Yanmar slow to start

[jeremyshaw]

When I leave my boat for a few months my main Yanmar engines (it's a cat) fire up immediately.

But my Kohler genset, which has a Yanmar 2 cylinder engine, takes quite a bit of cranking. Then if runs fine and starts first time thereafter.

So what can be the cause? I wondered if fuel was 'dropping out' of the system, but if so that would mean an air leak and I'd surely have other problems.

The boat is in the Caribbean, so no issues with warming up.

Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Talbot]

I reckon that you are being too quick to eradicate an air leak.

 

[Oldhand]

Has it got a small fuel filter in a metal canister attched to the engine? If so, in my experience, these can weap a bit of diesel, thus let a little air into the system. Even after attending to that I always found a 3GM needed a lot of churning to start, unlike the JH series that start instantly.

 

[jeremyshaw]

Thanks for the suggestions. The filter is a glass bowl type, but maybe as has been suggested I am too quick to eliminate an air leak. I guess I should try priming it first next time and see if that makes a difference.