Strange times in deed.

I'm looking at buying a 4wd, no doubt a '67 or so model but as for motorcycles, anything made before 2000 is too old - ha!

Saw a YouTube recently which placed a ChangFa at 100db.  That's too loud I think for using inside a city.

What kind of db levels does a Lister 6-1/12-2/16-2 produce?

I know from my experience with a CS3-1, you can stand at 5m and hold a normal conversion and that engine has no sound proofing/reduction done to it.  It's in an open barn with a straight pipe exhaust.  A Petter 3hp on the other hand, you can hear over the top of your TV even when it's 70m away!

Thank you for taking the time to make your readings.

Flyingpony,what did you import from Japan and how do you like it?

It was already imported by a local used car dealer.  Could have saved a 1/3 if imported myself, but by seeing the car in person and taking it for a 30km spin around the block, one can eliminate cars which looked good on paper.  Would hate to purchase a lemon.  Purchasing already imported cars meant they've also got an Automobile Association inspection report.  My car is a petrol powered Mitsubishi sedan.

Personally I find Japanese imported cars give very good back for buck.  Especially if you get low mileage ones (sub 50,000km).  Should last you 10yrs with little attention and for US$5,000 that's a bargain.  But after leaving the car yard you have to drive into the service station and replace all fluid/belts, water pump and the battery.  Peace of mind insurance.

Only negative on Japanese imports, they could have clocked up plenty of idle hours so engine wear might be much higher than indicated.

NZ imports lots of cars ex-Japan.  The NZ Government has tightened the importation regulations even more.  Soon we're going to be getting even younger models.

As of 2009, petrol cars they must be made after 2000 and exceed Japan “GH”/Euro 3 emission standard.  For diesel it's even more gloomy, essentially anything made before 2004/2005 is a no go for importation - this ruling applies to not only cars but trucks and buses as well (if I understand it correctly).  That'll kill the house bus and small business owner market.

If you do buy a Japanese car, try to find one which still has it's service log book, they're like hen's teeth but gold.  Okay I can't read Japanese but dates and mileage figures are rather universal.  I got really lucky and my car had it's log book with everything accounted for except the final 12 months in Japan, the mileage added up so it wasn't wound back, I hope.  Maybe I should send the former owner a post card, the log book had his home address in it

And the great news, these rules don't appear to apply to stationary diesel engines

And I'm from across the ditch Matt/Snail.

Had one painful experience with a genuine single cylinder Petter.

It was hard to start engine (that was before we used a B&S Petrol to start it ) and one day it pre-ignited and ran backwards until the next compression stroke.  The crank handle was whipped out of my hand and firmly planted onto the inside of my left knee - that hurt.  X-rays showed no bone injury and physo said it looked good under examination.  Took 6-12 months before my knee came right, before the limp went away and I could walk for longer than 4 minutes at any time before resting.  That engine still sits where it was last used and has been replaced with a CS3-1.

If I knew then what I know now.  All it probably required was decarbonation.  Will do that one day, it's been on the list for 3yrs.

Without pictures, it's worth considering if it might be a fuel leak.

It was recently discovered that not all of the 'shine' on a lister was in fact engine oil.  Using torch light whilst shutting it down, a faint mist was noticed.  Tracked it down to a hair line crack just above the injector pump.  Local mechanic brass welded the line good as new.  Improved its fuel economy and made it run quieter.

In answer to your question:
If the leak is minor doesn't bother you, then it's okay.  Besides, if you've ever owned a series Land Rover, you'll know that it's impossible to stop them leaking oil.