Glow Plug / Engine

[zipwhittle]

I'm looking for a little advice/input. My 1986 CD 30 has a universal 18 engine. The engine turns over just fine but won't start. It's been on he hard for two seasons. I know the fuel pump is working. My hunch is there's no power to the glow plug or the glow plug is bad. The engine was running fine when I pulled out of water in "2010" My question is, does the engine need the glow plug to start? I've always pressed the glow plug button because that's what I was told to do, even though I thought it was mostly for the cold weather.

[nessie]

I have a CD30 with the same engine. Mine really likes some time with the glow plugs first. I am in New England.

Are you remembering to hold both buttons in at once to start it?

The last time mine just wouldn't start, it turned out to be the engine stop lever had seized up in open position at the engine. Some WD-40 and some wiggling freed it up and got me started.

Best of luck!

[Bruce Bett]

When you press the button send juice to the glow plugs you should see the volt meter needle move. If it does not then electricity is not getting to the plugs. Am I to understand that the motor hasn't been used it 2 years? Have bled the fuel line? Are both of the fuel filters good? Check both the fuel shut off (that you normally use to shut off the engine) and pressure release. That at least is what occurs to me off the top.

Bruce

[John Martin]

...Just to add to the above. Carina had the same problem. See Universal Service bulletin #213, April 13, 1994. The current wire is too small gauge. Do not cut or disconnect anything. Simply parallel another wire to the exsisting contacts. Should fix the problem. Now Carina starts fine.

[Brian2]

I'd second the idea to bleed the lines. My M-18 needed bleeding every season. It is easy to bleed the M-18. Just turn the key to on so the fuel pump is pumping, ten open the knurled knob on one of the injectors and it will bleed itself.

Brian