Yanmar Engine not starting

[John V Hansen]

My YANMAR  2gm20f is giving me pain. I have downloaded the Yanmar Service manual its for Models 

1 GM1 O(C)
2GM20(F)(C)
3GM30(F)(C)
3H M35(F)(C)

and it comes in at 143 pages. 

I am going through printing out pages for service and troubleshooting for the  2GM20 but I am also hoping to find a user or owners manual for it that is a little less heavy.

I think its more a blockage or simple problem as the engine turns but doesn't "catch" and start but I have not been able to sort it out. 

If anyone has recommendations for people or mechanics who they would recommend ( and maybe what they tend to charge ) That would be a great help. I also only have 1 key for the Yanmar panel and would love to get it copied but I cant seem to find anyone who has the necessary "blank"

The boat was sold to me as a Compass 29 but on a closer look at the rego it says 8.5 M which is 28 feet so now I am not sure if its a 28 or 29. 

HIN = AUWWA175472BD3
YANMAR diesel Engine # 12480

Many thanks for any tips, help or recommendations 

Cheers all John

 

[Maeling]

John It is most likely a C29 but without a profile pic it is hard to say definitively.

On the engine - it is a diesel. to start, it needs fuel and compression and that's about it.

Drain some fuel from the tank into a bottle - was there water there? be prepared to drain until there is no water.

Air in the fuel lines will stop it - drain 500 Ml of fuel into a clear bottle and see if there are any clear globues of water around the bottom. ? Did air stop coming out.

Trace along the fuel system from the fuel tank crack each joint to see if airbubbles come out if the tank is a gravity feed - when they stop, close that joint and move along the fuel line repeating all the way to each of the injectors. 

Take and post a few pics of the boat so we can see what you are dealing with.

Geoff Raebel

[John Hansen]

Thanks Geoff

OK will definitely try all of that . and post the pics. I will need to wait for the weather to clear a little. I also applied to join the "Yanmar Marine Engine Owner's Group" on Facebook - still waiting to see if I answered all the questions correctly enough to be admitted. I am hoping they have a few insights as well.

If the worst comes to the worst my son ( 18 and not keen on fixing engines he doesn't understand ) is suggesting replacing it. Needless to say this is a definitely last resort and when I suggested it was a lazy way out he was slightly offended.

So I will give it a college try once the rains stop.

Thanks again

Cheers John

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[Mando C29]

Hello John,

Geoff is spot on with checking the basics before getting too technical.

A couple of points (not necessarily in order)!!

1. Clean air ie clean filter.

2. Clean fuel (no air or water).

3. Motor spins rapidly ie battery fully charged and starter good.

4. Glow plugs if fitted are working (both).

5. Good fuel pressure to the injector pump.

I fitted an outboard motor fuel "squeezer" to my engine's diesel line so that I could make sure I always had pressure to the engine before starting.

If all the above are good you may like to try the following.

Spray some aero start (ether) onto a cloth (never directly into the air filter) and hold it AWAY , say 1inch from the air filter opening. If the engine starts, this could point to poor compression, dirty injectors etc that would require further investigation.

Let us know how you get on.

Regards,

Maurice.

[Maeling]

Thanks Maurice, good to have some help here.

Geoff

[Graeme Lock]

Hi John;

Have you bled the fuel system? Good place to start.

Cheers, Graeme

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[michael]

Can assume we it was running OK? Did it just not start one time after running? Slowly got worse and stopped?

The answers could assist in pointing in the right direction to work out answer to why it will not start now. 

I have a 2QM20 in my Compass 33.

Cheers

 Michael 

Pisces I33 

On Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 8:37:42 AM UTC+11 John V Hansen wrote:

[John Hansen]

Interesting comment about ethe.

The previous owner used ( and left me ) a can of "Start Ya Bastard" engine starter which he used and I have as well.

I assume this is ether your talking about but I was told to spray it directly into the air intake. So is that wrong and what are te consequences. Did I do some sort of damage there?

Hope not but willing to learn ( even if its the hard way)

Cheers John

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[Mando C29]

Hello John,

Starting an engine with ether should only ever be used as a diagnostic tool and not a regular occurrence.

The danger of spraying it directly into the air intake is that it can "pool" (so I've been told by my diesel fitter mate)

then go off with a bang which can destroy all sorts of bits. (hence less than more)

If it's needed every time then there is a underlying problem.

Hope you locate your problem,

Regards,

Maurice.

[Maeling]

My Dad in 1960-64 was supplying the Bass Strait fishing fleet.  He had one chap, bored with being tied-up, used Aerostart to clean the inside of his 2 way radio (just coming available).  Suddenly realising it was Noon, he closed up the set .   Booom!   - Oops

Ether has a low flash point!

Geoff