Vovo penta MD 2003 will not ignite

[Elisabeth]

"Hi I have a Volvo Penta MD 2003 diesel engine in my sailing boat. Yesterday when turning of the engine while under sail I pulled the stop handle and turned of the key, but failed to hear that the engine had not actually stopped, realized this after about 15 minutes, and then pulled the stop handle and stopped the engine. When trying to start the engine after about 10 hours it would not start. The motor turned and turned, but would not ignite. I tested for fuel and air in the fuel system, all okay. The start battery was 12.76 volt, not to high, but the engine should start on that. I tried using the manifold handle, but it did not help. I know I should never turn of the ignition before stopping the motor and this is what I did. What can be wrong, how can I get my motor running again? The weather was quite rough when the engine was running last and it did smell diesel or was it oil when it was running last. Hope someone can help me, so I can get out of harbor and continue my sailing trip. Best Elisabeth

 

[VicS]

"Hi I have a Volvo Penta MD 2003 diesel engine in my sailing boat. Yesterday when turning of the engine while under sail I pulled the stop handle and turned of the key, but failed to hear that the engine had not actually stopped, realized this after about 15 minutes, and then pulled the stop handle and stopped the engine. When trying to start the engine after about 10 hours it would not start. The motor turned and turned, but would not ignite. I tested for fuel and air in the fuel system, all okay. The start battery was 12.76 volt, not to high, but the engine should start on that. I tried using the manifold handle, but it did not help. I know I should never turn of the ignition before stopping the motor and this is what I did. What can be wrong, how can I get my motor running again? The weather was quite rough when the engine was running last and it did smell diesel or was it oil when it was running last. Hope someone can help me, so I can get out of harbor and continue my sailing trip. Best Elisabeth

Not turning off the ignition before stopping the engine is a bit of a red herring.

The reason is to protect the alternator from running while disconnected from the battery .... but that does not happen anyway because the alternator output does no pass through the ignition switch. Provided you did not open the battery isolator switch while the engine was running you will not have damaged the alternator

Have you carefully followed the procedure for setting the cold start system as described in the manual:_

Pressed the button on the throttle lever and partly opened the throttle

Pulled the stop handle fully and then fully pushed it back again.

( Do you have an owners manual? If not download one from http://www.volvopenta.com/volvopent...lication_search/pages/publication_search.aspx )


What do you mean by the manifold handle ??? The decompression lever ? Have you returned it properly to its normal position?
Or did you mean the manual starting handle?

BY the way don't keep cranking the engine with the cooling water inlet valve open. You could fill the exhaust system with water ... and then the engine!

 

[Bilgediver]

"Hi I have a Volvo Penta MD 2003 diesel engine in my sailing boat. Yesterday when turning of the engine while under sail I pulled the stop handle and turned of the key, but failed to hear that the engine had not actually stopped, realized this after about 15 minutes, and then pulled the stop handle and stopped the engine. When trying to start the engine after about 10 hours it would not start. The motor turned and turned, but would not ignite. I tested for fuel and air in the fuel system, all okay. The start battery was 12.76 volt, not to high, but the engine should start on that. I tried using the manifold handle, but it did not help. I know I should never turn of the ignition before stopping the motor and this is what I did. What can be wrong, how can I get my motor running again? The weather was quite rough when the engine was running last and it did smell diesel or was it oil when it was running last. Hope someone can help me, so I can get out of harbor and continue my sailing trip. Best Elisabeth

Maybe you did not push te stop handle back in fully this will stop the fuel pump working if nt pushed all te way in

 

[Elisabeth]

Problem solved!

I solved the problem! It was the stop handle, it had been damaged and was stuck in the out position. Thank you for the problem solving help.
Elisabeth

 

[nigelmercier]

I solved the problem! It was the stop handle, it had been damaged and was stuck in the out position. Thank you for the problem solving help.

So you didn't solve it, Vic did

 

[VicS]

Who ever solved it thanks for letting us know.

 

[John 32i]

How crucial is it not to switch the battery on and off whilst the engine is running.....I did this by mistake on Monday, now I have no ignition lights or power..??!

 

[Biggles Wader]

I solved the problem! It was the stop handle, it had been damaged and was stuck in the out position. Thank you for the problem solving help.
Elisabeth

Ive done exactly the same.The stop button looked like it had gone back in but it hadnt.Much head scratching until the penny dropped.

 

[duncan99210]

If you run the engine with the battery switch turned off and no load on the alternator, it is possible to fry the diodes on the alternator and you won't get any output from it. If you have then been using the battery, it's possible that there is not enough power left in it to turn the engine over. Even if you do get the engine started, if you've fryed the diodes,then you won't get any output from the alternator to recharge the battery, which seems to be what you've done.