Can you hand-crank a Yanmar 15 hp?

micheck · #1 (**permalink**) 09-12-2011

Can I feasibly hand-crank a Yanmar 2 cylinder 2YM15?

Charles

SHNOOL · #2 (**permalink**) 09-12-2011

um, it was how we got Dad's started in 1981, on a brandy new Volvo Penta (many years ago, dead bettery, new boat). Poor guy who did it though whacked the snot out of his hand (broken thumb I believe).

I wouldn't if you had a choice.

FarCry · #3 (**permalink**) 09-13-2011

I've started my that way years ago when I first got the boat just to see if it was possible. For background, I've also hand cranked old tractors and a few Cessna aircraft.

SlowButSteady · #4 (**permalink**) 09-13-2011

I once tried to hand-crank my 2gm20, after I had a few beers. After about 15 minutes, I decided that I either wasn't sober enough, or drunk enough, to get it running. It's sort of a two person job; person one cranks, person two flips the decompression do-dads at the critical moment (and then proceeds to give person one CPR).

emoney · #5 (**permalink**) 09-13-2011

I've never tried it, but I'd be very, very careful if I did. Guy could get his arm broke doing something like that. But, then again, I'm always taking the easy way out.

casey1999 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-13-2011

I see on my Yanmar 3gm (in manual) it says you can hand crank to start. I actually tried to find a yanmar hand crank. Only one I could find was a used one in Europe- too expensive considering the shipping. My engine access is very tight (reverse mount v-drive) so it would be very hard to do. I now carry a spare starter- if that won't start her I will be looking for a tow! I was also concerned about getting hurt- like others have posted.

apogee1mars · #7 (**permalink**) 09-13-2011

The Yanmar readily will submit to hand cranking. If you have some forethought you can really simplify the procedure A large ratchet and an extension with a socket over the crank pulley nut is always a winner. Or a modified pulley bolted on to the harmonic dampener to wind a pull rope work too. Both keep your hands out of the mix.

hellosailor · #8 (**permalink**) 09-13-2011

Unlikley that you can hand crank any diesel that has a hand crank with it. Usually there is so little room that you can't get any leverage or speed, and then you need to insert another person to reach and work the decompression lever, and usually someone gets hurt with the crank, or exhausted, before anything fires up.

It is a wonderful theory but in practice? Carry a spare 17AH battery and a day tank of clean fuel. And leave the crank at home.

Oddly enough, a 17AH battery, the kind found in many of those "jump packs" or portable power kits, can start a healthy 10-20hp diesel without complaint. then you stash it away for a spare radio battery, or dead cars, or whatever.

apogee1mars · #9 (**permalink**) 09-13-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Unlikley that you can hand crank any diesel that has a hand crank with it. Usually there is so little room that you can't get any leverage or speed, and then you need to insert another person to reach and work the decompression lever, and usually someone gets hurt with the crank, or exhausted, before anything fires up.

It is a wonderful theory but in practice? Carry a spare 17AH battery and a day tank of clean fuel. And leave the crank at home.

Oddly enough, a 17AH battery, the kind found in many of those "jump packs" or portable power kits, can start a healthy 10-20hp diesel without complaint. then you stash it away for a spare radio battery, or dead cars, or whatever.

I agree. A SCUBA tank and an air gun hooked up to a ratcheted socket over the crank pulley will work if the engine will run at all. A compression release for larger engines could become a factor depending on the handles of the air gun. I do not see a problem with a two cylinder Yanmar without a compression release. As far as the room to perform the task this is where the fore thought comes into play. A precisely drill hole aligned with the crank pulley drilled through the engine cover will act as a brace for the extension and is easily covered when not in use. Just a suggestion that will not work in all applications. Always good to have plan "B". Another thing that is always good is to have an alternate intake hose set up for the engine cooling system. In times of need the aux can be used as a bilge pump. There are a few things that a person can do with what is already available. Exp: Have a belt pulley already slid on the output shaft and a place to mount your genset next to it. You can disconnect the output shaft coupler from the engine and throw a fan belt around the pulley on the prop shaft to a pulley on the gen set and make way under the power of the genset if push comes to shove. It seems like busy work until it is needed and then all of the greybeard tricks start to make sense....m

Chris12345 · #10 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011

I have often read that advice, but doubt that it really is a good idea: A small diesel cooling water pump pumps next to nothing, but this setup is a surefire way of clogging the pump with debris and loosing the engine when you are already dealing with water in the boat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by apogee1mars

... Another thing that is always good is to have an alternate intake hose set up for the engine cooling system. In times of need the aux can be used as a bilge pump. ...m