Twin cylinder Beta 14HP Hard to start

[William_H]

Friend has a 14HP Beta done just 50 hrs fitted new about 3 years ago. He has trouble getting it to start. It does start eventually after much cranking. Some grey smoke once running might be significant.
Glow plugs appear to work as shown by amp meter draw and in any case this is in benign weather. 25 degrees. The fuel system has been bled and once running seems fine. Could it be a bad lift pump.
Any ideas would be gratefully received. olewill
Further reports indicate that it might start instantly if the lift pump is tickled on the manual handle.
The fuel tank is on a level with the engine such that when low the fuel level is below the pump. If topped up the level would be above the pump. Perhaps valves in the pump leaking pressure away back to the tank.
Next thing is to try a full tank. Any more ideas?

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

Had experience with a Beta 10, same engine, different RPM. The springs in the injector pump, situated left hand side looking from front, the manual shows it clearly,were prone to breaking. Long story but due to harmonic vibration due to resilient mounts badly fitted. They do break for other reasons.
It may be worth checking this pump. it is held in with four Hex screws and is easy to get out, just be careful of the gasket type shims around the pump. It is easy to strip but take very careful note of where it all goes and only do one leg at a time.
If you need spares find a local Kubota dealer!

 

[aslabend]

To ckeck the lift pump you could disconnect the fuel return to the tank and measure the flow.
My beta 16 has done 1100 hrs and starts instantly with no white smoke so something does nor sound right.

 

[Burnham Bob]

Does it run well when it starts? Grey smoke doesn't sound right. Just a thought though - is the tank breather blocked? Try starting with the filler cap off. After runing if there is a partial vacuum in the tank that might be the issue.

 

[AndrewL]

Sorry if this is obvious, but according to the manual you should start with 1/3 throttle (in neutral). I do find that this is not always necessary, especially if the engine is already warmed up. However, sometimes if I forget and try to start with idle throttle it cranks without firing.

 

[andygc]

I have had intermittent problems starting mine (170 hours). There's nothing at all wrong with the fuel pump and it seems to be that every now and then, when the boat is left for a while, air gets into the high pressure system. If it won't start after two goes I bleed the system, to find no air in the low pressure side, then pump away for 30 seconds, just as the book says, to push air out of the high pressure side, and off it goes immediately. Other times the boat can be unused for a few weeks and it starts first time as usual. I've had two independent engineers scratching their heads over it with no fault found. It's never a problem when the boat is in use, it's only a problem on the mooring, sometimes.

 

[Mudisox]

Very similar problem on a similar engine less than 1 year old, I found that although the heater plugs worked on removal, they needed a separate lead direct from the starter battery, and starts immediately without the grey smoke.

 

[William_H]

Thank you all for your helpful comments olewill

 

[chrishscorp]

we have a Beta 20hp if i try and start her with out warming the glow plugs in colder weather i get greyish smoke and struggles to start , glow plugs at a guess or as previously suggested the feed to them.

 

[andygc]

we have a Beta 20hp if i try and start her with out warming the glow plugs in colder weather i get greyish smoke and struggles to start , glow plugs at a guess or as previously suggested the feed to them.

As the OP said - the glow plugs seem to be working, and the air temperature is 25 deg C.

 

[chrishscorp]

Is engine overfilled with oil ? and second question does it use oil?

 

[PetiteFleur]

Do you have a slight air leak in a fuel line? This happened to me after about 50hrs after fitting a new Beta - cured by checking all fuel joints and giving each a 'tweak' with a spanner and problem cured. Never did find out where the problem was! I should add that I had fitted new tank, filter and fuel lines at the same time.