Cold Starts

[Bill Heaton]

Lately my Yanmar is hard to start, inpart I guess due to the cooler weather.I've been using a diesel start spray which fires it up with hardly any cranking. Is there any harm to using that product repeatedly ? After warm up it starts ok.

 

[Sam Lust]

Yes

Ether has a tendency to blow the rings straight down the pistons making starting even more difficult.

 

[Bill Heaton]

Cold starts - pls explain

Pls explain effects of ether on pistons.

 

[Garry Elmer]

Cold Starting

I've used just a "touch" of ether to started our 1980 YANMAR when cold without a problem. I have never had to use more that one small spay of ether though. I've used WD40 also. Ether has been used for decades to start truck diesels and I don't see what the difference would be.

 

[Ernie Rodriguez]

How Cold

Bill, when you say cold, what temps are you talking about? I live in Florida and my 1982 Yanmar is up in age with 3000 hours on it, also hard to start when it has been sitting for a while (cold, but temps in the 90's), yet after warmed up, starts easier. I plan to check the compression for diagnostics. Hard to start for me means I need to set the throttle well past half way, and then when it does start, lots of black smoke to clear out the extra fuel used during starting. Would like to hear what you mean by hard starting. Ernie

 

[Bill Heaton]

"Cold" to Ernie & Garry

Thanks;your situations pretty much duplicate mine. Cold meaning the engine;plus I use only a 1 sec. squirt. I sense a compression-loss problem and want to use the boat while deciding about a complete overhaul. Have you guys considered overhauling your Yanmars ?

 

[Ernie Rodriguez]

Overhaul

In answer to your question about overhauling the Yanmar. It sure is a consideration. I recently replaced the fuel pump, it had a broken peice of metal inside ( apparantly from day one, the broken peice was the little strap that holds the one way valves in place, and was not installed correctly) that eventually began to tear at the diaphram and began leaking. Then I replaced all three injectors as they were found to be way out of spec. Engine runs better but still is hard starting. I plan to measure the compression soon as I receive the compression testor I ordered, and then make a decision, overhaul or replace. I also found an oil leak where the head meets the block at the back of the engine. This oil leak was not there before, and am beginning to suspect perhaps a faulty head gasket? Also noticed a bit of oil in the intake manifold. Hopefully all this will come together soon.