can any Human hand start a Yanmar 2QM or 2GM?

hertfordnc · #1 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

I'd love to be able to do this. The ability to hand start the engine would take so much anxiety away. My chain was rusted stiff so I replaced it. But no matter how fast I get it spinning it stops instantly when I close the compression.

I figure they put it on there for a reason. Do some of these engines come with heavier flywheels?

arf145 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

What chain is that?

hertfordnc · #3 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by arf145

What chain is that?

There is a chain on the front of the engine for the hand crank. It's ratcheted so it can rotate the engine but does not spin during operation.

arf145 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

My 2GM20F doesn't have this chain--for that matter, it has no hand crank either. Always figured the PO kept/lost it. Maybe mine isn't even set up for one.

Tom

JohnRPollard · #5 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

Never tried it, but...

You'd probably want to release the compression on both cylinders, spin it a fair bit to heat up the cylinder walls some, then advance the throttle to full, then throw the lever for only one cylinder once you got it spinning again. If it fires off then you throw the other cylinder.

This is where glow plugs would really help....

hellosailor · #6 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

From what I've experienced, you need three men, two of them big strong grinders and the third nimble enough to reach and engage the compression lever without getting in the way of the two guys grinding. Then, with some luck AND a can of starting ether, you may be able to fire it up.

A can of starting ether is an extremely valuable part of this--the diesel needs some help at times like this. If you don't have ether...WD-40, butane, whatever you've got, try!

chucklesR · #7 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

All those wonderful stories of 'put the transmission in neutral, release compression, sail real fast, then pop the compression'lever! (like push starting a car) are just B.S. then?
No, Really?
My Yanmar manual said I could do that, and IIRC, said if I did get it started like that to let them know, as I'd be the first

sailingdog · #8 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

Chuckles-

That's because you keep forgetting to put the saildrive leg down.

Plumper · #9 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

First, I have not been able to start my 2QM20 by hand yet. My friend, who has one, can. He says that the trick is for one person to grind as fast as he can and for a second person to flip the decomp lever on one cylinder without telling the grinder when. The grinder still keeps grinding for all that he's worth.

Ellen Macarthur used a line to the end of the boom and a series of pulleys to pull start her diesel.

EO32 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

Yes.

I have a 2QM20 and when I bought the boat last year, the only battery had a bad cell and could not start it.

I stated it by hand serveral times. Release the decompression, hand crank and get it going as fast as you can then drop the decompression and hope she fires. (Of course make sure your fuel is on, not like I would ever do something that stupid more then twice)

Chris

And she started after sitting 4 years. I was impressed.