Yanmar crankstart

[interlude38233]

Happy Springtime to all on the board. My question is in regards to starting the Yanmar when the batteries are totally discharged. I need to know if I'm doing this right. 1)fuel on 2)key on 3)decompression lever moved 4)get the engine rolling with the crank 5)move the decomp. lever back as I give it fuel. At that point it should start ,right? Will I damage the valves by quickly moving the decomp. lever back so quickly? Should I move the battery switch from both to 1 bank or the other. I saw nothing on this subject in the archives or any Yanmar publications. Thanks in advance for any positive comments.

 

[Victor Copelan]

I have cranked mine once. I wore my arm out trying to do what you describe.

Bottom line:

Your procedure is almost right. You have to disconnect the inter-connections between the cylindars on the decompression lever. Start with all cylindars decompressed. Turn the crank and kick in only one cylindar (it may take a few of tries). Once the engine starts on one then kick in the second and then the third when the second gets rolling.

It will work but it is a pain in the butt and God help you in cold weather.

Fairwinds and Full Batteries,

Vic C.

 

[jimcleary]

Geoff
As Vic said, it's near impossible to hand crank. I used the hand crank once just to see if I could do it. It was a hot day and the engine had been running less than a hour before. It worked with all three cylinders decompressed together. But in the process I think I lost 10 lbs and nearly broke my arm. After that experience the crank mechanism was removed to provide better access to the fuel filter and I pay very good attention to the state of my batteries.

Jim

 

[jdgreen]

Vic and Jim thanks for the imput. I'll be sure to keep full batteries so my arm can raise the rum drinks.

 

[maluhia]

The hand crank is dangerous! I removed mine completely.
Jim