I have a reaccuring problem with the engine on my 1997 Catalina 28 MKII. If I run under power for any length of time (1 hour or more)and shut off my engine, it will not crank right away. After about 20 to 30 minutes, it will crank with no problem. Does anyone out there have any idea what can be causing this. This only happens when i'm out on the water. I cannot seem to get it to repeat this in the slip.
- Status
Cranky Diesel
By "it will not crank" do you mean turn over? Can you hear the solenoid kick in for the starter? What is the temperature of the engine when running under power? My first guess would be over heating, based on the number of clues you have given.
By "it will not crank" do you mean turn over? Can you hear the solenoid kick in for the starter? What is the temperature of the engine when running under power? My first guess would be over heating, based on the number of clues you have given.
Cool down time
Citadel 83-- Just curious, are you letting your engine run at idle speed with no load for 3-5 minutes before shutting it down? Several minutes of no load idling allow a diesel to shed some excess heat, and eliminate "hot spots" within the engine block. This is especially important with turbo charged diesels (which most of us don't have on our sailboats) as the turbos spin many times faster than the engine rpms, and will "cook" the lubricating oil if shut down when hot. An engine that is shut down when hot is a "tight" engine. Pistons and rings are hot, and therefore they have expanded. They are sometimes harder to crank. I'd try letting it idle several minutes next time to cool down, then seeing what results you get. Let us know how you make out. Randy
Citadel 83-- Just curious, are you letting your engine run at idle speed with no load for 3-5 minutes before shutting it down? Several minutes of no load idling allow a diesel to shed some excess heat, and eliminate "hot spots" within the engine block. This is especially important with turbo charged diesels (which most of us don't have on our sailboats) as the turbos spin many times faster than the engine rpms, and will "cook" the lubricating oil if shut down when hot. An engine that is shut down when hot is a "tight" engine. Pistons and rings are hot, and therefore they have expanded. They are sometimes harder to crank. I'd try letting it idle several minutes next time to cool down, then seeing what results you get. Let us know how you make out. Randy
- Status