WATERMOTA ENGINE

[DAVID55]

I have a problem with my elderly Watermota engine installed in a Nicholson32. The engine is the original now 23 years old !! but still runs well. The problem is with starting. From cold there is little problem but when warm or hot still requires the full time of pre-heating and is very difficult to start. No pre-heating results in the engine not firing at all. Sometimes the engine floods and other times appears to lock up and won't surn over. If it is left to cool it will generally start ok. Could this be due to lack of compression although the engine pulls well once running. Anybody experienced a similar problem?

 

[jamesa]

Mine (30hp Seapanther) is the same in that it always requires pre-heat to get it going wether warm or cold. Always starts first time though, so I've not been too worried about it. It does get akward if you overdo the preheat (usually accompanied by a small flash of flame out of the air filter) - then you need to leave the thing alone for a minute or 2 before trying again.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by jamesa on 03/09/2002 14:34 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[brianrunyard]

Might be worth having your injectors serviced.

Brian
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/brunyard

 

[DAVID55]

Thanks for your response. The injectors have not been serviced for some time since I thought that dirty injectors usually caused black smoke and since there is none was leaving well alone. Obviously this would be a good course of action in any event as a matter of general maintenance. Are there any visible indicators to show that the injectors are a problem?

 

[DAVID55]

Interesting that this is a quirk of this engine but at least yours starts more easily. To be fair the engine has never let us down totally but I feel that it should start more easily and without pre-heat when the engine is hot. I think I will try the other suggestion of servicing the injectors. Thanks for your response

 

[jamesa]

Injectors...

If you do get the injectors serviced, let us know how you get on. Speaking to another Watermota owner, the starting ritual does seem to be a common "feature".

Have you spoken to Stephenson Marine (who provide the support & spares for Watermota's these days) about the problem?