Fitting a Thermostart

[Stemar]

A query on another thread suggests that fitting a thermostart to my VP2003 is doable and shouldn't be outrageously expensive. Rather than hijack the thread completely I'm starting a separate one to canvas suggestions as to the best way to proceed.


The beast (can't get the pic to work, but I'm looking at this one) has a shallow thread - too shallow to put a nut either side of whatever I'm going to mount it in.

Without being able to look at the setup on the engine, I think I either have to remove part of the mesh in the air filter to make space for it, or remove the inlet manifold and have someone drill & tap it, which is starting to look expensive, so fittting it in the filter sounds favourite.

A few questions:
1. Does the thermostart have to be mounted vertically so gravity helps the fuel to run onto the element, or will the 4" or so of head from the bottom of the tank to the inlet (gravity feed to the filter) do the biz? From memory, the easiest fitting would be with the thermostart on its side, as there's a flat bit of filter casing there.

2. Will I get away with a fibre washer between filter case and thermostart and a nut holding it all together, or am I going to have to braze a nut on the case?

3. Fuel supply from a T in the line before the engine fuel pump OK?

4. What's the current draw?

Thanks to all

 

[PCUK]

Thermostarts are usually installed horizontally.
Put a steel washer on the Thermostart, then place it through the hole in the air filter, fit another steel washer and then screw on the nut.
If there's not enough head from the main tank you can use a little reservoir set up higher for the feed.

 

[VicS]

A bit of Googling produces pictures of them both vertical and horizontal.

.

 

[Pagetslady]

Why would you want to fit a Thermostart to a VP 2003, if it will not start using the recommended starting procedure then it need looking at.
Press in the button to engage neutral, put the throttle about 3/4 to full pull up the stop button fully and return it then press the starter button, be ready to reduce the revs once its fired up.
Regards mike

 

[Bilgediver]

Why would you want to fit a Thermostart to a VP 2003, if it will not start using the recommended starting procedure then it need looking at.
Press in the button to engage neutral, put the throttle about 3/4 to full pull up the stop button fully and return it then press the starter button, be ready to reduce the revs once its fired up.
Regards mike

Yep it is important to follow exactly what was written above and the engine should fire up immediately. It is amazing how many owners do not know this procedure for setting the cold start especially in the USA where it seems to be missing from some manuals.

 

[Juggler7823]

Why would you want to fit a Thermostart to a VP 2003, if it will not start using the recommended starting procedure then it need looking at.
Press in the button to engage neutral, put the throttle about 3/4 to full pull up the stop button fully and return it then press the starter button, be ready to reduce the revs once its fired up.
Regards mike

Its important to note that if the boat is in the water and repeated cranking is required that the cooling water is turned OFF to avoid the possibility of water entering the cylinders.

 

[pappaecho]

When I read the thread I thought that it was a misspelling of thermostat.
I have never heard of a thermostart, so what do they actually do? Are they a substitute for glow plugs on engines which are not fitted with glowplugs? More important do they work?

 

[Trundlebug]

From the link in the OP's post it looks like it's just another name for a glow plug.

 

[scottie]

Heater element 863377.
2000 solas heater element etc may be another option.

 

[PCUK]

A thermostart isn't a glow plug although it contains one.
Highly effective - much better than glow plugs. Works on any engine that needs cold start assistance.

 

[VicS]

When I read the thread I thought that it was a misspelling of thermostat.
I have never heard of a thermostart, so what do they actually do? Are they a substitute for glow plugs on engines which are not fitted with glowplugs? More important do they work?

If you Google you canfind out just what a "Thermostart" is and how it works.. you can even find a diagram of one !