Is it really possible to hand-start a deisel - I d

[Modulation]

Well, not a Yanmar, anyway.
I' ve had them in my last three boats and never could - Two 1GM engines now a new 2GM20 - still can't do it. Nor can my beefy crew. The yard says it's because we don't need to - If we were in real bother we'd have no problem. Not entirely convinced.
Is it just us?

Brendan

Brendan

 

[ccscott49]

With a decompression lever, you should be able to do it. Does the manual give you the procedure, as it may need excess fuel lever and decompression etc. My old saab engine would start by hand, it had to! no electric start. All the old lifeboats we had at one time were hand start and they did! I would try and get it to work, you never know when you may need to! It would also give you some confidence.

 

[Guest]

managed to hand start my 1GM, but only by having one person operating the decompressors whilst I wound away like an idiot. I cant believe that it is possible single handed, but no doubt someone will come along and correct me

 

[dah]

I have a volvo md11c (1978 version) fitted to my Centaur, and yes it will start by hand, BUT (and there always is a but) it does take two persons, one to operate the decompression levers and the tho other to keep cranking furiously. I would have my doubts about being able to do it single handed.

 

[tubba]

I have often started gardeners (6 cyl lxb) with the decompressors lifted when the batteries are low
but don`t fancy spining them by hand!

 

[VMALLOWS]

I can start my BUKT 20 ok by hand (in Summer) even single handed, but agree the manufacturers should sort out the decompresser operation.....I resort to very homemade solutions involving string etc.

I don't think they believe anyone sails (motors!) single handed......nor do the yachting mags..........have you ever read an article on coming alongside or even picking up a mooring which doesn't go on about what the 'crew' should do?

I wouldn't stand a chance from cold in winter, at least not without a good dose of ether (easystart).

 

[paulrossall]

Re:Yes..I have a 2GM20

I have hand started my Yanmar 2GM20 on a number of occasions. It is a direct seawater cooling model. I seem to remember the fresh water (indirect cooling)model does not have hand start facility. Move decompression leavers so engine turns easily. It is easier if one person turns engine and another moves one decompression leaver so engine starts working on one cylinder and quickly flick the other decompression leaver. I did work out if I was on my own that I could tie a cord to the first decompression leaver and tie it round my foot at appropriate length so I could bring first cylinder in by moving my foot. I will try this next time I go to my boat and report back. Once one cylinder is firing it is easy to bring other one in. Good Luck

 

[Strathglass]

Re:Yes..I have a 2GM20

I have a friend who used to start his small yanmar when the battery was low.
He raised the decompression lever, held the starter button on then released the lever when the engine was spinning fast. It always seemed to work even when the battery seemed flet when trying to start normally.
Iain

 

[chippie]

I have started an old twin cylinder gardner by hand but had someone else operate the decompressors. it had a reduction chain arrangement from the starter handle, bloody hard work nevertheless.

 

[LORDNELSON]

I think the answer is, with great difficulty, and only up to two cylinder engines. I could just start my last boats Volvo MDIIc in calm water with my wife operating the valve lifters whilst I worked at the momentum of the flywheel. I think one has to get the flyweel rotating at the best spped you can manage and keep it turning at thet speed for about 20 seconds before letting one cylinder fire, drop the other valve lifter when you know the first cylinder is firing. I now have a boat with a three cylinder Yanmar and that does not even have a starting handle!

 

[Roberto]

If you have an open 60 you can try the French solo method of winding a rope around the flywheel, then through a couple of blocks up to the end of the boom. Sail downwind, more downind until the boom: whaaaaaaaam and engine starts.

 

[bedouin]

Many years ago I had a boat with an old Coventry Victor single cylinder diesel. The only way of starting that was by hand - but it did have a very clever device to inject engine oil into the cylinder - I presume to improve compression.

Just for fun I tried to hand-start my Volvo MD2B on Saturday - the engine had just been run and so was hot - but there was no way it was going to start for me (single handed). The problem was that I couldn't drop the decompression levers while continuing to crack. I am now thinking about all sorts of methods for dropping the levers while keeping both hands on the handle, and both feet on the floor!

 

[brian_neale]

Definitely possible - have done it regularly on my 1GM for the last 8 years. Technique was to sit on the port bunk and crank with right hand while leaning across with left hand on the decomp lever. Wind up the speed until you really cannot get it going faster, then drop the lever while continuing to wind. It is much easier if you insert the handle so it reaches compression while "lifting" rather than "pushing". Put in the handle and turn over the engine until it stops on compression. If you are pulling the handle towards you at this point, it is in the right place. If not, reinsert the handle at 180 degrees. Throttle lever setting seems fairly critical and has to be tweaked based on experience, but there is no other "cold start" mechanism needed. Unfortunately, the standard Yanmar manual does not even mention hand-starting, let alone tell you how to do it!

Past tense used above as boat has just been sold. New boat will have 3GM, which may be a bit too big to hand start (not to mention much more difficult to get into good "winding" position due to poorer engine access).

As mentioned above, using the decomp lever to take the load off the starter motor is also useful, as the engine spins up much faster/takes less battery power. Then drop the lever again once it is spinning, and away you go.

I first learnt the technique when I launched the boat for the very first time. There I was, waiting for the tide to come in and float me off the cradle, when I discovered that I had left the VHF on the week before while testing all the systems, and the battery was completely dead... Nevertheless, that same battery is still in use, 8 years later!

 

[seaesta]

I regularly start my MD1 by hand. The secret is in the oil. If you use normal oil is it very viscous when cold and stops you cranking at a suffieicent speed. I use Mobil 1 oil which is rated 0W40. It is as thin as water when cold and means I can crank her up!

Martin of Seaesta of Whitby