Lehman 120 owners:

Yesterday I changed the oil in the two Simms injector pumps on my 1982 vintage
Ford Lehman 120s (naturally aspirated).  The operators manual says change the
oil every 50 hours and I had let them run 61 hours since last change (this was
only the second change under my ownership).  The manual also calls for 0.9
pints (i.e. 14.4 oz) of lube oil capacity (same oil as the engine uses, in my
case Delo 400 30W).  I drained exactly 0.9 pints out of the port engine, but
from the starboard engine I had a bit over 16 oz of fluid.  Refilled both
engines and buttoned everything up.

My concern is the excess fluid in the starboard engine injector pump.  I seem
to remember somewhere that the extra fluid is diesel fuel from the injectors
being allowed into the pump lubrication and may be an indication of required
service of the injectors or the pump.  Can anyone provide recommendations on
the next step?  My initial reaction is to check the starboard Simms fluid
level more frequently and to change the oil in it at 25 hour intervals and
note any excess fluid at that point.  Should I consider having the pump
serviced locally?  Does anyone have a ballpark estimate on the cost of having
the Simms pump serviced?

Under penalty of law the operator hereby certifies that the vessel has not
been in Cuba during his ownership.

Steven Williford
DF 44 Cloud Nine
Whidbey Island, WA

(SNIP) My concern is the excess fluid in the starboard engine injector
pump.  I seem
to remember somewhere that the extra fluid is diesel fuel from the
injectors
being allowed into the pump lubrication and may be an indication of
required
service of the injectors or the pump.  Can anyone provide
recommendations on
the next step?  My initial reaction is to check the starboard Simms
fluid
level more frequently and to change the oil in it at 25 hour intervals
and
note any excess fluid at that point.

I change my oil in the injector pumps around 200 hours.  I take out
530ML and put in 500ML.  This suggests there is some leakage in the
seals.  If I were to change the oil at 25 hour intervals, I'd be
changing it every other day when I'm on the move.

One source of expert advice is American Diesel (Bob Smith or Brian) in
Kilmarnock Va. (804) 435-3107.  Bob was a Lehman VP for many years and
knows the little critters inside and out.

                               Regards.....

Phil Rosch
Old Harbor Consulting
M/V "Curmudgeon" Marine Trader 44 TC
Currently Moored in Marathon, Vaca Key, FL

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn't
do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away
from
the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream.
Discover." - Mark Twain