What kind of engine problem do you experience most often? Does yours overheat, fail to start, belch black smoke, suck air into the fuel line and die, all of the above? What do you do when that happens? Do you fix it yourself or holler for the diesel repair guy? Or do you have that perfect engine that never misbehaves?
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Occasional Overheating.
Our Yanmar 2GM 20G has had a couple of episodes of overheating over the last 15 years. Almost every time it has been some type of blockage in the intake. From the thru hull to the raw water strainer. It will also overheat if we run it too hard, but that is because we are slightly over proped. If we keep the RPM's under 3000rpm's it is just fine. The only time this engine has failed to start/keep running is after we had it serviced. The mechanic had air in the fuel line. The engine has somewhere around 900 hours on it and seems as strong as the day we got the boat.
Our Yanmar 2GM 20G has had a couple of episodes of overheating over the last 15 years. Almost every time it has been some type of blockage in the intake. From the thru hull to the raw water strainer. It will also overheat if we run it too hard, but that is because we are slightly over proped. If we keep the RPM's under 3000rpm's it is just fine. The only time this engine has failed to start/keep running is after we had it serviced. The mechanic had air in the fuel line. The engine has somewhere around 900 hours on it and seems as strong as the day we got the boat.
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Paul Akers
Developing Black Smoke
After approximately 700 hours on the engine, it's starting to show some black smoke. I feel that this is only an injector adjustment and will be removing them this spring and send them out for service. This is the first time. I've overheated on two occasions. Once due to a clogged elbow entering the strainer. And once when I ran full throttle for a few minutes (now I know better - stay below 80 percent throttle). Otherwise my 3HM35F perform flawlessly.
After approximately 700 hours on the engine, it's starting to show some black smoke. I feel that this is only an injector adjustment and will be removing them this spring and send them out for service. This is the first time. I've overheated on two occasions. Once due to a clogged elbow entering the strainer. And once when I ran full throttle for a few minutes (now I know better - stay below 80 percent throttle). Otherwise my 3HM35F perform flawlessly.
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Dick Carey
Black Smoke with 2GM20F
Paul, I, too, had some black smoke on my 2GM20F. It had about 800 Hrs. on it and it was 10 years old at the time. I was advised that it may well be the Mixing Elbow (where engine exhaust and engine cooling seawater mix). I had mine changed. I bought a new mixing elbow and the male-male nipple and had the yard change them. The elbow wasn't completely colgged but it was restricted by soot build up which caused back pressure and caused the engine to burn inefficiently, which caused the black smoke. I was told by Mack Boring Rep. & by an independent diesel mechanic that after 7 to 10 years the mixing elbow needs to be changed. After the change the black smoke stopped and fuel efficiency went from 0.4 GPH (season avg.) down to 0.3 GHP (season avg.). I'm glad I made the change. Dick Carey S/V Puffin
Paul, I, too, had some black smoke on my 2GM20F. It had about 800 Hrs. on it and it was 10 years old at the time. I was advised that it may well be the Mixing Elbow (where engine exhaust and engine cooling seawater mix). I had mine changed. I bought a new mixing elbow and the male-male nipple and had the yard change them. The elbow wasn't completely colgged but it was restricted by soot build up which caused back pressure and caused the engine to burn inefficiently, which caused the black smoke. I was told by Mack Boring Rep. & by an independent diesel mechanic that after 7 to 10 years the mixing elbow needs to be changed. After the change the black smoke stopped and fuel efficiency went from 0.4 GPH (season avg.) down to 0.3 GHP (season avg.). I'm glad I made the change. Dick Carey S/V Puffin
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Paul Akers
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Rich Wallace
Looks Like Overheating Takes The Prize
I have a 3GMF and the only problem I have had is overheating on two occasions. Both times were from weeds that were restricting the flow in the raw water strainer. When we are cruising, I try to check the engine at least once an hour for leaks and each time I put my hand on the mixing elbow. Even at 3000 rpm it will only be warm. If it is uncomfortable to the touch, I slowly idle down over a few minutes to allow the engine to cool slowly and then shut it down and clean the strainer. Upon start up it is immediately cool and we are on our way. I also purchased a new elbow this spring, but after inspecting the old one I decided that would be a next-winter project. I pulled off the exhaust hose and using a mirror and a light, inspected the elbow. It had some build up but the passages were not restricted so I decided to leave well enough alone. A couple of other suggestions. Be sure to change the small Yanmar fuel filter and if you do not have one, install a water seperator/filter before the fuel pump. Secondly, install new fan belts to insure that the engine water pumps are turning. If you have a freshwater cooled engine, the impeller in the raw water pump needs to be inspected and replace if you see any cracking. (Replace it anyway, they don't cost that much and it is great insurance.) Good Luck!
I have a 3GMF and the only problem I have had is overheating on two occasions. Both times were from weeds that were restricting the flow in the raw water strainer. When we are cruising, I try to check the engine at least once an hour for leaks and each time I put my hand on the mixing elbow. Even at 3000 rpm it will only be warm. If it is uncomfortable to the touch, I slowly idle down over a few minutes to allow the engine to cool slowly and then shut it down and clean the strainer. Upon start up it is immediately cool and we are on our way. I also purchased a new elbow this spring, but after inspecting the old one I decided that would be a next-winter project. I pulled off the exhaust hose and using a mirror and a light, inspected the elbow. It had some build up but the passages were not restricted so I decided to leave well enough alone. A couple of other suggestions. Be sure to change the small Yanmar fuel filter and if you do not have one, install a water seperator/filter before the fuel pump. Secondly, install new fan belts to insure that the engine water pumps are turning. If you have a freshwater cooled engine, the impeller in the raw water pump needs to be inspected and replace if you see any cracking. (Replace it anyway, they don't cost that much and it is great insurance.) Good Luck!
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Rob Rich
Probably shouldn't say this, but..
I have an Atomic 4 and it is a great little machine. Had one impellar failure on it that I blame on the previous owner (who had not changed it in four years). Other than that, great little beast! Rob
I have an Atomic 4 and it is a great little machine. Had one impellar failure on it that I blame on the previous owner (who had not changed it in four years). Other than that, great little beast! Rob
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