I have a hunter 78 Yanmar 8hp diesel It will not start when the temp drops below 50 Any gadgets I can buy to heat the oil or something that will help it start?
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Hair dryer in air intake
Try a hair dryer in the air intake. Be sure to advance the throttle to about 3/4 until the engine fires.
Try a hair dryer in the air intake. Be sure to advance the throttle to about 3/4 until the engine fires.
Does it crank OK?
If it cranks OK check engine compression. If the problem is that it cranks too slow to get it started then I would suggest you check your electric starting system. Check the state of charge of your batteries, check the heavy gauge cables, check that connections are tight and clean. If the problem persists have the starter itself checked. We have the same engine and in really cold mornings I may need to move our battery switch to "All" just to make it easier to crank. Make sure your engine is operating to specs before considering any gadgets.
If it cranks OK check engine compression. If the problem is that it cranks too slow to get it started then I would suggest you check your electric starting system. Check the state of charge of your batteries, check the heavy gauge cables, check that connections are tight and clean. If the problem persists have the starter itself checked. We have the same engine and in really cold mornings I may need to move our battery switch to "All" just to make it easier to crank. Make sure your engine is operating to specs before considering any gadgets.
Mike is right
A 40 watt light bulb has several advantages. it keeps the engine from ever freezing. the air around the engine is always warm. There is no engine that doesnt start easier warm.
A 40 watt light bulb has several advantages. it keeps the engine from ever freezing. the air around the engine is always warm. There is no engine that doesnt start easier warm.
Living Aboard?
I knew some people that used to live aboard a 50' motor yacht and in the winter used to keep a string (on a 2x4 board) of 40-watt bulbs (3 of them) on the deck UNDER the engines (2) to keep them warm in order to start them, when necessary.
I knew some people that used to live aboard a 50' motor yacht and in the winter used to keep a string (on a 2x4 board) of 40-watt bulbs (3 of them) on the deck UNDER the engines (2) to keep them warm in order to start them, when necessary.
Compression help
Thanks for the advice. The engine craks but won't turn over. Should I try to manually crank it? What are the steps to do that? I never did that before and am not sure how to do that. Is there a comprssion switch I need to deal with? Jerry
Thanks for the advice. The engine craks but won't turn over. Should I try to manually crank it? What are the steps to do that? I never did that before and am not sure how to do that. Is there a comprssion switch I need to deal with? Jerry
Starting
We have the same motor (1976) and it will start in sub-freezing temps. Check if you have full cranking amps from your battery!
We have the same motor (1976) and it will start in sub-freezing temps. Check if you have full cranking amps from your battery!
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