Volvo Penta MD-1 starting (after sitting for 30 years)

It's a single cylinder diesel marine engine.
Spent an evening checking it out and getting it running after many years in storage.
*Water pump was on backwards causing water flow to be reversed.
*Oil pump didn't want to work, think it just had a hard time getting primed.
*Fuel injection pump was stuck in the no fuel position. Some PB Blaster, little heat, and gently moving the control gradually freed it.
Now I think all it needs are a few new gaskets.

[@georgesbonellodupuis8245]

We had the exact engine in our sailing boat. Fantastic engine..

[@heuhen]

Had an MD25 )or was it an MD2... it was 25hp), sounds like an V6 every time you changed throttle position! Always fun when you are docking in between speed boats!

[@captlarry-3525]

lovely little engine, quite worthwhile for a launch or sailboat. When I start engines that haven't run in decades.. I like to prime the oil system.. and I like to lubricate the top end.. pulling the oil pressure sensor give you a quick way into the oil galleries.. and pulling the injectors lets you squirt oil or a pentetrating lubricant.. ( silicone works) into the cylinders.. so they don't start dry.. and helps free any stuck rings so they don't break or pump oil... using the manual pump to bleed the injection system and force clean fuel into the system ( crack the unions at the injectors and pump until they spurt fuel and don't bubble. the gummed up injector control would still have been a problem. Change oil and filter after first 15 minutes.. and again after a couple of hours, Once more after a day of use.. and you should be good.

[@markiboy1981]

Wish I could get mine to start. Cant even turn the crank handle

[@joegalea3057]

is there any placee where i can get main crank bearing

[@katrecest6180]

BEAUTIFUL ENGINE!!!!!!! Enjoy I I would give my big toe to have one!

[@captlarry-3525]

Trick is to hand operate the fuel lift pump, crack open the bleed screws, get all the air out of the fuel injection system.. crack at the injector too.. make sure you have fuel flow to the injector.. and then it will start right away if there is compression ! Water pump has nothing to do with it starting or not starting. oh yes.. having the injection pump lever in the shut down position will do it.. but you would have found that out.. doing what I spelled out.

[@captlarry-3525]

when a diesel wont run.. its almost always a fuel delivery problem if there is compression

[@dylan3657]

i have a MD 1 engine anyone looking for one needs set of rings and head gasket, block is removed for inspection

[@charlietingle1555]

Had one of those in my Cheoy lee offshore 27. Forced me to become a better sailor as it would stop running at the most critical times. Usually when coming back into the marina.

[@JohnWatson-gn3ux]

Do you want to sell it?

[@georgesbonellodupuis8245]

I had an MD1 a few years back. Loved that single cylinder sound.. Always a nightmare to stat with that heavy starting handle..

[@PerMoenCaptain]

Love the sound

[@МаринаПушкина-и7я]

Хороший двигатель!!!! Мы себе на лодку такой же поставили. Но ваш работает тише. Звук завораживает!!!

[@joegalea3057]

looking for a diaphragm for the fuel pump. Got any ideas?

[@tommarsti6099]

I'm having trouble with my own. Very difgicult to start and keep running

[@redlint2932]

Nice!! would you consider selling?

[@Interdiction]

It sound like it is only running on one cylinder

[@sureshkumarc.k6534]

Yea,there's only one