I have experienced consistant difficulty starting my Yanmar when coming in after a day's sail(2-4 hours). I would have to push the button several times to start the engine. I have read several comments on the forum from individuals who have had similar experiences. The service manager at the yacht yard has encountered the same problem and feels it is the increased compression which results from the recent engine use. After attempting many of the proposed remedies discussed on your forum, he has suggested pushing the start button twice, then hold to start. That seems to work. I have found another alternative: releasing pressure by opening, then CLOSING the decompression levers and finally pushing the start button. The motor will start every time when I do this. I would note as others have found, I have never experienced difficulty starting the engine cold. The engine had 11 hours when I purchased it 9 months ago. This problem only started during the warmer summer months. I'd be interested to know if this is helpful to others.
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Eric Lorgus
Does the starter engage?
Dave, I have an '87 H28.5 with a 2GM20F and frequently have starting problems. Mine, however, appear to be either a faulty starter button, solenoid and/or starter itself. I have to push the button multiple times before the starter will crank. Once it does, the engine usually starts right away. My standard shutdown procedure is to run the engine up to 3000 rpm's for 15 secs., then throttle back and pull the fuel cutoff. I picked up that advice years ago, and can no longer remember why a diesel should be run up before shutdown. Eric s/v Explorer 87H285
Dave, I have an '87 H28.5 with a 2GM20F and frequently have starting problems. Mine, however, appear to be either a faulty starter button, solenoid and/or starter itself. I have to push the button multiple times before the starter will crank. Once it does, the engine usually starts right away. My standard shutdown procedure is to run the engine up to 3000 rpm's for 15 secs., then throttle back and pull the fuel cutoff. I picked up that advice years ago, and can no longer remember why a diesel should be run up before shutdown. Eric s/v Explorer 87H285
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Richard Wallace
It Has To Be An Electrical Problem
Since the engine and starter are virtually new, the problem is probably electrical. Also, by releasing the compression what you are really doing is allowing the starter to turn the engine at least one full turn before it hits a compression stroke. By that time considerable momentum has already been built up which carries the engine through the compression stroke. I think you will find that there is a bad electrical connection in either the positive or negative connections. It could be at the battery, at the Bank 1/Bank 2 switch, at the solenoid, or at the ground connection at the engine block (my personal favorite.) I believe that model starter motor is used on all of the GM series engines which means it certainly should have enough power to push through a compression stroke. One last possibility is that your batteries are either bad or are under charged. Test them with a volt meter. While you have the meter out, check the voltage at the solenoid when the starter button is pushed. (Be careful of the belts and pulleys on the front of the engine.) The voltage should stay close to 12 volts. If it drops to 10 or less, you are again looking for a bad connection or a bad battery.
Since the engine and starter are virtually new, the problem is probably electrical. Also, by releasing the compression what you are really doing is allowing the starter to turn the engine at least one full turn before it hits a compression stroke. By that time considerable momentum has already been built up which carries the engine through the compression stroke. I think you will find that there is a bad electrical connection in either the positive or negative connections. It could be at the battery, at the Bank 1/Bank 2 switch, at the solenoid, or at the ground connection at the engine block (my personal favorite.) I believe that model starter motor is used on all of the GM series engines which means it certainly should have enough power to push through a compression stroke. One last possibility is that your batteries are either bad or are under charged. Test them with a volt meter. While you have the meter out, check the voltage at the solenoid when the starter button is pushed. (Be careful of the belts and pulleys on the front of the engine.) The voltage should stay close to 12 volts. If it drops to 10 or less, you are again looking for a bad connection or a bad battery.
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nick
ditto
I have 2001-290 and never have starting problem even one time the batteries were very low ,I agree,sounds like bad connection some place ,try jumping the start at the starter and check the battery condition also try useing a volt meter at starter,keep in touch. nick
I have 2001-290 and never have starting problem even one time the batteries were very low ,I agree,sounds like bad connection some place ,try jumping the start at the starter and check the battery condition also try useing a volt meter at starter,keep in touch. nick
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Pete
starter button switch
The starter button switch has alway been an issue with the small yanmar engine so you may want to check it (or replace it). In addition check all the wireing as other post suggest.If I read you original post correctly you have a new boat and it should be under warrenty,tell the dealer to fix it! If he can't figure out what is wrong tell him to replace everthing he can think of until to is fixed (under warrenty).At less then a year old everthing should be covered 100%.Good Luck!
The starter button switch has alway been an issue with the small yanmar engine so you may want to check it (or replace it). In addition check all the wireing as other post suggest.If I read you original post correctly you have a new boat and it should be under warrenty,tell the dealer to fix it! If he can't figure out what is wrong tell him to replace everthing he can think of until to is fixed (under warrenty).At less then a year old everthing should be covered 100%.Good Luck!
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Paul Akers
Me too!
I have a Yanmar 3HM35F in my '88 Legend 37. I have had the same problem for years. It does seem related to compression and have used both remedies (compression release, keep pushing button) to start the engine. It seems to never occur after the engine has cooled, but after it has been run, shut down (for sailing), and then try to restart while it is still warm. Again, I stress, only occasionally. It has never failed me and refused to start.
I have a Yanmar 3HM35F in my '88 Legend 37. I have had the same problem for years. It does seem related to compression and have used both remedies (compression release, keep pushing button) to start the engine. It seems to never occur after the engine has cooled, but after it has been run, shut down (for sailing), and then try to restart while it is still warm. Again, I stress, only occasionally. It has never failed me and refused to start.
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Don Riha
Same strange problem
Same problem on my "89 30. Started several years ago so I changed the push button. It did not help. I just push the putton several times until it starts. If the starter does not crank how can it be a compression problem? I cannot believe that enough compression can be built up to freeze the engine. Unfortunately I don't have an alternate suggestion.
Same problem on my "89 30. Started several years ago so I changed the push button. It did not help. I just push the putton several times until it starts. If the starter does not crank how can it be a compression problem? I cannot believe that enough compression can be built up to freeze the engine. Unfortunately I don't have an alternate suggestion.
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Brian Hanna
I've got the same problem on my '95 h336
I've got the same problem on my 336 (3GM series) and the first few times it happened it scared the @#%*&# out of me. Now I just push the button 4 or 5 times and it kicks in. As with the others, it only happens after I've been out sailing and never when it's cold.
I've got the same problem on my 336 (3GM series) and the first few times it happened it scared the @#%*&# out of me. Now I just push the button 4 or 5 times and it kicks in. As with the others, it only happens after I've been out sailing and never when it's cold.
Hey Eric.
Eric: The actual instruction from the Yanmar Manual states: STOPPING 1. Before stopping, put the clutch in NEUTRAL and run the engine at approximately 1,000 rpm for about 5 minutes. 2. Before stopping, temporarily raise the speed to the rated speed to blow out residue in the cylinders. Then stop the engine by pulling the engine stop lever to cut the fuel. and a stopping precaution: If the engine is stopped immediately after full-load operation, the temperature of each part will rise suddenly, leading to trouble.
Eric: The actual instruction from the Yanmar Manual states: STOPPING 1. Before stopping, put the clutch in NEUTRAL and run the engine at approximately 1,000 rpm for about 5 minutes. 2. Before stopping, temporarily raise the speed to the rated speed to blow out residue in the cylinders. Then stop the engine by pulling the engine stop lever to cut the fuel. and a stopping precaution: If the engine is stopped immediately after full-load operation, the temperature of each part will rise suddenly, leading to trouble.
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