yanmar 1gm10 questions

[kevsbox]

Hey all
A couple of engine questions please. When I turn the ignition on and I hear the beep I wait a couple of seconds and then press the start button. Sometimes the engine will fire up and off we gone, sometimes I hear a click. I then wait a few more seconds and try again. Sometimes it can be up to 6 tries, is this normal?

Also a couple of days ago we sailed from Fareham Creek to Lymnigton. Because the wind was low we power sailed. As we approached Lymnigton the engine slowed and died. The engine would not restart so we sailed back to Fareham on sail only. After a couple of hours the engine did refire. I check oil, fuel lines, water cooling etc., all looked good. When we reached Portsmouth Harbour we fire her up and dropped the sailed and then slowly made our way home. Any ideas what could be wrong please or is 5 hours too much for a 40+ year old engine?

 

[andsarkit]

Definitely not normal. My 30 year old 1GM10 starts instantly.
You need to check and clean all the connections to the starter and battery including ground connections. There is also a fuse in the harness that sometimes gives trouble.
The engine slowly dying is usually fuel. Either an air leak sucking in air not fuel or a blockage somewhere in the filters or tank pick up.
A methodical check is the only answer to eliminate the faults.

If you are young and strong you could try the starting handle. I could do this in my youth but no longer.

 

[garymalmgren]

To answer your last question first.
is 5 hours too much for a 40+ year old engine?

The answer is definitely, NO.

To move on to your problems
1, The clicking of the starter motor circuit.( sometimes I hear a click. )
This will most probably be a loose or dirty wiring connection in your starter motor circuit.
You can bridge this circuit (in an emergency or as a test ) by using a screwdriver to make contact between the two large lugs on your starter motor solenoid or the active lug and the solenoid activation spade terminal (check your manual to identify these).
If the starter motor turns over without the clicking, you have a loose or dirty wiring connection in your starter motor circuit.
You will need to pull apart, clean and spray all connectors in the starter motor curcuit. Yanmars (and othe engines) are pretty notorious for low quantity engine wiring.

2, the engine slowed and died. The engine would not restart This is most probably fuel.
Change the fuel filters. There is no real visual check that will tell you if they are OK.
Many engines have a primary filter before the fuel pump and a secondary filter after the fuel pump.
I have no idea of what you have , but change and bleed.
Moving from the filters back to you tank.
There could be sludge, rust, growth or water in your fuel tank. Remove the tank outlet line and drain a litre or so of fuel, Maybe two. into a clear plastic bottle. How healthy does it look?
When we reached Portsmouth Harbour we fire her up
This often a symptom of a clogged fuel line pickup.
When the engine is running and there is suction the line clogs. When the engine is stopped and there is no suction the line clears itself and will therefore restart.
Does you tank have a pick up tube that fits to the top of the tank and draws fuel up? These often have a wire mesh filter on the bottom that can get clogged.

You have a very reliable engine that need basic service. If the service is not done, problems arise.
Have fun.

gary

 

[Pye_End]

There are no pre heaters on 1GM10 so no need to wait when you hear the beep.

As andsarkit says, though I would change 'including' to 'especially'! A tired battery may not help.

 

[Topcat47]

My experience of a relatively "old" 1GM10 is that :-

1. electrical problems are a high probability. Check connections, the bloody fuse, and the earth wire.

2. Make sure there's not an air lock anywhere in the fuel supply line.

3. Ensure the tank vent is clear.

4. Make sure the battery is good.

 

[kevsbox]

Thanks all, I will check these tips out this week

 

[dukeofted]

Check the earth cable first but I bet it is the starter solenoid feed wire from the switch panel. This was marginal when new and only gets worse with age. I completely cured the clicking starter on mine by using the original solenoid feed to drive a relay that had a feed directly off of the 12V starter connection.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Double check the fuel lines between the tank and the lift pump. The lift pump sucks fuel from the tank and the smallest leak on any of the fittings will allow air into the system. This was a problem I experienced a few years ago; the engine would run for a few hours before slowing and eventually stopping.
If you have a CAV filter don’t overtighten the the bolt holding it all together. It distorts the large O-rings and the one under the bolt.
Try painting the compression fittings with ‘liquid whipping’; that stuff used to seal rope ends. If that cures your problem look to replace the hoses and fittings.