Engine trouble

[Benny]

Heat in the wiring and battery sounds like the

engine is cranking, but slowly. Unless extreme cold conditions I would say your starter motor may be showing some signs of wear and perhaps could use some new bushings and brushes. You don't say how cold it got but if the boat is still in the water, as you say you were trying to start it, it should not have been cold enough to prevent it from cranking properly. You probably won't experience the symptoms in warmer weather but I would suggest fixing or replacing rather than have it fail in some cool morning at some far away anchorage.

 

[Ross]

Has the engine cover been removed so that

the engine might be watched while the starting switch is closed? All of this speculation about whether or not the engine is being cranked by the starter can be put to rest with an eyeball test. If the engine can't be seen from the cockpit then that is why they make mirrors.

 

[seadaddler]

Check

Check and clean all battery connections and checkbattery for a good charge and fluid in battery.Put heat lamp or hair dryer before trying to start,becareful not to heat any wiring.I would not use starting fluid.Nick

 

[Jim]

RE Light Bulb to Warm Engine.

Pual is 100% right. Your engine may not have glow plug or they may be blown out.

 

[RichH]

2QM20 Yanmar

Does not have glow plugs ......Just heat the engine by either raising the compartment temperature, etc. One typical starting problem on QM engines .... there is a fuse & fuse holder mounted on the aft port side of the engine (between the engine and the transmission .... its mounted 'high' on the engine casting) that controls the starter solenoid. The fuse holder is very subject to corrosion and if by constant condensation inside a 'cold' boat the corrosion may prevent the starter from engaging with the solenoid (high resistance). If you really know what you are doing you can simply 'jumper' the solenoid between the batt. terminal on the solenoid TO the primary of the solenoid .... to engage the starter. This is a 'common' problem on 2QM and 3QM Yanmars .... and the fuse holder should be changed out with one made-up with TINNED wiring. 

 

[SEADANCE]

The verdict is...

The Fuse to Keyswitch! Went down to the boat yesterday. I dodged the experience and took the kids to the Marina playground hoping I could not hear any cursing coming from my sailboat and crossed my fingers the whole time while hubby worked on her. I thought it was gelin but hubby traced it and found a blown fuse.Thank you guys for all of your help and info with this! It was an easy fix.. thank goodness!!!Robins everywhere, green grass sprouting, flowers a bloomin, trees jumpstarting...spring is here along the Mississippi Gulf Coast(Thunderstorms and tornado warnings as I type).Gin Mill's getting a new coat of fresh top coat paint, new sails and going to re-due her teak and I can't wait to get knee deep and dirty with it! Was having some serious Winter Blues...have missed sailing, the islands and my dolphin friends.Time for bikini's, Rum Berry smoothies and dark tanning lotion!This Jolly Ole Whench is back!So who has snow? Thanks again,B/Seadance

 

[Joe A]

Just wondering...

Why did the fuse blow in the first place?

 

[Brian D]

No snow here...

But I'll take the bikini photos if you send them this way.

 

[RAD]

First snow here in New Yawk today

But its all going to turn to rain overnight (Woo Hoo)Spring is right around the corner and I'm getting dunked March 27thpsLong Island, New York

 

[KathyL]

Ice here tonight..

... but at least I got my heat back. The furnace has been out since Friday. I think it's a sign that I need to move south.

 

[Brian M H23]

8 inches dumped on us poor lake ontario dwellers