if you have a propane torch, remove the air cleaner and direct the flame into the intake while someone cranks the engine with the starter. have the throttle about 3/4 open . cut it bach when the engine starts. warming up the intake air helps the injected diesel to fire.

 

Don't set your boat on fire. Place a hair blow dryer in the engine compartment aimed at the intake manifold for about 10 min , should start like a warm engine.

 

I wonder if anyone makes block heaters for marine engines? Pretty common accessory for automotive engines in Northern latitudes.

 

Yes they do. I installed one on my 2qm15. The folks in northern Canada use the all winter. Mine is stuck on the block behind the starter. It keeps the motor and everything around it warm all the time. Motors starts like you just turned it off.

 

very cold engine block heater battery heater. Otherwise crank wait twice as long as
crank , crank again. Do not use engine desil starting fluids, either, bad for engine.

 

If you're cranking a lot, and in the water.. be sure to close the raw water intake until the engine starts or you may backflood the engine and hydrolock it.

 

Use a portable hair drier to pump hot air into the intake spout on the air cleaner for a few minutes before cranking (or even while if you've got a helper to turn the ignition switch). If you don't have shore power use a 12v version.

Operated for a few minutes, it would not be an undue drain on your batteries unless they are way down. See Amazon.com: RoadPro RPSC-818 12V Hair Dryer/ Defroster with Folding Handle: Automotive@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41fARa1ZcLL.@@AMEPARAM@@41fARa1ZcLL

 

If the engine has glow plugs, they may be on a timer, only allowing a short heat cycle? You could extend the time by jumping directly to the plugs for a SHORT period of time, maybe 10 extra seconds or so.

Paul T

 

I have a 2QM15- no glow plugs on this model- that was very hard on the starter motor when cold.
I bought a Wolverine brand engine heater that you affix to the bottom of the oil pan with an expoy that is included in the kit. Website is wolverineheater.com - For my 2 cylinder I bought the model 4.5 CSA approved ( gotta keep the insurance company happy) that is 50 watts. I think its the smallest one they make.
Now no matter what the outside temp the engines starts with a couple of seconds cranking at most. I figure the $60.00 cost of the heater has paid for itself many times over with the reduced wear on the starter motor.

They are mfg'd in Washington state, but I believe they have dealers everywhere. - I have no connection with this company at all, just a satisfied customer.

There are some Canadians who would argue that it never gets cold enough to use such a thing in Victoria BC, but things come to a screaming halt around here when it hits 0 C! brrr!

 

I have a 2QM15- no glow plugs on this model- that was very hard on the starter motor when cold.
I bought a Wolverine brand engine heater that you affix to the bottom of the oil pan with an expoy that is included in the kit. Website is wolverineheater.com - For my 2 cylinder I bought the model 4.5 CSA approved ( gotta keep the insurance company happy) that is 50 watts. I think its the smallest one they make.
Now no matter what the outside temp the engines starts with a couple of seconds cranking at most. I figure the $60.00 cost of the heater has paid for itself many times over with the reduced wear on the starter motor.

They are mfg'd in Washington state, but I believe they have dealers everywhere. - I have no connection with this company at all, just a satisfied customer.

There are some Canadians who would argue that it never gets cold enough to use such a thing in Victoria BC, but things come to a screaming halt around here when it hits 0 C! brrr!

I have also installed one of these and it just great. I also was able to install an intake heater, made by Yanmar for a different motor. I had to make aluminum adapters, install a new breaker, relay, push button and associated wiring. It works just like the one on my Dodge Cummins pickup. I can give you details if you like. I just have to look it up.

 

I always seem to be one of the first boats to be hauled, meaning first thing in the morning when it is cold! The last two years, I have run an electric heater pointed at the engine for an hour before it is time and this makes a huge difference. Launch is another story because I can't get power to the boat immediately before launch. I fhave found that cranking it a bit and then waiting for a good 15-20 seconds, cranking again for a short period of time...wait and it will go the third time.

 

I'm going to try and start my Yanmar this weekend after a cold spell on the Chesapeake. I'll try some of the tips posted here.

I've always heard that starting fluid is bad for diesels but have never gotten a real explanation as to why. Anyone able to enlighten me? Also, is it true that wd40 is an acceptable substitute?

 

I'm going to try and start my Yanmar this weekend after a cold spell on the Chesapeake. I'll try some of the tips posted here.

I've always heard that starting fluid is bad for diesels but have never gotten a real explanation as to why. Anyone able to enlighten me? Also, is it true that wd40 is an acceptable substitute?

If your engine has pre combustion chambers, I have read that ether will damage the head. IN really cold temps I have used just a small squirt near the in taken and it worked, maybe I was lucky.

No experience with WD 40 but used ether in another engine, a Detroit 3 71
Diesel that had direct injection, no problem.

Paul T

 

Thanks for the reply. I am going to take your advise.

 

Bingo. Thanks.

 

How did it work out? My port engine sometimes starts hard. I am going to try the hairdryer advice with the generator running next cold start.

 

Our 2GM20F was hard to start cold... We added a cetane booster, it made a world of difference. Apparently US diesel has minimal cetane, the booster will help a lot.

 

Full throttle. Crank about ten seconds. Vroom. Throttle back. Open the water intake. Works great.

 

Sorry for showing up late at this party but I hope this helps.

My boat has an 80s-vintage Yanmar 2gm20, no glow plugs. When I bought the boat the PO warned me that the engine had trouble with cold starting.

He would burn tea candles under the oil pan for a few minutes before cranking. I'm no expert but that's gotta have levels of wrong to it.

I read the engine's manual. It has a procedure for cold starting. Works great, every time in near-freezing Canadian weather. And now I have a bunch of tea candles for romantic meals.

 

He would burn tea candles under the oil pan for a few minutes before cranking. I'm no expert but that's gotta have levels of wrong to it.

Any open flame on a boat gets my attention and I avoid it, as much as possible. Exceptions include the stove and BBQ, of course. Somehow we ended up with a scented candle, which I think was a hostess gift from one of the kid's girlfriend. Never lit it and it was removed from the boat, right after they left.

Ironically, an open flame would not typically ignite diesel fuel. Still, there is plenty it might ignite.

 

The key to starting a cold Yanmar GM series engine is give it plenty of throttle. Not necessarily full throttle but at least 1/2-3/4.

 

What brand do you use and where do you find it? I think that this is a very good idea.

 

Wolverine brand. I forget the wattage (maybe 150) but it is something like 2 or 3 inches by 6 inches. I first ordered one with a high temperature cut out. It was suggested as something the coast guard would like. It didn't fit because of the starter position. They took it back and sent one without. The company that sold it was located in Texas but I think they went out of business. You can find Wolverine heaters on line. I recently searched because I want to install one on my diesel pick up. They are not very expensive. I am a retired electrical utility employee. We used that kind of heater on all kinds of cabinets in the field to keep out condensation and such. They were pretty much in service all the time. (24/7) I don't think that I can recall more than one or two that failed (in my stations) in more than 20 years. Mine is always plugged in when the boat in the slip. Our summers are not very hot in Bellingham wa. so the heat is not a problem.

 

I also installed an intake heater like Cummins uses. I it is made by yanmar for a different motor. I had to make adaptors out of aluminum half inch stock. Also a marine contactor made by cummins for that type of application. And a 40 amp breaker. I can get specific information if you need but I will have to dig though my shop first.

 

Here is my 2qm15 with a intake heater and heat exchanger.