motor turns the engine the higher the compression to ignite the diesel.
You could try Easystart. Mechanics used to say that once you use Easystart it kncaners the engine up. But if an engine won't start unless you use Easy Start its knackered anyway.
If the compressions are low, but they are all the same pressure instead of having new piston rings (and removing the engine out of the boat) you could have the head skimmed a bit that would increase the compression. (bit heavy though)
Good Luck.
Regarding starting, when I sold a van with this engine I gave a buyer a can of easy start. (just in case)
What I did with this boat having not touched a Diesel engine for 30 years, I got a Mobile Mechanic to take the Injectors and sent them away for cleaning/testing (Diesel Bob in Preston is brilliant) and after the mechanic took the injectors out I had him do a Compression Test, which I believe is what you should have done.
I also bought some new Glow Plugs, When the injectors came back I fitted them myself as having watched the mechanic take them out I knew what to do.
I also found that the arm of the diesel lift pump which rises when the camshaft turns can wear. the lift pump arm is made of a softer metal than the camshaft lobe so as not to wear it down. They found this with JCB's with this engine fitted as they would be running 8 hours a day, every day.
In my opinion if these engines are reluctant to start often it needs a new battery with a bigger output as the faster the starter motor turns the engine the higher the compression to ignite the diesel.
You could try Easystart. Mechanics used to say that once you use Easystart it kncaners the engine up. But if an engine won't start unless you use Easy Start its knackered anyway.
If the compressions are low, but they are all the same pressure instead of having new piston rings (and removing the engine out of the boat) you could have the head skimmed a bit that would increase the compression. (bit heavy though)
Good Luck.
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