Starting a Universal 25

[David Brownlee]

We'd love some tutelage on starting our Universal 25. The engine runs beautifully, but we haven't had consistently good luck in getting it to fire up. Here are some questions:

1. Does one always use the glowplugs? For how long should the toggle switch be held "on"? Does this vary according to temperature or other conditions?

2. How far should the throttle be advanced? Should it be revved up when the engine starts to catch, throttled back, or left alone?

3. If the engine doesn't start at once, is it best to wait for a minute or push on immediately? Should the glowplugs be used again?

Thanks!

Ann and David Brownlee
CD 31 #1 WINDRUSH
Havre de Grace, MD



dbrownle@sas.upenn.edu

[Tom]

We'd love some tutelage on starting our Universal 25. The engine runs beautifully, but we haven't had consistently good luck in getting it to fire up. Here are some questions:

1. Does one always use the glowplugs? For how long should the toggle switch be held "on"? Does this vary according to temperature or other conditions?

2. How far should the throttle be advanced? Should it be revved up when the engine starts to catch, throttled back, or left alone?

3. If the engine doesn't start at once, is it best to wait for a minute or push on immediately? Should the glowplugs be used again?

Thanks!

Ann and David Brownlee
CD 31 #1 WINDRUSH
Havre de Grace, MD

Glow plugs preheat the cylinders so that they will be warm when the diesel fuel is injected. This usually takes about 30 seconds. This has to be done regardless of the outside temperature because the seawater in the jackets around the cylinders keep it cool inside the engine. One the engine has been running though and has come up to temperature you don't need them because the cylinders are already warm. Once the engine stops, it starts cooling down so there is a point where you will need the glow plugs again. If you watch your temperature gauge you can see how long it takes for the engine to cool down once it stops running. (the ignition key has to be on for the gauges to register).

The glow plugs only heat the air in the cylinder so if the engine doesn't start they won't warm up the cylinder by themselves to any extent and you'll have to use them again.

You'll want to advance the throttle lever about a quarter of the way up because at the idle if you didn't get the plugs heated enough the engine can die until it gets warmed up (all that cold air rushing in cools the cylinders). You don't want to advance it all the way up because you don't want to run the engine at high speed until the oil gets circulating. They say that most engine wear occurs in the first couple of minutes of running when the rings aren't well lubricated. Just like your car -- you wouldn't want to start it with the gas pedal floored.

So here's your starting procedure: After checking to see that the through houlls are open and there is oil on the dipstick, you turn on the ignition key. Depending upon the console model that you have there will probably be a little red light that lights up. This is your oil pressure warning light that tells you there is no oil pressure. (some boats have a buzzer). You advance the throttle lever forward slightly. Now you press and hold the glow plug button firmly (on my console it's on the left) (you will probably see the oil pressure light dim slightly because the glow plugs put a heavy drain on the battery). While holding the button you count slowly to 30 or if you're wearing a watch look at your watch. When the time is up while still holding the glow plug button down you also push on the start button. The engine will start to turn over. These Universals are very quick to start if there isn't anything wrong with them and will usually start within a second or two. If it doesn't start within a few seconds, stop cranking to give your starter motor a rest.

Since you've drawn some cold air down into the cylinders by cranking it over you'll want to heat the glow plugs again maybe not for the whole 30 seconds though. Then try cranking again. If it doesn't start right up you've got something going on. Your glow plugs may be worm out and not actually heating the cylinders even though you're pressing the button. You may have algea in the fuel and it's clogged the injectors, you may have air in the line that needs to be bled, you may have a clogged fuel filter that is not letting fuel pass etc. Diesels are VERY sensitive to bad fuel. The fact that the fuel looks clean doesn't mean anything. The slightest black coating on the surface of your fuel filter will stop you dead even though the fuel looks clear.

If this doesn't fix it, write back we can go from there. Most likely problems are clogged fuel filters or air in the line. Either will prevent you from starting at all. None of this running rough or anything like with gas engines. Air in line or dirty fuel - no start period.



TomCambria@mindspring.com

[Tom]

I just noiticed that you said it runs OK once it's running. That eliminates air in line or dirty fuel or all of that. Once it starts you don't want to goose it. When you advance the throttle suddenly on a diesel the injector pump momentarily goes to wide open and injects a large amount of fuel into the cylinder with no increase in air thus you momentarily flood the cylinder until the engine speed can catch up. Rather than fiddle with the throttle, once the engine starts look at your tachometer. If you're above 1000 rpm throttle back a little. Idle speed is about 700 rpm on these but when the engine is cold they may idle a little above that. After a minute when the engine is running smoothly and the exhaust smoke has stopped you can throttle back to idle for the rest of the warm up.

BTW you don't want to idle for a long time and then shut the engine down. Before shutting down, slowly advance the throttle until you're up to cruising speed 1800-2000 rpm. Let it run at that speed for a minute to "blow out the injectors", then come down to the idle and shut it off right away. This makes starting the next time easier and minimizes smoke on the next start up.

Hope this helps.



TomCambria@mindspring.com

[len]

david

it's a virus! - my universal 25 has been having some trouble starting and then runs fine - tom's suggestions are great - also, the condition of the battery makes a difference

len



md.frel@nwh.org