YANMAR, Should You Warm The Engine?

[Stu Jackson]

It's about time someone like Abe said it

You do NOT need to sit at your dock spewing fumes at your neighbors. Get your boat ready, start the engine and if you have a new regulator on your alternator, by the time the tach starts working in 25 to 45 seconds, cast off the lines and go. You should be moving slowly through your marina until you get out to open water. By that time the engine is warmed up and ready to go. You should have already checked the oil level and quality, assured that the fan belt is still connected and that there is water in the manifold. If your oil pump seizes and your oil pressure goes south, it could do so at anytime, at the dock, in the fairway or once you're out. I abhor those dock "mates" who are so inconsiderate that they leave their engines on for 15 minutes before they leave. It (literally and figuratively) stinks.Stu[And, like Fred, we've all finished our shopping in August! Hi, Fred, thanks for the kind words the other day. Happy Holidays, nice to see you back regularly.]

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Hi Stu!

Thank you too! But I don't recall going away. Maybe I've been hanging out at a Classic Camaro site or a Duramax site too,,,,

 

[John Nantz]

Use Hot Water Heater

To help heat the engine up faster turn on the hot water heater with shore power connected. The thermostat starts to open at 42ºC (108ºF) and is fully open at 52ºC. Once the engine is up to 42 and the thermostat starts to open then the hot water from the water heater will be able to assist in warming the engine.

 

[TT23844]

Yanmar warm-up

Yanmars are no different than any marine diesel in that you only need to run the engine long enuf to get the lube oil circulating, ensure water is coming out of the exhaust etc. Then cast off and put the engine under light load, part throttle, untill it gets up to temp. Diesels are reluctant to get properly warmed up without a load, and running (idleing) without any prop load can eventually cause the cylinder walls to glaze and the rings to gum up. For max. engine life, run under light load, part throttle, untill the temp is up , then run for a few mins at least at 3/4+ throttle to give the engine a bit of a workout. A lot of other factors enter into the equasion: after all, you've presumably bought a sailboat to go sailing, not to get the max life out of the aux. power plant,so you've got to arrive at a compromise. But for max. engine life: start, verify & go (slowly) untill warm, then go hard for a bit.If you want to do well by your engine, make sure the fuel is fresh & squeaky clean and the lube oil & filters are changed regularly: take care of it and it'll probably outlive you.

 

[Mac Lindsay]

warm up

I was told by more than one diesel mechanic, that you should warm up your diesel in gear at idle for about 5 minutes before using. Also, I was told that before turning off the diesel to let it idle in neutral, for about 5 minutes, to bring down the tempertature. I have been ding that for over 22 years and my Yanmar 13 hp diesel still runs great. Q. If it's called common sense, why is it so rare.Mac.

 

[NYSail]

Light Load

If at the dock I put the boat in gear at idle....Does this count as a light load (good dock lines a must!!)?Greg

 

[rdavis18724]

In theory, what's the difference in trucks idling

for hours on-end and marine diesels doing the same?Thanks in advance,-R

 

[Franklin]

No difference

But they do it to keep warm/cool. They figure that the carbon buildup will be burnt off as soon as they hit the road again.

 

[Paul Akers]

Straight from My Yanmar Manual

Look at the 8th comment posted in this thread and I'll tell you exactly what I read from my manual.