Testing inboard engine

[kair]

Has anyone tested their inboard engine while on the hard? I know you need to have water intake for cooling, but has anyone devised a way to do that? I like to test the engine prior to launching it in the water, only to take it out if problems develops.

Thanks

Steve

 

[Ed Schenck]

By testing do you mean to run it for several minutes? Every season I would start my engine while still on the cradle. But only for a short stint, enough to know that the starter is good and the fuel is flowing. To do that I just put the sea water hose into a bucket of water.

You could do the same thing but have a hose running into the bucket. Try to regulate the hose input to match the engine output. You could run it all day if the marina doesn't mind the stream of water. Where I used to be it would flow down through the marina parking lot.

I never liked to start it dry but some do. I worry about the pump impeller spinning in there with no water.

 

[s sauer]

Assuming the engine starts; which it should; assuming the hose in the bucket flow allows you to keep it running till everything is warmed up; which it presumably would--- what would you have accomplished that couldn't be done easier in the water next spring?
You can't effectively check the engine alignment; you shouldn't put it in gear; you can't effectively verify that the shaft log and stuffing box will not be leaking badly until it's in the water; and that last issue may be the only reason you'd need to haul out anyway, not the operation of the engine.
Is the boat new to you or you haven't previously inspected it in the water?

 

[Ed Schenck]

Geez, now there has to be a reason!? Well here is mine. When they are splashing several boats a day at the crane you had better be able to get out of the way. It is really embarrassing to tie up a travel lift because there's no way to get your boat to the slip.

 

[kair]

same reason with Ed. I just bought the boat, and will be working on the engine. I just want to know if fuel is flowing, and it works and cranks up. when it hits the water and it leaks, then it has to come out. it it doesn't it would be embarrasing not having your engine start as required to go to the slip and out of the way.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

As others have said, there is nothing difficult about checking the engine while on the hard - just be careful with the cooling water hose so as to preclude pressurizing the cooling system thereby flooding the engine and the cradle or stands are secure for obvious reasons

 

[Stu Jackson]

If that's all you want to do

then take the raw water impeller out of the raw water pump, start the engine to assure yourself it's working for that short time, and then reassemble the raw water pump - or use the bucket method. NEVER EVER connect the raw water system directly to a hose.

 

[kair]

Re: If that's all you want to do

Ed,
I like your system with the bucket. Where is the sea water hose? From my manual, is there a Kingston sea cock at ther bottom of the hull? Does this hose go to the water pump?

Thanks.

 

[kair]

Re: If that's all you want to do

Stu,
Why do you not connect the hose to the raw water system?

 

[Nelson]

Works for me

Each fall after my hunter in on the hard I run the engine by disconnecting the water intake hose from the water pump. I have an extra hose the right length with a hose clamp that I put on the water pump and the other end in a 5 gal bucket of water. I run a garden hose with a twist nozzle and adjust the flow from the water hose to match the speed that the water is sucked out. After about 10 min. I switch to a bucket of antifreeze (non toxic) and run about 2 gal into through. Then I turn it off, button it up and now that the engine is warm I change the oil.

In the spring I change all the fuel filters and run the engine again with the bucket trick, but I skip the anti freeze, to make sure I don't have air in the system.

Been doing it this way for more than 15 years......

Just make sure you reconnect the water hose from the hull (or have turned closed the thru hull) our you'll be under water when you splash the boat.

Good luck,

Howard

 

[Ed Schenck]

Looks like Stu is suggesting that you run the engine briefly without water. His idea is to remove the impeller while you are doing it so as not to damage it running dry. Too much trouble in my mind unless you already have a pump gasket and are going to replace the impeller anyway.

I disconnect the hose that leads from the seacock to the strainer. Same as when I winterize. I have a short piece of hose with a nipple that I attach to that hose. That extension hose goes into the bucket.

 

[John T1594]

Jackstands

Make sure that your jackstands are well secured with chains and on firm ground. Those little Yanmars can really shake and it would be evn more embarassing to have your boat fall over.

 

[Tim Dalton]

flush out valve

Yep, I echo the comment that it is always wise to know that your engine turns over, that it is flushed at the end of the season etc. My yard won't move a boat in the spring unless the engine has been started.

What I did is splice a flushout valve between the seacock and the engine right on the raw water intake line. I can't remember then name of the valve but bought it from West or Defender. The flush out valve has a hose fitting on the top of it that you can screw a hose onto. Shut your intake seacock, turn on a little pressure and you can run your engine for as long as you like. It works very well. I also use it to draw antifreeze into the engine in the fall.

 

[kair]

Re: flush out valve

Guys,
After an exhausting time bleeding the fuel lines, my trusty yanmar started up. It hasn't been started up for 3 years. I was about to call a diesel mech. but it started on my last attempt. Had it run for 15 minutes at the yard and then 3 days later 3.5 hours to motor to her new home.

Thanks guys for all the assistance.

Steve

 

[enovillo]

Running engine on the hard - water strainer

Hi all,

I recently became the proud owner of a 1982 Hunter 33. This is the first boat I've owned that has a diesel engine (original Yanmar 2GM). Being totally engine-challenged, I've started to study Calder's book on marine diesels.

This thread was interesting to me because I intend to start the engine while the boat is on her cradle, before launching in a couple of weeks. My plan is to disconnect the raw water hose from its seacock and put it in a bucket, then start the engine and let it run for no more than a couple of minutes. This way I'll be sure it runs and I'll be able to move from the dock to my slip after launching.

However, it ocurred to me that instead of disconnecting the water, I could just open the water strainer lid and feed it water as it's sucked. The water strainer is not original, it has a transparent lid that I can unscrew, and it's placed at a very convenient place. Is this silly? Am I missing something obvious that makes this technique impracticable?

Thanks for your opinions!

 

[Maine Sail]

Feeding the strainer..

However, it ocurred to me that instead of disconnecting the water, I could just open the water strainer lid and feed it water as it's sucked. The water strainer is not original, it has a transparent lid that I can unscrew, and it's placed at a very convenient place. Is this silly? Am I missing something obvious that makes this technique impracticable?

Thanks for your opinions!

What you're missing is the speed at which a raw water pump can suck water. My Westerbeke can drain a five gallon bucket between 45 & 60 seconds depending upon RPM. You'd have a very tough time keeping your impeller from sucking air feeding the strainer.

The in/out bucket is the preferred method. As others have said NEVER, EVER connect pressurized water (garden hose) to your engine!

With a garden hose feeding your5 gal bucket, and using an adjustable hose nozzle, you can very easily balance the in/out flow of the bucket and allow the motor can run up to temp. If the bucket is draining too fast simply slow the engine RPM a little. If the bucket is climbing and about to over flow give it a little more RPM or adjust the hose nozzle.

 

[kair]

I second Maine Sail comments.

Having tested my Yanmar on the hard, the water intake from the 5 gal bucket was faster than my garden hose could provide. It ran for about 7-10 minutes before I had to shut her down because the bucket was being depleted.

Go with the in/out bucket.

Steve

 

[enovillo]

Thanks guys. I'll go with the bucket method.