Intermittent engine starting problem

[BW]

I have an 88 C30 with a 23hp Universal diesel. I purchased her in April of this year and she is running great. In the last month, I have had a couple of times when the engine would not start right up. Pushing the start button yielded nothing. I kept trying and stopping, and after many repeated tries the engine slowly turned over and started. All other times it has cranked right up.Any ideas on what may be causing this? I am concerned that I will be out on the water and not be able to start the engine.Thanks.Bill Wehmer

 

[Larry Watkins]

Engine starting

BW; It sounds like you have a dirty/corroded connection or frayed wire in your start circuit. Examine all wires and cables, clean and tighten all the connections and make sure your battery is holding a charge.

 

[AL PERKINS]

SIMILAR PROBLEMS

BILL..WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED SIMILAR PROBLEMS OVER THE YEARS WITH OUR /84 C30 UNIVERSAL TYPE 5411 22HP .IF YOU SUSPECT CABLE CONNECTION CORROSION..TRY RUNNING A JUMPER CABLE DIRECT FROM YOUR BATTERY TO ENGINE (GROUND) OR STARTER (HOT).IN AN EMERGENCY THERE MAY BE A COMPRESSION RELEASE LEVER ON THE ENGINE WHERE YOU CAN GET THE ENGINE SPINNING AND THEN RELEASE TO START WHEN BATTERY IS LOW AND STARTER WONT KICK IN DUE TO INITIAL LOAD.WE ALSO FOUND OUT GLOW PLUGS HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH AN ENGINE STARTING RIGHT UP .GOOD LUCK

 

[BW]

Thanks for the advice

Al,Do you have any particular advice/experience with glowplugs? Also, how did you solve the similar problems you had? I am assuming you used the jumper technique as described. Is that correct?