Cranking A Yanmar 3QM3

[Jim Ory]

I've seen the articles previously written about hand cranking the yanmar engines and had the oportunity finally to do it this past weekend when my batteries decided to let me down.I could not start the engine in any way described on the net by the pro's. I pulled the levers and cranked until I could not crank any more. The problem seemed to be that when I pulled the levers and cranked the compression did not change.When the compression stroke came up my cranking came to a screeching halt.After letting the engine set for a while the batteries finally kicked it over and we did not have to sail into the slip after all.Tell me the true secret to cranking this engine so I don't work towards a hernia again......

 

[Jim Vincent]

Crank this....

....Please be careful, but the idea is to release the compression, get the engine spinning and then close the levers...yea right, easier said than done! i know someone who got it spinning and the steel handle slipped off the shaft and broke his JAW!!! several years ago, before learning of this i had bought a crank handle for a 2GM (thought it would be a neat tool to have)...wrong! it slipped off on me too and nearly hit me in the face! because it has to readily slip off when ...(if) the engine starts. when you get it spinning try closing one lever, but good luck, it did'nt work for me either. it's coming to a dead-stop! i spoke to the yanmar dealer here in houston, he also said the cranks a joke!he did'nt know of anyone who was successful starting a yanmar with a crank! yanmars are good engines, i love them, but stay away from the hand crank! jim

 

[Dakota Jim Russell]

Jumper Cables <grin>

Maybe the best solution is to carry jumper cables. They could always be used to ground the shrouds to the water in a lightning storm, or serve as a clothes line . . . . too. <grin>