Diesel engine newbie question...

[hellosailor]

And if you are not using a 0W- or 5W- winterweight oil, anything like a "straight 30" will be congealing and making cold starts much much harder than they need to be.

[Mipcar]

If your motor does not have glowplugs. Some don't, Crank the engine over a few times with throttle closed and holding the idle cut-off lever open, the one that stops fuel to the injector pump.
The rational is that it generates some heat in the combustion chambers by not allowing fuel in to cool things.
Then set your throttle, release the cut off leave, crank again and it should be a goer.
I was taught this trick and it made so much difference to the starting.

Mychael

[Dumah]

I have to take exception to the remark that there is no difference between diesel and gas engines. Firstly, I have seen too many violent holes in the water with gassers being started without operating bilge blowers both fitted and operated for at least 10 minutes before starting. Also having an ingition system (read spark plugs and wires) gassers are not happy with even splashes of any water, raw or fresh. Except as noted in previous posts, most marine diesels once started need no electricity to run. Yes, injector systems are expensive but as long as you are religious with your filter maintainence will give long and trouble free service. Read the manufacturers instructions and keep them holy. Diesels rule....Cheers,Dumah, Halifax, NS