I’ve asked numerous operators if they allow their engines to warm-up prior to leaving their slip. It appears there are differing opinions on the topic. Some wait until the docklines are nearly off before even starting the motor. Others allow the motor to reach a specific temp. Since I don’t have the original Yanmar manual to my 2cyl, 18hp GM and couldn’t find anything at the Yanmar site that references this question. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance -R
YANMAR, Should You Warm The Engine?
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Most don't have gauges, so how would they know?
R: Most of the Yanmar's don't have gauges, so how would one really know when the engine has reached "operating temp". I think if you look at the attached site, you will get an expert opinion of this matter.
R: Most of the Yanmar's don't have gauges, so how would one really know when the engine has reached "operating temp". I think if you look at the attached site, you will get an expert opinion of this matter.
Yanmar 1GM
Ours does not run smoothly if we put it in gear before a warm-up. Normally, I give it about 5 to 10 minutes before putting it into gear. As a minimum, I warm up long enough to know that it is not going to overheat. I don't want to be underway when the alarm goes off!
Ours does not run smoothly if we put it in gear before a warm-up. Normally, I give it about 5 to 10 minutes before putting it into gear. As a minimum, I warm up long enough to know that it is not going to overheat. I don't want to be underway when the alarm goes off!
Yeah, it's not temperature that's the problem.
But oil pressure. And just a few seconds of run time takes care of those worries.
But oil pressure. And just a few seconds of run time takes care of those worries.
About the same length of time
as the engine in my car. I get in, start the engine fasten my seat belt, check my gauges, and back out of my driveway. With the boat, we stow our supplies start the engine, drop the dock lines and shift into gear at an idle, and take her out. Once the oil pressure is up unless it is very cold weather you should be good to go. If you are blowing white smoke wait until that clears. Very cold diesels do blow white smoke.
as the engine in my car. I get in, start the engine fasten my seat belt, check my gauges, and back out of my driveway. With the boat, we stow our supplies start the engine, drop the dock lines and shift into gear at an idle, and take her out. Once the oil pressure is up unless it is very cold weather you should be good to go. If you are blowing white smoke wait until that clears. Very cold diesels do blow white smoke.
Another reason to warm
We are on a mooring so we warm the engine for two reasons. The first reason is since we are on a mooring, warming the engine helps charhe the batteries. The second reason is the Yanmar engine is a little hesitant to start on the intial start of the day. By warming the engine before we leave the mooring, it usually starts right away when we are returning to the mooring field or in possible immergency situations while sailing. FWIW, I would rather sit on the starter switch on the mooring than while steering, watching the sails, assessing the sea conditions, watching MOB, etc.
We are on a mooring so we warm the engine for two reasons. The first reason is since we are on a mooring, warming the engine helps charhe the batteries. The second reason is the Yanmar engine is a little hesitant to start on the intial start of the day. By warming the engine before we leave the mooring, it usually starts right away when we are returning to the mooring field or in possible immergency situations while sailing. FWIW, I would rather sit on the starter switch on the mooring than while steering, watching the sails, assessing the sea conditions, watching MOB, etc.
The Manual Says...
...my manual (1GM10F, 2GM20F, 3GM30F, 3HM35F) says that the HM should warm up for 5 mins at 1000rpm or 10 mins at 500 rpm. This is to ensure it will run, but also to distribute the oil throughout the engine before taking off. I think I am the only person on my dock who does this except for the gas engine power boats. The may easily stall if not warmed up.
...my manual (1GM10F, 2GM20F, 3GM30F, 3HM35F) says that the HM should warm up for 5 mins at 1000rpm or 10 mins at 500 rpm. This is to ensure it will run, but also to distribute the oil throughout the engine before taking off. I think I am the only person on my dock who does this except for the gas engine power boats. The may easily stall if not warmed up.
I Know It's Counter-Intuitive...
...but the Yanmar guy said specifically that it is better to warm it up to operating temp with a light load than without a load. FWIW. I sorta compromise by waiting until the temp needle moves, then backing out and proceeding at 1500 RPM until the temp gets up to normal range (which happens pretty fast). RD
...but the Yanmar guy said specifically that it is better to warm it up to operating temp with a light load than without a load. FWIW. I sorta compromise by waiting until the temp needle moves, then backing out and proceeding at 1500 RPM until the temp gets up to normal range (which happens pretty fast). RD
Of course you warm it up
ANY engine that uses oil SHOULD ABSOLUTLY BE AT OPERATING TEMP before you toss your lines.If you don't have a oil pressure or a water temp gauge use your head................ wait 15 minutes or so. I cannot belive that any one would EVEN CONSIDER NOT WARMING UP A CRITICAL AND POSSIBLY LIFE SAVING COMPONENT ON YOUR BOAT .........GEEEEEEEEZ.
ANY engine that uses oil SHOULD ABSOLUTLY BE AT OPERATING TEMP before you toss your lines.If you don't have a oil pressure or a water temp gauge use your head................ wait 15 minutes or so. I cannot belive that any one would EVEN CONSIDER NOT WARMING UP A CRITICAL AND POSSIBLY LIFE SAVING COMPONENT ON YOUR BOAT .........GEEEEEEEEZ.
Geeeez
That's what I say Captain. Some boats here in Puget Sound that are fresh water cooled with ice water, would never leave the slip waiting to be warmed up..... heh heh .
That's what I say Captain. Some boats here in Puget Sound that are fresh water cooled with ice water, would never leave the slip waiting to be warmed up..... heh heh .
You have to let the oil thin down
to its working viscocity for optimum lubrication and allow the metal components to expand to their working tolerances. Yanmars do not take kindly to extended idling in neutral but at least a 5 minute warm up is necessary followed by motoring in gear for another 5 minutes under 1,200 rpm. This should extend the life of your engine.
to its working viscocity for optimum lubrication and allow the metal components to expand to their working tolerances. Yanmars do not take kindly to extended idling in neutral but at least a 5 minute warm up is necessary followed by motoring in gear for another 5 minutes under 1,200 rpm. This should extend the life of your engine.
geez
That's why the U.S.C.G. and Tow Boat U.S.are as busy as they are. Any diesel engine can run forever as long as they are properly lubricated,inner or after cooled. I would love to have a Yanmar Tech tell me that they don't take kindly to extended periods of idling. If this is true,then the engine might as well be used as an anchor.Iv'e been at this 30+ years.Trust me on this.
That's why the U.S.C.G. and Tow Boat U.S.are as busy as they are. Any diesel engine can run forever as long as they are properly lubricated,inner or after cooled. I would love to have a Yanmar Tech tell me that they don't take kindly to extended periods of idling. If this is true,then the engine might as well be used as an anchor.Iv'e been at this 30+ years.Trust me on this.
Capy 919 the USCG and Tow Boat US are not busy
because people are not warming up their engine at their slips. That's a friggin ridiculous statement *o. When was the last time you heard or saw a Coasty arrive at the marina helping someone with their engine. They never do that, they haven't for years . Thier new mandate is to only go to help a boater when human life or limb is in danger. Also I know the local Tow Boat people and talk to them alot. I don't think I ever recall seeing that they had to go rescue a boat because they didnt warm up the engine a full 15 minutes before . And if they ever did its a very rare occurance. I don't disagree that warming up an engine to operating temperature isn't a good thing to do. It is. Implying that disaster will strike your engine if you don't wait 15 minutes or until the temp gets up to 165 deg is an exaggeration. Temps are important for efficiently running an engine, but the one thing that IS critical is Oil Pressure and it doesn't take 15 minutes or the Engine to get to a few minutes are fine. In fact if you have to wait 15 minutes for the Oil Pressure to become adequate then you have a LOT bigger problem . In a good working engine Oil Pressure should be up to operating conditions in a few seconds, if it doesn't then you do have issues Also you don't need a Yanmar Tech to tell you that extended periods of idling over a very long period of time can cause problems in a deisel engine. Almost ANY marine deisel mechanic will. Now I am not talking about 15 minutes for a warm up, thats absoluetly fine. I am talking about running your deisel for hours and hours and hours with a very light load. That can and will lead to issues. Deisels are meant to be run under a decent load, thats when they will last virtually forever.
because people are not warming up their engine at their slips. That's a friggin ridiculous statement *o. When was the last time you heard or saw a Coasty arrive at the marina helping someone with their engine. They never do that, they haven't for years . Thier new mandate is to only go to help a boater when human life or limb is in danger. Also I know the local Tow Boat people and talk to them alot. I don't think I ever recall seeing that they had to go rescue a boat because they didnt warm up the engine a full 15 minutes before . And if they ever did its a very rare occurance. I don't disagree that warming up an engine to operating temperature isn't a good thing to do. It is. Implying that disaster will strike your engine if you don't wait 15 minutes or until the temp gets up to 165 deg is an exaggeration. Temps are important for efficiently running an engine, but the one thing that IS critical is Oil Pressure and it doesn't take 15 minutes or the Engine to get to a few minutes are fine. In fact if you have to wait 15 minutes for the Oil Pressure to become adequate then you have a LOT bigger problem . In a good working engine Oil Pressure should be up to operating conditions in a few seconds, if it doesn't then you do have issues Also you don't need a Yanmar Tech to tell you that extended periods of idling over a very long period of time can cause problems in a deisel engine. Almost ANY marine deisel mechanic will. Now I am not talking about 15 minutes for a warm up, thats absoluetly fine. I am talking about running your deisel for hours and hours and hours with a very light load. That can and will lead to issues. Deisels are meant to be run under a decent load, thats when they will last virtually forever.
There is much discussion on this forum
about diesel engines and how they should be run. First of all multiviscosity oils are blended to provide lubrication to cold engines and still have enough viscosity to serve in a hot engine. As to running a diesel at a low percentage of its rated capacity, I think that is in large measure, myth. Most production boats are significantly over powered by the builders. The propeller determines the load on the engine at any speed. My boat requires 5 hp to make 4.5 knots. my best speed is 5.5 on my ten horse diesel. Fuel consumption doubles for that extra knot and the boat just drops her stern and rides her bow wave. Bietzpadlin is a very tradition hull form at 30 feet overall and about a 25 foot water line and 4.5 tons. If I still had the Atomic four that was rated at thirty hp I would still need only five horsepower to run at 4.5 kts and ten hp would still bury the stern. So the question is : How can you run an over size diesel at 60-75 percent load in a boat that can't absorb more than 10-15 horse power?
about diesel engines and how they should be run. First of all multiviscosity oils are blended to provide lubrication to cold engines and still have enough viscosity to serve in a hot engine. As to running a diesel at a low percentage of its rated capacity, I think that is in large measure, myth. Most production boats are significantly over powered by the builders. The propeller determines the load on the engine at any speed. My boat requires 5 hp to make 4.5 knots. my best speed is 5.5 on my ten horse diesel. Fuel consumption doubles for that extra knot and the boat just drops her stern and rides her bow wave. Bietzpadlin is a very tradition hull form at 30 feet overall and about a 25 foot water line and 4.5 tons. If I still had the Atomic four that was rated at thirty hp I would still need only five horsepower to run at 4.5 kts and ten hp would still bury the stern. So the question is : How can you run an over size diesel at 60-75 percent load in a boat that can't absorb more than 10-15 horse power?
What causes engine problems in diesels.
Hi folks, have been following this thread with intrest. First, your engine is similar to your body, you wouldn't jump straight out of bed and run a marathon, you would warm up first. You wouldn't want to start the engine either and run wide open without warming it up. Most diesel mechanics will tell you that the thing that reduces the life on diesels is the buildup of sulfuric acid in the crankcase which is a result of normal combustion. If you change your oil regularly, the engine should outlive most of us out here on this forum. Hope that helps. Jack
Hi folks, have been following this thread with intrest. First, your engine is similar to your body, you wouldn't jump straight out of bed and run a marathon, you would warm up first. You wouldn't want to start the engine either and run wide open without warming it up. Most diesel mechanics will tell you that the thing that reduces the life on diesels is the buildup of sulfuric acid in the crankcase which is a result of normal combustion. If you change your oil regularly, the engine should outlive most of us out here on this forum. Hope that helps. Jack
What is the big deal?
Turn on the engine,,, get your dock lines in order, make sure water is coming out, turn instruments on, and any misc stuff. By that time 5+minutes gone by. Then you leave the docks, channel....by the time you get to where you can crank up the engine, for most of us its 15 minutes. There goes your engine warming under light load. And off you go.
Turn on the engine,,, get your dock lines in order, make sure water is coming out, turn instruments on, and any misc stuff. By that time 5+minutes gone by. Then you leave the docks, channel....by the time you get to where you can crank up the engine, for most of us its 15 minutes. There goes your engine warming under light load. And off you go.
Common sense
Agree completely with Abe. Use common sense (not always that common) and you'll be fine
Agree completely with Abe. Use common sense (not always that common) and you'll be fine
I think I know what's going on!
Most people here are MEN. If we weren't typing online we would have to be out Xmas shopping with our wives!
Most people here are MEN. If we weren't typing online we would have to be out Xmas shopping with our wives!
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