I have an O'Day 272 LE with a diesel engine. Since I have this boat (about 5 years) it has taken almost 2 1/2 minutes for the glow plug to get hot enough to start the engine. I was watching a video that shows the owner putting his finger on the glow plug and the starter button at the same time and the engine starts immediately. Is this normal? My engine has always started, but after watching the video I am wondering if there is something wrong with my glow plug that it takes so long.
O'Day 272 glow plug question
- Thread starter gjaffess
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I assume you have a universal engine. My glow plugs used to take a long time to heat, when I upgraded my alternator (55 to 100 amp) I rewired from the start switch to the starter and beyond, . We used heavy guage 2awg welding cables. Since then it heats up even in the coldest days in about 15 seconds.
Wire size is always critical in DC circuits.
Wire size is always critical in DC circuits.
Does your wiring to the glow plugs run all the way to the cockpit panel and then back? If so, install a glow plug solenoid: http://www.c34.org/projects/projects-glowplugs.html
I have the Westerbeke in my 87 272LE and I only need to heat the glowplug for 5 seconds before pressing the start button to fire her up. In cold weather 40-55 degrees, I have to hold it for 15 seconds.
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