KAD 32 How does yours start?

Volvo KAD 32 tfft

Volvo KAD 32 tfft

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I have Kad 32 engine which is in excellent condition for 3 years now, only 450 hours,
In spite of bleeding at the filter and checking many times for air/ leaks it always takes
ages to start after a few days of standing,
Once started it will be fine for the rest of the day
starting bang on the button instantly.
Anyone else have this issue? do i need to fit a non return/anti siphon valve in the fuel line?
is it normal to have to wind it over and over as there are no glow plugs?
thanks:)
 
Your description of starting on the button after running earlier in the day matches my experience with my kad32.
It is the same if run the day before and there is very little smoke when it starts first turn of the key.

After an idle period of a week or two in the warmer months it might take a second try. Not needing extensive cranking but it does need turning over slightly longer than I would with the car.

My starter battery failed suddenly and unexpectedly a year ago. Before that it had always been a reasonably good starter. But I found the new battery resulted in an improvement.

My neighbour had twin kad32's and his second engine always turned over a bit slower and needed plenty of cranking , which was suspected to be associated with the battery set up - the second engine started off the leisure battery bank.

I had a starter issue which proved to be the electrical connection onto the starter motor becoming slightly loose .


Try checking all electrical connections between the starter battery and the starter motor. Perhaps try a new starter battery if there is any doubt regarding its age or performance.
 
We are experiencing much colder weather than normal, and without glow plugs or preheaters nearly everyone has the same probs, Syd of this parish nearly started stripping his Detroits down for just this problem. However we peasants with Fords not fitted with pre heaters take a warm air gun to the inlet manifold or better still into the inlet manifold, blow a gentle stream of warmth into the old girl and crank at the same time, hey presto they fire up immediately. Try it I think you will be impressed.. LOL
 
MartynG said:
Your description of starting on the button after running earlier in the day matches my experience with my kad32.
Try checking all electrical connections between the starter battery and the starter motor. Perhaps try a new starter battery if there is any doubt regarding its age or performance.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply, yes battery and cables are all fine (new) I was hoping somebody would say ah! try this etc, but it sounds like hard starting may be characteristic of Kad 32's, disappointing really its a cracking engine, and seems hard work on the starter motor.:)
 
Volvo KAD 32 tfft said:
Thanks for your reply, yes battery and cables are all fine (new) I was hoping somebody would say ah! try this etc, but it sounds like hard starting may be characteristic of Kad 32's, disappointing really its a cracking engine, and seems hard work on the starter motor.:)
Click to expand...

I did not intend to imply bad starting is an issue with the kad32.
Quite the opposite really.
Just that I have found the starter battery condition and cable connections are important to starting performance.
I dont think many boat engines start at the touch of the key when they have been standing a while and especially not in cold weather such a recently.

When you engine does start after needing to be cranked a while do you get a lot of smoke?
Does your starter turn the engine over at adequate speed or do you think it may be a little too slow?
 
Hi
I have twin KAD32's, 11years old now and at 1500hrs+ and can confirm as already mentioned this time of the year they do take a little longer to fire up but I am only talking 4-5 seconds. How long are your's taking - longer?
Has it always been like this or are you only talking about now during this cold snap? Does it sound as if it is turning over at it's normal cranking speed?
 
My TAMD have a cold start device on the fuel pump governor. Never had to use it but it is a small off white plunger on the side of the fuel pump. Might your KAD have a similar device.
 
Peanuts said:
Hi
I have twin KAD32's, 11years old now and at 1500hrs+ and can confirm as already mentioned this time of the year they do take a little longer to fire up but I am only talking 4-5 seconds. How long are your's taking - longer?
Has it always been like this or are you only talking about now during this cold snap? Does it sound as if it is turning over at it's normal cranking speed?
Click to expand...

Yes it turns over at normal speed, probably takes 8-10 secs at least twice before it fires up, definitely worse in this weather, smoke is not excessive, about normal i would say

my TAMD 31 would start instantly even after a couple of weeks literally as soon as you turned the key, it feels like i have gone to the opposite extreme with my KAD.

Thanks fellas.
 
I have to say I have never touched the throttle any KAD32 before starting, whatever time of the year. I just turn the key to first position, wait for the instruments to come on and the trim gauge relay to click then turn to start the engine. Works for me on all the boats I have worked on with KAD's.
 
My KAD32 used to take a few cranks when trying to start cold in the depths of winter, but never had to touch the throttle
 
Volvo KAD 32 tfft said:
yes, it wont start otherwise, then throttle back as soon as it fires.
Click to expand...

Sounds to me like there is an internal problem inside the pump if it won't start unless you open the throttle, either the advance piston is stuck or a problem with the transfer pressure not allowing max fuel to the head part of the pump.
 
I suggest you have an air leak, but a very small one. Imagine the fuel system as an upturned "U" tube filled with fuel. The fuel stays in the tube because air cannot get in. Now if you have a microscopic hole in the tube, air can get in and allow the fuel will drain back into the tank. At the next start you have to spend time cranking the engine to pump the fuel back up to the injection pump. The hole letting air into the system can be very small, so small that air can get in but fuel cannot get out (even at 20 psi pressure). I have seen this with my own eyes. Being such a small hile it can take a day or weeks for the fuel to drain. This is why that once the engine has started is starts well for the rest of the day. Now find your air leak or give up and paint the engine (fuel pipes etc).
 
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