Yanmar 3GM30F pre heating system

Feb 16, 2021
395
Hunter Legend 35.5 Bellingham
I have heard of pre heating systems that can be installed on the Yanmar 3GM series to help with cold starts, as this model does not have glow plugs. Does anyone have any knowledge, experience or recommendations in this regard? Is there a system I can install myself?
 
Jul 18, 2014
15
Hunter 34 Sydney
I must ask the question - where are you based, the Arctic?
Seriously, though, my 3GMF starts in coastal British Columbia right away, even at -5C (23F).
Two turns, it's running, smoothly within 5 seconds. And with straight 30w Shell.
Engine is 25 years since rebuild.
I've never understood how it does this without glow plugs, but there you go!
 
Dec 1, 2008
16
islandpacket 31 virginia
I have heard of pre heating systems that can be installed on the Yanmar 3GM series to help with cold starts, as this model does not have glow plugs. Does anyone have any knowledge, experience or recommendations in this regard? Is there a system I can install myself?
I've seen some on other boats that between the air intake and the airfilter. It's like a little toaster that heats the air. I don't have experience with that.
On another note the yanmar likes a fast crank. Make sure your battery is charged, don't over crank because you can get raw water into the engine. Don't ask how I know. If your at dock you could try a hair dryer in the air filter.
 

degas

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Aug 14, 2023
28
Tanzer 29 Lake Ontario
I have heard of pre heating systems that can be installed on the Yanmar 3GM series to help with cold starts, as this model does not have glow plugs. Does anyone have any knowledge, experience or recommendations in this regard? Is there a system I can install myself?
What kind of trouble are you having with cold weather starts? I was given 2 pieces of advice about cold starting my engine, both of which I don't follow:

1. Don't read the manual.
2. Light tea candles under the oil pan.

When the weather requires it I follow the cold start procedure in the manual. It works every time on my no-glow-plug 2GM20.
 
Nov 6, 2006
10,058
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
A very small air leak between the tank and the inlet of the lift pump can do that.. every connection and the hose and the packing of the tank shut off valve is a suspect. The check valves in the lift pump make iit unlikely that the connections past the lift pump would be suspects but look carefully at them too.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,842
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Here you go. How to start a diesel in sub freezing tempertures.
 
Sep 17, 2012
108
Morgan 383 Fairhaven, NY
My Perkins 4-108 initially took a bit of cranking to start. When it fired, it had white exhaust smoke until warm. My fuel tank was dirty, with a lot of algae and tar. I cleaned it out.
I had the injectors rebuilt and the smoke on startup ended. Still took some cranking to fire.
I adjusted the valve lash and the starting became instantaneous. The point is make sure your diesel is properly tuned and your fuel clean before adding gimmicks.