> John - > I only ever used it when bleeding the engine - and it was a two man > process to bleed the engine anyway - somebody cranking away while I held > the decompression lever and opened the various bleed points. I used to > have an old yanmar that you could hand crank to get it started - which I > did a lot after the alternator died - you'd release compression and crank > the sucker as fast you could and then release the crank and the comression > lever at the same time to see if it would fire. Great fun. You really > couldn't crank the darn thing without releasing compression. I have heard > of people that have tried to start an engine with a weak battery by > releasing the compression getting it spinning and then letting go of the > lever hoping it'll fire - I've also been told that's a good way to snap or > bend a connecting rod if it gets loaded up with fuel. > > -- > Dave > C27 #5212 > Windabout > Cape Cod > http://dpbcc.home.comcast.net > > -------------- Original message ---------------------- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Listees >> >> Reference Universal 5411 (Model 15) diesel engine >> >> From time to time I have read or have seen references to using the >> decompression lever as a means of making the engine easier to start >> and/or >> bleeding >> the fuel system. I have never used it, in fact never made a point of >> locating >> it. Recently found it -- I think. Aft top part of engine on valve >> cover. >> >> References have mentioned the lever should be engaged (decompression) to >> turn the engine over while bleeding the fuel system. And engaged to >> help start >> an otherwise balking starting cold engine. >> >> Problem. The lever on my engine has a spring attached to it and in >> order to >> engage it the lever has to be held in place, otherwise the spring >> closes it >> (compression). How does one engage the lever while turning over the >> engine >> from the cockpit? Or am I to assume the references should have stated >> while >> one person engaged the lever the other person engaged the starter? >> >> Questions. Did I correctly identify the decompression lever? Do >> others use >> it? Is there more than one person involved when it is used? Any other >> enlightening suggestions, comments, etc. about the use of the >> decompression >> lever? >> >> John Jennings >> C27 5267 >> > the compression lever is relieve pressure on the cylinders, icase of water on cyl. railroad locomotives ea cyl has a test cock, a needele in a seat, screw out opens the cyl head pressure out > > del kleitz 3561 78 std a4 >
