Having motor trouble. I have a 1983 Catalina 30. Motor just wont start. It turns over but wont catch. I am using the Glow Plugs to start. Any idea as to what could be wrong.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
D
Dave Ullrich
S
Steve Treppa
Needs a Bleed?
Usually the only thing (outside of a MAJOR mechanical problem) that will cause a diesel not to start is either bad fuel or air in the fuel lines.... 1. If you just bought some new fuel and the problem "magically" appeared, I'd start there..the "solution" is to pump all of the fuel out of the tank and buy new....how and with what you do this I have no idea and hope I never have to! <g> 2. If you haven't recently purchase fuel, I'd try to bleed the fuel lines (make sure to open the muffler valve prior to doing so to keep seawater out of your engine!...Also, make sure your fuel valve is turned on, if it isn't, that MIGHT be the problem! <g>). If its an M-25 (that's what I've got) you need to turn on the fuel pump (turn on the key), then first loosen the bleed nut on top of the secondary fuel filter (the one on the engine) until air-free fuel pumps out (catch any spills -- DIESEL STINKS!), then loosen the "knurled knob" on the injector pump, the fuel pump speed should increase and the slow down (but mine never does!), then try to start... if it still doesn't start (as mine never does), then loosen each injector (at the cylinder) one at a time starting with the one nearest the injector pump until air free fuel flow from each (this is what I have to do to get a start but I've been told by others that it SHOULD be unecessary) 3. If the bleed procedure doesn't work, you may be looking at some sort of compression loss that will almost always be costly to repair....but....check that the air intake isn't clogged? That's all I can think of... Steve Treppa
Usually the only thing (outside of a MAJOR mechanical problem) that will cause a diesel not to start is either bad fuel or air in the fuel lines.... 1. If you just bought some new fuel and the problem "magically" appeared, I'd start there..the "solution" is to pump all of the fuel out of the tank and buy new....how and with what you do this I have no idea and hope I never have to! <g> 2. If you haven't recently purchase fuel, I'd try to bleed the fuel lines (make sure to open the muffler valve prior to doing so to keep seawater out of your engine!...Also, make sure your fuel valve is turned on, if it isn't, that MIGHT be the problem! <g>). If its an M-25 (that's what I've got) you need to turn on the fuel pump (turn on the key), then first loosen the bleed nut on top of the secondary fuel filter (the one on the engine) until air-free fuel pumps out (catch any spills -- DIESEL STINKS!), then loosen the "knurled knob" on the injector pump, the fuel pump speed should increase and the slow down (but mine never does!), then try to start... if it still doesn't start (as mine never does), then loosen each injector (at the cylinder) one at a time starting with the one nearest the injector pump until air free fuel flow from each (this is what I have to do to get a start but I've been told by others that it SHOULD be unecessary) 3. If the bleed procedure doesn't work, you may be looking at some sort of compression loss that will almost always be costly to repair....but....check that the air intake isn't clogged? That's all I can think of... Steve Treppa
J
Jeff Walker
Compression release stuck open?
Steve had a lot of very good advice which I also had to learn the hard way. I also had a problem where the compression release (used for cold weather starting) had stuck open. The engine will not start but will turn over very fast. I have an '83 Cat. 30 with the M25 diesel and the engine compartment looks to be designed for a smaller engine. The compression release is on top of the engine and can get hung up in the insulation under the sink storage area which leaves the cylinders open. Please let us know how you fix the problem. Jeff
Steve had a lot of very good advice which I also had to learn the hard way. I also had a problem where the compression release (used for cold weather starting) had stuck open. The engine will not start but will turn over very fast. I have an '83 Cat. 30 with the M25 diesel and the engine compartment looks to be designed for a smaller engine. The compression release is on top of the engine and can get hung up in the insulation under the sink storage area which leaves the cylinders open. Please let us know how you fix the problem. Jeff
S
Steve Treppa
One more thing!!
If there is unexplainable air in the fuel lines, it is likely that you have a leak somewhere in the fuel system. If this is the case, all of the bleeding in the world is not going to get the engine to start (or stay running if it does). If a bleed temporarily fixes the problem or if endless bleeding still results in bubbles, you've got a possible fuel system leak that needs to be tracked down. Steve
If there is unexplainable air in the fuel lines, it is likely that you have a leak somewhere in the fuel system. If this is the case, all of the bleeding in the world is not going to get the engine to start (or stay running if it does). If a bleed temporarily fixes the problem or if endless bleeding still results in bubbles, you've got a possible fuel system leak that needs to be tracked down. Steve
T
Todd Osborne
Glow Plugs
It could also be the glow plugs are not getting hot enough. 1)check the batteries for a good charge 2) Check the glow plug switch (bad switch?) 3) check the voltage at the glow plugs (corroded wiring?) 4)make shure to spend ample time warming thje plugs (30 seconds)
It could also be the glow plugs are not getting hot enough. 1)check the batteries for a good charge 2) Check the glow plug switch (bad switch?) 3) check the voltage at the glow plugs (corroded wiring?) 4)make shure to spend ample time warming thje plugs (30 seconds)
W
Walt
Be careful cranking
Remember when you're cranking that the impeller is turning and filling water up in the muffler. Be sure to drain the muffler or the water can back up into the engine - if you crank long enough. It takes engine exhaust to blow the water out of the muffler. And once water starts backing up it makes it even harder to start. Good luck and let us know how you do. Walt walterts@aol.com
Remember when you're cranking that the impeller is turning and filling water up in the muffler. Be sure to drain the muffler or the water can back up into the engine - if you crank long enough. It takes engine exhaust to blow the water out of the muffler. And once water starts backing up it makes it even harder to start. Good luck and let us know how you do. Walt walterts@aol.com
P
patrick boole
air leak
if you have blead the system and while cranking it over notice that fuel is not coming out of the bleeder valve you might have a pin hole leak in the fuel line from the tank to the filter. happened to me and fussed and fessed and replaced the lines and walla. engines are ver simple. if it has fuel to engine and compression it should go. the list goes as follows. at tank make sure strain is clear and at the filter make sure fuel gets there and check filter for proper seal so it can suck fuel. bleed and make sure when you crank it spurts fuel. crank while the bleer valve is open and when it catches turn it off.
if you have blead the system and while cranking it over notice that fuel is not coming out of the bleeder valve you might have a pin hole leak in the fuel line from the tank to the filter. happened to me and fussed and fessed and replaced the lines and walla. engines are ver simple. if it has fuel to engine and compression it should go. the list goes as follows. at tank make sure strain is clear and at the filter make sure fuel gets there and check filter for proper seal so it can suck fuel. bleed and make sure when you crank it spurts fuel. crank while the bleer valve is open and when it catches turn it off.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.