Westerbeke -Problem or not-help please!

[Richard Feffer]

I recently purchased a 1988 CD30MKII with a Westerbeke W21A 3 cylinder diesel engine. This engine has glow plugs and requires use of them prior to starting. On the first start of the day, it is necessary for me to hold the glow plug switch for at least a minute and a half, sometimes as much as two minutes, before the engine will start. This seems a little excessive to me. The book says 30 seconds which I think might not be enough to heat up the precombustion chamber. Once the engine starts, it runs fine. There is no excessive smoke which would indicate too much raw fuel. I have replaced all the glow plugs, but it didn't change the way it starts.
My question is: Do I have a problem or is this typical of this model? Someone suggested I may have a voltage drop. Another suggestion was a fuel pressure problem. The engine has about 800 hours. Has anyone had their injectors rebuilt? Did it make a difference?
Thanks for all suggestions and comments!
Richard




RichFef@Prodigy.net

[Catherine Monaghan]

Richard,

Our CD32 has a Westerbeke 21A diesel. We only have to depress the preheat switch for about 15 seconds and she always starts right up.

Make sure you only depress the preheat switch, count to 15 keeping it depressed the entire time, then while continuing to depress the preheat switch, depress the start switch. It should crank for a few seconds then start.

Also, make sure the engine is in neutral and give it a bit of throttle, before trying this procedure. Once the engine's starts, throttle back down where she'll idle without stalling.

I think if it takes more than 15 seconds, there's definitely something wrong.


catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

I recently purchased a 1988 CD30MKII with a Westerbeke W21A 3 cylinder diesel engine. This engine has glow plugs and requires use of them prior to starting. On the first start of the day, it is necessary for me to hold the glow plug switch for at least a minute and a half, sometimes as much as two minutes, before the engine will start. This seems a little excessive to me. The book says 30 seconds which I think might not be enough to heat up the precombustion chamber. Once the engine starts, it runs fine. There is no excessive smoke which would indicate too much raw fuel. I have replaced all the glow plugs, but it didn't change the way it starts.
My question is: Do I have a problem or is this typical of this model? Someone suggested I may have a voltage drop. Another suggestion was a fuel pressure problem. The engine has about 800 hours. Has anyone had their injectors rebuilt? Did it make a difference?
Thanks for all suggestions and comments!
Richard

catherine_monaghan@merck.com

[M. R. Bober]

Have you checked your batteries? I have had a similiar problem(adventure?) with a Universal. When the batteries are "down" it takes a LOT longer to energize the relay/circuit before the starter will kick-in.
Hope this helps.

Mitchell Bober
RESPITE
CD330



thebobers@erols.com

[Craig Urquhart]

Having driven a diesel (VW) car for many years into high mileage(175K), I'd pass along the following experience. When required to cycle the glow plugs repeatly, it ususally meant 1 of 3 things. The glow plugs were on the way out, the fuse to the glow plugs was partially "open", presenting a substantial voltage drop, or the battery was discharged, which could typically be detected by sluggish cranking.

My Westerbeke W13 starts with no more then a 15 second heat cycle typically. I'd take a close look at the electrical and thermal side of business before getting into fuel distribution.

Craig Urquhart
Satu CD27 #272

I recently purchased a 1988 CD30MKII with a Westerbeke W21A 3 cylinder diesel engine. This engine has glow plugs and requires use of them prior to starting. On the first start of the day, it is necessary for me to hold the glow plug switch for at least a minute and a half, sometimes as much as two minutes, before the engine will start. This seems a little excessive to me. The book says 30 seconds which I think might not be enough to heat up the precombustion chamber. Once the engine starts, it runs fine. There is no excessive smoke which would indicate too much raw fuel. I have replaced all the glow plugs, but it didn't change the way it starts.
My question is: Do I have a problem or is this typical of this model? Someone suggested I may have a voltage drop. Another suggestion was a fuel pressure problem. The engine has about 800 hours. Has anyone had their injectors rebuilt? Did it make a difference?
Thanks for all suggestions and comments!
Richard

Satu@gwi.net

[Jeff Partington]

I recently purchased a 1988 CD30MKII with a Westerbeke W21A 3 cylinder diesel engine. This engine has glow plugs and requires use of them prior to starting. On the first start of the day, it is necessary for me to hold the glow plug switch for at least a minute and a half, sometimes as much as two minutes, before the engine will start. This seems a little excessive to me. The book says 30 seconds which I think might not be enough to heat up the precombustion chamber. Once the engine starts, it runs fine. There is no excessive smoke which would indicate too much raw fuel. I have replaced all the glow plugs, but it didn't change the way it starts.
My question is: Do I have a problem or is this typical of this model? Someone suggested I may have a voltage drop. Another suggestion was a fuel pressure problem. The engine has about 800 hours. Has anyone had their injectors rebuilt? Did it make a difference?
Thanks for all suggestions and comments!
Richard

Richard-

I have a similar Westerbeke that generally starts within 15-20 seconds AFTER pre-heating the engine for about 15-20 seconds. The major variable is the amount of fuel. As a standard procedure, I idle the engine at 1500 RPM before shutdown because if I leave it in normal idle (1000 RPM) she cranks forever until I juice the throttle. You may want to shutdown at 1500 and see what happens.
I do agree with the other respondents about battery charge because that is also a major variable. My guess is fuel and perhaps your idle is too low for starting easily.

Best Wishes

Jeff Partington
S/V Whisper Hull # 24



Captjester@AOL.com

[Richard Barry]

I am beginning to have a similar problem with my engine - same model as yours and about the same hours. I have new batteries, so that can't be the problem. Advancing the throttle does not help. Heating the glow plug for one minute (which so far has solved the problem) is not terribly inconvenient, but I would like to know what is happening. Sorry I can't be more help. Dick



rbarry@bassberry.com

[Boyd Bundy]

I have a 30 MKII with the same engine. It had a similar hard start problem when I first got the boat. This was due to poor compression as a result of bad exhaust valves. Cylinder readings were 350, 375, and 425. The engine ilded rough more another brand than a Westerbeke. The engine had only 600 hours on it. Not much for a 1986 boat. The engine had not been well maintained by the previous owners. I was aware of the lame condition of the engine at purchase. Changing the filters, engine oil (several times), and running continuously under load for several hours helped some. However the engine eventually failed due to poor compression about 100 hours later. I rebuilt the engine (rings and valves) and all hard starting problems have gone away. It now starts immediately after a 10-15 second preheat count. Always crack the throtle open a bit. Mine will usually not start at all with the throttle set at idle. I suggest that you check compression to see if this is really the source of the problem. Lack of compression and slow cranking speed are the most basic source of hard starting in diesls. You might also check to see if your starter electrical wires and connections are good. High resistance will drop the voltage and cause slow cranking.



wbta@pstcomputers.com