Beta Engine - starting experience

[Blue Horizon]

I have a new 2025 Beta 20, which I installed in my sailboat. I'm looking to get some impressions of how your Beta engine starts (and which on you have). Particularly interested in the Beta 20, but in the range is helpful too. The new Beta's require maximum 6 seconds of pre-heat before start. What year and type is your Beta, and what do you do to start yours? Throttle postion, pre-heat time, no pre-heat at all, and ease of start in summer and winter.

Thanks for chiming in with your experience!

 

[FastOlson]

I installed a new Betamarine25, in 2018. This replaced a high-hour Universal M25XP. It was a massive upgrade in less vibration/noise, ease of oil changes, and total cleanliness of the whole engine compartment. I have almost never used the glow plugs at all, except for about 3 or 4 seconds on a day when it's under 40 F. Really even then more out of habit.
I starts so easily. The access to the transmission dip stick is a nice improvement as well.
The drill when starting is actually similar to what I was used to with our prior Universal, which was also based on a Kubota block.
Throttle at about a third forward, neutral. Almost never any pre-heat.
I would likely pre-heat tho, when the ambient is at 32 F or below.

Interesting bit of trivia: my dock neighbor changed his Yamaha 33 engine from the factory Yanmar YSM12 to a new Yanmar twin, He said he would have preferred to go with the Betamarine, but the Yanmar fit his stock location under-V berth better. He's very happy with the new engine.

I would hazard a guess that, like our experience, having a new current-technology diesel kinda made your boat seem "all new again"... !
(I have never helmed a Y-30, but have a lot of happy hours driving a Yamaha 33, and it handles wonderfully. Very high pedigree boats, they are.

 

[marcham]

From the manual:

Up to 6 seconds of pre-heat (in cold weather), then press start.

This means:

Confirm transmission to neutral
Confirm throttle to idle
Up to 6 seconds of pre-heat
Press button ... it starts easily every time.

In my experience, the pre-heat is not required above 20 degrees C, but use it if you find it doesn't start instantly.

DO NOT add throttle (Yanmar GM and YM series need 2/3 to full throttle, Yanmar JH and Beta must not have any throttle advance).

I do find them a little harder to bleed the fuel system than Yanmars. So now, I don't change both the primary and secondary filters at the same time. I do one one day, the other another day and thus minimal fuel bleeding is required.

Don't idle for more than 5 minutes. Start it, give it a minute to confirm consitent water flow, then go. Idling for long time is really hard on the engine and clogs the exhaust elbow. Run it at 75-80% RPM. Running lower is a false savings. Ensure you are propped to achieve max RPM to max RPM +50... If you can't reach rated RPM, your prop or tranny gearing are off and your engine will suffer in the long term. That's 3600-3650 RPM for your Beta 20 at max throttle, in calm seas, with a clean hull and clean prop, with your normal load onboard (people, fuel, water, food, etc...). Cruising RPM should be 2700-2900 RPM. If you can't achieve 3600-3650, your local prop shop may be able to slightly reduce the pitch without replacing the prop.

If you have any questions or concerns, call Gartside. Great engines, easy to service as everything is up front, especially if you opt for the optional oil change pump. I wouldn't hesitate to install another. Exceptional support in Canada. Parts are cheap and available everywhere (Kubota). Best of all, no computer required to service it!

One important consideration if you previously had a Yanmar, is that the engine raw water thru hull may have to go up in size. The Beta requires at least 19mm ID hose (3/4" ID). Your Yanmar may have had 1/2" hose thru-hull.

Gartside sells a maintenance kit that includes all the filters, belt, etc... which is a great value, all tucked away in a small tool box.

 

[Johnb]

My experience with a bunch of different rental boats is if it has glow plugs then it works way better if you use them as instructed
A bunch in this context is more than 12.

 

[BigEasy]

I do find them a little harder to bleed the fuel system than Yanmars. So now, I don't change both the primary and secondary filters at the same time. I do one one day, the other another day and thus minimal fuel bleeding is required.

On my Yanmar 3YM30, add 1/3 throttle without preheat and engine starts instantly in this warm climate / locale.
Interesting strategy on filter change routine. Do you change primary filter first or secondary (engine mounted) or does it make any difference in sequencing? This 3YM30 yanmar is the easiest engine to bleed after filter replacement. Often it is self-bleeding.

 

[jssailem]

add 1/3 throttle without preheat and engine starts instantly in this warm climate / locale.

Up here in the Pacific Northwest during the summer, 1/8 throttle without preheat, the engine starts with a purrrr... Vrooommm.
In the winter, it takes a little longer, but still no preheat, just a couple of compression cycles and fresh diesel.

 

[Blue Horizon]

I installed a new Betamarine25, in 2018. This replaced a high-hour Universal M25XP. It was a massive upgrade in less vibration/noise, ease of oil changes, and total cleanliness of the whole engine compartment. I have almost never used the glow plugs at all, except for about 3 or 4 seconds on a day when it's under 40 F. Really even then more out of habit.
I starts so easily. The access to the transmission dip stick is a nice improvement as well.
The drill when starting is actually similar to what I was used to with our prior Universal, which was also based on a Kubota block.
Throttle at about a third forward, neutral. Almost never any pre-heat.
I would likely pre-heat tho, when the ambient is at 32 F or below.

Interesting bit of trivia: my dock neighbor changed his Yamaha 33 engine from the factory Yanmar YSM12 to a new Yanmar twin, He said he would have preferred to go with the Betamarine, but the Yanmar fit his stock location under-V berth better. He's very happy with the new engine.

I would hazard a guess that, like our experience, having a new current-technology diesel kinda made your boat seem "all new again"... !
(I have never helmed a Y-30, but have a lot of happy hours driving a Yamaha 33, and it handles wonderfully. Very high pedigree boats, they are.

Thanks Fast Olson for the excellent detailed reply! Just what I needed to hear in terms of impressions.

If there are any other beta owners that would like to describe their starting routine in various temperatures pre-heat / no pre-heat that would be welcome!

Thanks again Fast Olsen!

 

[Blue Horizon]

From the manual:

Up to 6 seconds of pre-heat (in cold weather), then press start.

This means:

Confirm transmission to neutral
Confirm throttle to idle
Up to 6 seconds of pre-heat
Press button ... it starts easily every time.

In my experience, the pre-heat is not required above 20 degrees C, but use it if you find it doesn't start instantly.

DO NOT add throttle (Yanmar GM and YM series need 2/3 to full throttle, Yanmar JH and Beta must not have any throttle advance).

I do find them a little harder to bleed the fuel system than Yanmars. So now, I don't change both the primary and secondary filters at the same time. I do one one day, the other another day and thus minimal fuel bleeding is required.

Don't idle for more than 5 minutes. Start it, give it a minute to confirm consitent water flow, then go. Idling for long time is really hard on the engine and clogs the exhaust elbow. Run it at 75-80% RPM. Running lower is a false savings. Ensure you are propped to achieve max RPM to max RPM +50... If you can't reach rated RPM, your prop or tranny gearing are off and your engine will suffer in the long term. That's 3600-3650 RPM for your Beta 20 at max throttle, in calm seas, with a clean hull and clean prop, with your normal load onboard (people, fuel, water, food, etc...). Cruising RPM should be 2700-2900 RPM. If you can't achieve 3600-3650, your local prop shop may be able to slightly reduce the pitch without replacing the prop.

If you have any questions or concerns, call Gartside. Great engines, easy to service as everything is up front, especially if you opt for the optional oil change pump. I wouldn't hesitate to install another. Exceptional support in Canada. Parts are cheap and available everywhere (Kubota). Best of all, no computer required to service it!

One important consideration if you previously had a Yanmar, is that the engine raw water thru hull may have to go up in size. The Beta requires at least 19mm ID hose (3/4" ID). Your Yanmar may have had 1/2" hose thru-hull.

Gartside sells a maintenance kit that includes all the filters, belt, etc... which is a great value, all tucked away in a small tool box.

Thanks Marcham! Another great detailed response and much appreciated!

If there are any other beta owners that would like to describe their starting routine in various temperatures pre-heat / no pre-heat that would be welcome!

Thanks again!

 

[Blue Horizon]

Up here in the Pacific Northwest during the summer, 1/8 throttle without preheat, the engine starts with a purrrr... Vrooommm.
In the winter, it takes a little longer, but still no preheat, just a couple of compression cycles and fresh diesel.

Thanks Jssailem - is your engine a Beta and if so what size is yours?

Thanks again!

 

[jssailem]

BH, no. My engine is a Perkins. I looked at the BETA but chose to rebuild my 54yr old Perkins instead. You’re going to enjoy your BETA. It is always good to follow the manual. (See Marcham’s message about the 6 seconds in cold weather). I would expect you’ll find the BETA easy to start come summer, late spring and early fall without the need for pre-heat, in the waters of BC. CLEAN fuel, good engine compression, clean air filter, and a good battery with adequate charge plus maintained wiring - your BETA will reward you with that lovely sound VRRROOOMMM….

When it happens be sure to check the exhaust for water discharge. Eel grass and other flotsam cans sometimes clog your raw water cooling system.

 

[marcham]

For those that don't know, the Yamaha 30 has a unique installation. The engine is below the v-birth, to provide better balance.