Best way to start an engine?

[wakeup]

I usually pump the throttle full for three blasts on my Merc 5.0 and then set the throttle to 3/4 before turning over. Mostly starts first time but on occassions when its been left for more than a week it takes a second turn to start it.

Once fired up I keep it running at 1200 rpm for a minute before throttling back to idle. Before I cast off (Usually 10 to 15 mins after start) I free rev it up to 3000 rpm to check temp and press for a short period. By the way all taught to me by RYA instructor but I've only just thought to question this!

Has anyone got any advice for best practive procedures for both pre start, running idle and run down.

Thanks



<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by wakeup on Tue May 7 13:48:56 2002 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[jfm]

IMHO much better not to run it for 15min beofre setting off. During this type of warm up, the revs are high and the amount of fuel going in is tiny (becos no load) so it warms up slowly. If you drive off under load, sooner after start up, it will heat up faster. Obviously not a full rpm or WOT, say up to 2500 rpm ish till fully warmed up. Virtually all the wear in the engine is when it is cold, wear rates at full operating temperature are tiny, so get it warmed up fast. All imho.

 

[wakeup]

Thanks JFM. I'll tell the marina guys this when I set off from my home base through the open lock gates on the plane ;-)

Seriously though do you have any oppinions re shutting down procedure.

My other expensive hobby is flying where you can (and must) buy a check list for each type of aircraft, covering start up , shut down, engine fires, electrical fires. They really are very useful and you end up doing alot of this stuff subconsciously the same time every time. Moreover because you do the exact same thing time and time again, you really notice when you've got rpm drop on one engine when going through the procedures and are therefore more likely to spot a problem before airbourne. With a boat it isn't always so obvious.

It would be great if boat manufacturers produced such check lists or even the engine manufacturers. Many second hand boats and engines would be in much better runnning order.

Could be a business opportunity for someone willing to write check lists for boats. Any takers? I'd by a copy if they were say £10 each as they are for aircraft.



yada yada..

 

[Geoffs]

Your start up procedure is pretty well the one I use for my Merc 3.0. Tend to only give one pump before cranking, as it is possile to flood the engine. Agree with JFM, get some load on the engine asap, even if just motoring to lock.

The Merc manual I have does give check lists, and recommends fast idle (1000-1500rpm) for 1 to 2 minutes. Happy to copy and flog for tenner a time! Even happier to photo copy and email to you if you like.

The above applies to carbureted engines. EFI engines don't need to be pumped, and are started in Neutral/Idle.

 

[BarryH]

Sorry I just know I'm gonna get a good slating over this, but I've been itching to say it. The best way to start an engine is by using........THE KEY.....DOH!

 

[Geoffs]

Key? Wot key? Where's that then? Ah, that'll be the thing that costs about a 100 quid from Volvo

 

[BarryH]

Well sorry had to say it. I'm still chuckling to myself now. And no its not £100 from volvo. Its £123 + VAT for a new key, cos they cant cut one from a number off the starter switch like the car dealers can. So you gotta buy a new ignition switch complete.

 

[wakeup]

BarryH....... get your coat you cunny funt.

yada yada..

 

[lanason]

And the best way to stop an engine when it is running is .......

Adrian
p.s. mines a Volvo too - help

Don't call me "Ian"
Cleopatra - yellow hull called Court Jester. Have you seen her ?

 

[BarryH]

The problem is'nt stopping it, Its getting it started in the first place and keep it running

Its a Volvo....who said it won't cost much to put right!!

 

[Guest]

Got a EFi, so all I do is turn the key and she starts

 

[Geoffs]

Blimeeeeee! I thought I was overdoing it when I said 100. I got a local locksmith to cut me a new key for £2.50 (inc. VAT). Worth trying if ever in that position, they have catalogues with blanks in, cover everything under sun, Caravans, boats, including Mercury and Volvo Penta.

 

[BarryH]

But i did'nt have the key, you think i would pay £120 for a key. I may be mad enuff to run a volvo but!!!!! They cant cut a key from the number alone. Thats volvo for you they wont take the cheap option.

Its a Volvo....who said it won't cost much to put right!!

 

[Freebee]

Take out the lock and take it to al ock smith they have a cunning computery readery device thingy that tells them how to cut the key.

 

[lanason]

I always say "have your second thought first"
Why did you only have on key in the first place ???

Adrian

Don't call me "Ian"
Cleopatra - yellow hull called Court Jester. Have you seen her ?

 

[BarryH]

Cos the boat only come with one key, attatched to a 6 inch cube of cork, and it got nicked with the car!

Its a Volvo....who said it won't cost much to put right!!

 

[BarryH]

Bit late, bought it a couple of years ago. Do you know ! I wish i had'nt said a thing now!!!!!

Its a Volvo....who said it won't cost much to put right!!

 

[jfm]

Re: Best way to shut down

Just switch it off, but 2 exceptions:

1. If petrol, and not gonna use for say 6 weeks or more, run the carb dry by shutting off the fuel. Stops petrol gumming up the carbs. However, if a multi carb multi cylinder big outboard, make sure to stop the engine with the key just as it begins to die on its own. Do not run it bone dry. Reason is, one carb bowl will empty before another and the cylinders fed by that carb will then be run totally dry, which means no lube oil.

2. If turbo charged, petrol or diesel, make sure it has run at idle speed for 5mins before shut down. This allows oil to cool the turbo. If shut down straight from high speed, residual heat in turbo rotor will burn the no-longer-flowing lube oil on the turbo spindle and ruin the bearings. Mostly this happens automatically, becos parking the boat in the marina means 10mins running at idle speed (unless you're marina-planer BarryD <G>)

Lawnmowers and stuff that sit idle over winter should be used with 97/98 octane "super unleaded" then they start first pull in the spring. Petrol loses octane rating when left to stand for months, so starting higher at 97/98 instead of 95 means there's more left after the winter. Don't know why I sed that, nothing to do with boats or your post, sorry

 

[andyball]

Re: Best way to shut down

that applies to "multi carb multi cylinder big outboard"s that are 2-stroke and run pre-mix then.... are there many of those left?

 

[jfm]

Re: lubrication of 2-strokes

Yes it only applies to 2 strokes. But there are loads of multi cyl multi carb 2 strokes still on the market, current models not just yesteryear jobs. EFI is still not fitted to most big outboards. And the fact that premixed oil-petrol is now very much a thing of the past doesn't change my point because even with auto-oil-inject engines the oil is still mixed into the petrol in most cases, normally just before it enters the carb. I mean the oil is not squirted directly onto the bearings, it uses the petrol/air mixture in the crankcase as a delivery mechanism.