Problem starting engine on "86" Cat 30

[Dick1505]

Having trouble starting engine. Put in new batteries. Engine will start right up with a tiny shot of starter fluid even though it is not good for the engine. If I shut it off, it will restart without help of fluid. Think it is a problem with Glow Plugs. Removed and tested Glow Plug button and it seems to be working just fine. Does the button activate a solenoid that powers the plugs? Can't seem to locate one yet. Any suggestions?

 

[woodster]

you have a problem in the wiring if that is a universal engine it has a connector in the harness that is either not making a good connection or a bad wire feeding the glow plugs...i think its a number 10 gauge wire either blue or orange cant remember for sure the color but they usually have a spare in the harness so just replace the wire with the spare and see if that solves the problem ...those engines are hard to start without the glow plugs.....and stay away from the starting fluid if you use to much it may blow a piston or if you use it ...it may get addicted and that would be like cocaine to a crack head

 

[Dick1505]

At first I tried tracing the wire starting at the plugs. It is kind of brown. It went to the starboard side of the engine where it joined a bunch of wires with connectors that can not be separated. At that point it changes to white. Working from the button end, the wire is white, also, but I don't know what is happening in between. I'll take enough wire to run from the plug into the cockpit so I can see if the wire is broken somewhere in between.

Is the bundle of wires on the starboard side of the engine where the wires coming down the mast are made up?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Dick,

Your profile says Hunter 28???

What engine? That would help us a lot to help you.

Let's assume it is an M25 in an '86 C30.

Start here:

Critical Upgrades http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5078.0.html

Issues you need to deal with are the engine ground, wiring harness connectors and, as you said, glow plugs.

Those engines did NOT have solenoids for the glow plugs. Many of us have added solenoids. You can find out about them here:

Engines 101 - The BIGGEST & BEST collection of M25 Series Universal Engine Information on the Internet, plus some M35, too

http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Diesel_Engine

Good luck.

 

[Dick1505]

Two foot "ites." I moved up to the Catalina 30 with a fin keel instead of the Hunters wing. Wanted to view the club races from at least the middle of the pack instead of the rear.

I now feel that the problem was a tempremental Glow Plug button. Talking to the PO yesterday, he admitted replacing it at one time. I had it out yesterday and injected contact cleaner and worked it repeatedly. It now appears to work fine and I realize I can verify it working by looking at the charge meter and noting the discharge when it is depressed and makes a good contact.

 

[Stu Jackson]

...and I realize I can verify it working by looking at the charge meter and noting the discharge when it is depressed and makes a good contact.

What's a "charge meter?"

 

[Dick1505]

Probably used the wrong term. The meter, just like on your car, that tells whether your battery is charging or discharging and gives you some idea of how much.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Probably used the wrong term. The meter, just like on your car, that tells whether your battery is charging or discharging and gives you some idea of how much.

Is it an ammeter or a voltmeter?

If it's an ammeter please read the links and the embedded links therein.