Trouble starting again in colder weather

S

sparky

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
215
Fluid Motion Model
C-32 C
Hull Identification Number
FMLC2413G617
Non-Fluid Motion Model
36' Endeavour Trawler Catamaran
Vessel Name
MoonBeam
I really hope we are not revisiting last fall's starting issues with the Cummins engine. We had the new ECM installed back in March and things have been great ever since.

Until this weekend. On Columbus Day we ran the boat for 30 minutes (turned back due to weather!). Just days later, on Saturday, with temperatures just below 50 degrees, it took multiple tries and required the battery switches to be in parallel. Sunday she started just on the engine battery but it still took three tries. This is exactly what happened one year ago.

Anyone else?

Sparky
 
Sparky

I hope this is not something in our futrue to deal with but you got me scared now.
Please keep us inform.

Dennis
 
Levitation started first try the last two months of the summer that we had her (cold summer here in mid michigan) until the Saturday we went to pull her...
It had been mid 40's that night and was about 48-50 when we got there... Had to parallel the batteries and do multiple tries..
I do not suspect the ECM... I have an engine room heater (low heat, non fire hazard) and should have had that on all night.. Lesson learned..
So, put in an electrical heater and use it... Or, have a source of heat such as a propane blower (Dragon Heater, etc.) to get the block warm before cranking... Diesel works by squeezing the intake mixture until it explodes... if the cylinder walls are a cold, and the thick oil and higher compression (when cold) is slowing the cranking, it won't quite reach ignition temperature...

denny-o
 
It is funny how some diesels will cold start much better than others. My 2000 Ford Powerstroke (International engine) has never failed to start on first try even below 15 degrees. My previous Ford tractor (japenese) was murder to start below 40 degrees even when significant use of glow plugs. Both my current Kubota tractors start instantly at 30 degrees with no use of glow plugs (any colder than that & I will not be out on a tractor). I had an older Isuzu diesel car that was OK but wsa hard to start in cold weather. My Yanmar in my tug has always started instantly and does not seem to care about cold.
 
Thanks,
We have the Xtreme engine compartment heater (see pics in my album) but I don't consider 49 degrees Cold.
 
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