2009

ENGINE SOUNDS

So it’s ’09 and I’m still working in Pago Pago, American Samoa, now I’m at Chicken of the Sea, a tuna cannery, running one of their departments. Pago Pago was a long and varied work gig. (see Manlifts) A young guy sailed in a 34’ sloop, gets the boat settled and goes to his nearest neighbor, there were never more than 15 boats there in my time, he’s got a noise and is asking for a diesel mechanic. My neighbor explains that George on Thalia is probably his best bet, points out my boat and the best time to catch me at home. Eric comes over one day after work and wants me to listen to a strange noise coming from his engine. So I grab a couple of screwdrivers and some hose to use as a stethoscope and we head back to his boat. He lights up the Volvo diesel and the unmistakable whine of a failing ball bearing emanates. I use my crude stethoscope and track down the noise to the input bearing in his transmission.

“Well Eric” I smile and say “It’s not your motor, it’s your tranny. When was the last time you checked your transmission fluid level.” “Never” is his answer, I suggest that that’s a shortsighted maintenance policy “But the manual says it’s a re4versing gear and I never use reverse.” He protests. The urge to howl laughter very nearly overcame me, but that’s not going to make this young sailor feel better. “You see, this is a fairly old engine and that’s what Europeans referred to as a reversing transmission, because for a long time engine drive trains were direct coupled so if it was running the prop was turning. On larger engines to get reverse, you stopped the engine, engaged a different cam and restarted it in reverse.” I explained. “You mean…” “Yes, in all 3 gears your tranny is whirling happily, except yours is no longer happy, that’s why we’re hearing it in neutral. Let’s put some fluid in it and see what happens.” I said. We filled up a tranny that appeared to be as dry as a popcorn fart and the noise didn’t reappear. “We fixed it” he exclaimed happily. “ I doubt it, I’m positive the bearing is cooked and the noise will come back soon and now that there’s lots of fluid in there metal filings will move through the whole tranny and you’ll destroy it.” That didn’t make Eric’s day and I wasn’t surprised when he showed up a couple of days later saying “You were right in about 4 hrs the noise came back, but now it’s worse. We returned to Eric’s boat and studied his workshop manual and I showed him the parts he should replace, it was just bearings and oils seals. “So all I have to do is get these parts from Volvo and replace them. I have to go back to the USA anyway and was going to leave the boat here.” he stated enthusiastically smiling for the 1st time. “No I’d avoid Volvo if I were you, their prices are brutal.” I explained “You should take the tranny apart here and take all the bearings and seals to a bearing house like NGK or SKF in the ‘States, they’re all over the place and will have all of those for you in a day or 2, it’ll cost you a fraction of what Volvo will want.” I explained. “But they’re Volvo parts’ he queried. “Nobody builds their own bearings and seals, it’s too expensive, they use what’s already built and available.” I said. “Ok, can you help me?” he inquired plaintively “Sure, we’ll start right now and I’ll show you what to do” I countered. We went over tranny removal and disassembly of the shafts inside. I cautioned him on the importance of keeping the shims straight as the shaft lengths had to remain the same after the rebuild for the cone clutch tranny to work. Over the next few days Eric was a regular visitor for advice and tools that lots of people don’t normally have, but he got it disassembled and we examined the bearings carefully. “Just replace the lot, they’re cheap, you haven’t done any damage yet and you don’t want to repeat this experience again unnecessarily.” Was my suggestion.

Eric returned with the parts and once again the advice and tool borrowing started, but I would much rather teach a sailor to do his/her own work than charge them for me to do it. Besides I had a 60 hr/wk job that was killing me. Pretty soon Eric reappeared for the last time “it sounds perfect, shifts great, God thanks for your help. What do I owe you?” he asked “Nothing, you did the work remember? But a bottle of rum would be lovely.” I said “Dude, you got it” A couple of days later his boat was gone and another Volvo mechanic was born. (See Dance to Sail) G&T

“If I’m lyin’…”