Until last fall my engine always started on the first one or two turns but all of a sudden in October I had to grind on the starter for an extended period before starting. The engine is a yanmar 8hp one cylinder diesel. Any ideas of what might be the problem? Thanks
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What haven't you done recently
Instead of what has changed, what hasn't changed? Is your fuel old? Have you NOT changed the fuel filters lately? Have you run some trashy (or watery) fuel through the injectors and not changed the tips? Or it could be the change in the weather-it got cooler in October and has been cool since. Remember diesel fire by compression not spark so cold fuel is harder to start. Maybe its just the winter blues and by May it will all be just a bad dream.
Instead of what has changed, what hasn't changed? Is your fuel old? Have you NOT changed the fuel filters lately? Have you run some trashy (or watery) fuel through the injectors and not changed the tips? Or it could be the change in the weather-it got cooler in October and has been cool since. Remember diesel fire by compression not spark so cold fuel is harder to start. Maybe its just the winter blues and by May it will all be just a bad dream.
May be too Cold?
That is when the weather turned cold. Though, it shouldn't make too much difference when starting except it will run noisy/rough until it warms up.
That is when the weather turned cold. Though, it shouldn't make too much difference when starting except it will run noisy/rough until it warms up.
Turn on your
glow plugs. Most diesels need that little extra warmth to start in cold weather. Ask anyone that has a diesel truck. Good luck! George
glow plugs. Most diesels need that little extra warmth to start in cold weather. Ask anyone that has a diesel truck. Good luck! George
No glow plugs
Yanmars do not have glow plugs so forget that piece of advice. Advance the throttle to 3/4 and engage the starter for no more than 15 seconds before resting it to avoid starter damge. DO NOT use starting fluid.
Yanmars do not have glow plugs so forget that piece of advice. Advance the throttle to 3/4 and engage the starter for no more than 15 seconds before resting it to avoid starter damge. DO NOT use starting fluid.
Flooding your engine with water
I can't remember the specifics (maybe someone with more knowledge can jump in). If you are in the water, there is the potential of flooding your engine with water if you crank too long without actually staring your engine. I think the impeller is bringing in water but without the force of the exhaust gas, the water builds up in the exhaust system. Anyone have more info on this hazard?
I can't remember the specifics (maybe someone with more knowledge can jump in). If you are in the water, there is the potential of flooding your engine with water if you crank too long without actually staring your engine. I think the impeller is bringing in water but without the force of the exhaust gas, the water builds up in the exhaust system. Anyone have more info on this hazard?
I think that Yanmars...
... are good engines, but basically cold hearted beasts. I've got a 2GM20F in my boat that starts and runs well for a 20 yr old engine. When it starts to get cold around Deale (like October....), my engine gets a bit more difficult to start, perhaps like yours. Assuming all the obvious is ok (i.e., good fuel, clean filters, no corrosion in the wiring harness, etc.), what I do is help the engine a bit on cold days. I plug in a small electric hair dryer and aim it at the air intake. The engine sucks in nice warm air and thinks its 80-deg outside and starts right up. Give it a try. PS: If you are cranking your engine for more than 30 seconds or so, close the raw water intake first to avoid water filling your muffler and backing into the engine. Remember to open it as soon as the engine fires... Also, another possible problem could be that your exhaust elbow is coking up and not allowing the engine to breathe. It may have to be replaced.
... are good engines, but basically cold hearted beasts. I've got a 2GM20F in my boat that starts and runs well for a 20 yr old engine. When it starts to get cold around Deale (like October....), my engine gets a bit more difficult to start, perhaps like yours. Assuming all the obvious is ok (i.e., good fuel, clean filters, no corrosion in the wiring harness, etc.), what I do is help the engine a bit on cold days. I plug in a small electric hair dryer and aim it at the air intake. The engine sucks in nice warm air and thinks its 80-deg outside and starts right up. Give it a try. PS: If you are cranking your engine for more than 30 seconds or so, close the raw water intake first to avoid water filling your muffler and backing into the engine. Remember to open it as soon as the engine fires... Also, another possible problem could be that your exhaust elbow is coking up and not allowing the engine to breathe. It may have to be replaced.
yep
I stand corrected from before. My Yanmar doesn't have glow plugs either. Crazy because the manual talks about using them and the key has a position for it. I used to be a diesel mechanic in the army many years ago and every diesel engine we had, had some kind of mechanism to warm the engine or the fuel or the air. Warren's idea is a good one. If it doesn't work, then try warming up the fuel line with the hair dryer before starting and then blowing in the warm air into the air intake while cranking. If that doesn't do it, you have another problem somewhere.
I stand corrected from before. My Yanmar doesn't have glow plugs either. Crazy because the manual talks about using them and the key has a position for it. I used to be a diesel mechanic in the army many years ago and every diesel engine we had, had some kind of mechanism to warm the engine or the fuel or the air. Warren's idea is a good one. If it doesn't work, then try warming up the fuel line with the hair dryer before starting and then blowing in the warm air into the air intake while cranking. If that doesn't do it, you have another problem somewhere.
Probably cold but....
The only thing that dislikes cold more than me is Yanmar engines. Below 45 my 2gm20 won't start. Using a hair dryer sounds like a good idea. (Why didn't I think of that??) Also, there is a pressure release lever on top of the engine that releases pressure in the cylinder. Try releasing pressure, then get the engine cranking fast, and release the lever. It may get enough compression to start. Also, on my last boat, a '78 H27, the head developed a worm hole at the head gasket and lost compression. I doped it up with gasket sealer but the head had to be replaced about 5 years later. The heads on the 1 cylinders usually last about 20 years. Those heads aren't too expensive. Contact Mack Boring if you need a new one.
The only thing that dislikes cold more than me is Yanmar engines. Below 45 my 2gm20 won't start. Using a hair dryer sounds like a good idea. (Why didn't I think of that??) Also, there is a pressure release lever on top of the engine that releases pressure in the cylinder. Try releasing pressure, then get the engine cranking fast, and release the lever. It may get enough compression to start. Also, on my last boat, a '78 H27, the head developed a worm hole at the head gasket and lost compression. I doped it up with gasket sealer but the head had to be replaced about 5 years later. The heads on the 1 cylinders usually last about 20 years. Those heads aren't too expensive. Contact Mack Boring if you need a new one.
this was my probleem
If it is not fuel there is a gasket on the injectors and if there is a small crack it makes it very difficult to start due to lack of compression in the cylinder.
If it is not fuel there is a gasket on the injectors and if there is a small crack it makes it very difficult to start due to lack of compression in the cylinder.
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