Hard to start engine when warm - solution!

[Tom]

About a month back there was a thread about the Universal engines being hard to start especially when warm because they won't crank. I have discovered what I believe is the cure and I can't beliene it took me 12 years to figure this out. I have the model 25, 21 horseppower with three cylinders, but I'm guessing they all work the same.

When I pull the T-handle on the decompression cable all the way out, it sticks open but a little nudge and it snaps back in. When you want to start, what you do is pull this handle all the way out. Now crank the engine -- it starts cranking immediately and a lot faster than usual since there is no compression load on it. Once it starts cranking just nudge the T-handle with your wrist while still cranking. It snaps back and the engine fires off immediately. So far it's worked every time and I can't believe I didn't think of this before!

This will probably be easier on the starter motor because it won't be heating up trying to turn an immovable force, easier on the batteries because they won't be heating up trying to deliver big amps to crank the engine, and easier on the skipper's thumb too.



TomCambria@mindspring.com

[Chris Reinke - CD330 Inni]

Tom - I have experienced the same problems which you mention and feel a bit embarrassed to say I never considered your approach. What a simple fix for a problem which has haunted me for years. This is the type of ideas that make this board so valuable. Please keep an eye out for my CD330 if you are sailing between NYC and Boston. I owe you a drink!

Chris Reinke
CD330 - Innisfail

About a month back there was a thread about the Universal engines being hard to start especially when warm because they won't crank. I have discovered what I believe is the cure and I can't beliene it took me 12 years to figure this out. I have the model 25, 21 horseppower with three cylinders, but I'm guessing they all work the same.

When I pull the T-handle on the decompression cable all the way out, it sticks open but a little nudge and it snaps back in. When you want to start, what you do is pull this handle all the way out. Now crank the engine -- it starts cranking immediately and a lot faster than usual since there is no compression load on it. Once it starts cranking just nudge the T-handle with your wrist while still cranking. It snaps back and the engine fires off immediately. So far it's worked every time and I can't believe I didn't think of this before!

This will probably be easier on the starter motor because it won't be heating up trying to turn an immovable force, easier on the batteries because they won't be heating up trying to deliver big amps to crank the engine, and easier on the skipper's thumb too.

chris.reinke@transamerica.com

[Richard Feffer]

Thanks for the tip! However I don't think that will work on the Westerbeke engines. I believe the shut off on them is a fuel cut off on the injection pump and not a compression release. Definately worth a closer look though! Yanmar has compression release levers on top of each cylinder, but I never had a problem starting when I had one.

Richard Feffer
CD30MKII
Adamarie



RichFef@Prodigy.net