Westerbeke 8 generator will not start

[transmitterdan]

Glow plugs don't generally fail that often. If two are failed on one side and one works on another side suspect the wiring first. Check with volt meter to be sure voltage is getting to each of the glow plugs. Alternatively switch plugs from one side to the other and see if a "bad" plug magically starts working. If it does then the wire might be broken somewhere.

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by woodyapex

Just back to the initial prognosis from an expert , he said it was exhaust elbow , and it's not but is there anything just before that elbow that could cause this .
While cranking while he was here it early started .
He just stopped and said exhaust .?

A diesel or any other ICE basically needs fuel, air and heat to work. The air side of the equation assumes both intake and exhaust to function. If the exhaust side is plugged, then you could expect the engine to start, but not develop any power and sputter to a stop - that is likely what your expert diagnosed. It's just like stuffing a potato in your tail-pipe, except with a diesel it's likely caused by a build-up of soot. If you want to ensure this is not the case, then remove the exhaust manifold and elbow, ensure both are clear and replace them. Do not reconnect the exhaust hose; you can put a 5-gallon bucket under the elbow to catch the water, and see if it will start.

[Lodesman]

The part number for the glow plug is 24353, but I am not convinced yet that you need new ones.

[woodyapex]

Hi guys
Lodesman
I definitely tested the glow plugs and the last two were definilty dead.
What appears to have happened is . The soliniod went faulty ( this is decimate ) it seems to have put voltage into the plugs until the last two gave up the ghost . At that point the purple wire that comes from the soloniod and puts power to them also packed in .
These have been tested and were not working .
Now better to be safe then sorry after the talk about injectors , I've had them tested , they are good although not amazing but work as good as they need to . ( what's thoughts on sea foam ect when I get it running )
So I now have three new injectors ( thanks for the part number . )
I have a brand new soloniod .
New wires .
And I'm about to fit it all .
I'll keep you posted .
Thanks again and again what's your thoughts on sea foam .
Woody
One way to know how an engine works is to re build the thing lol .

[woodyapex]

Ps it seems if a heater plug fails the end will get slightly bulging ( mine did )

[woodyapex]

Nooooooo
4 am I got the geni back together .
And it will not start 😭
I need some ideas , again I can't help but think it an exhaust problem .
The elbow is clear but there is no fumes/ ' smoke in burnt fuel nor nowt coming out of the back of the boat . All I'm getting is a puh puh puh noise out . The water is off by the way as recommended by one of you guys .
This is proving a right pain in the backside .
Thanks

[Lodesman]

Take the exhaust hose off the elbow and feel if there is any output when you crank it.
Have you confirmed the air intake is not obstructed?
If air can go in and nothing is coming out, then it's time to remove the exhaust manifold.

[woodyapex]

Luckily for me lodesman the exhaust pipe is brand new ( it was the first job I did )
So I'm going to take it off now .
I'll let you know .
Thanks

[Scrimshaw4]

You might also want to check the oil pressure sending unit and circuit. The engine won't start if it senses low oil pressure.

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by Scrimshaw4

You might also want to check the oil pressure sending unit and circuit. The engine won't start if it senses low oil pressure.

Holding down the preheat switch bypasses that switch. That's why you are supposed to keep it depressed for a few seconds after starting, for the oil pressure to come up.

[Scott Berg]

Old trick: try to run it on WD40
Spray in the intake and hit preheat and start
If it starts and runs its glow plugs
Runs till you stop the spray it's the fuel solenoid



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[leftbrainstuff]

Originally Posted by woodyapex

I really need to get the geni going in the next 24 hours ideally .
So any help will be much appreciated .
So I've not had this generator run since I got it but ,
I had a guy from the keys give it a quick turn over . And he did a few things and it gave a cough and splutter and died again . At this point he sighted that it's the exhaust a that was all he said . Any how it will turn over but maybe not that fast , I've since found the 2 fuel filters full of **** and I mean full .
With those changed it still does not run . Not even a hint of running .
Fuel is coming out of every thing I open so it seems that the fuel pump is ok .
So
My thoughts
Could it be all 3 injectors .
Could it be the injector pump .
Could it be heater plugs .

What would you guys suggest ?
I need to get this fixed asap
Thanks in advance woody

FACT. Fuel, air, compression and timing. All need to be in spec for a diesel to run.

I dont recommend using wd40 or other starting aids. They de oil the bores and the engine will get addicted to it.

Fuel is the usual issue with diesels. Sounds like you have contaminated fuel. Now the fun begins. If crud has got past your filters to the injection pump or injectors you have real problems.

Might be worth checking there is no exhaust or inlet obstruction. These checks are easy.

Diesels are very reliable and trouble free. But they wont tolerate any fuel contamination.

We run a 30 micron primary, 10 micron secondary and 2 micron tertiary fuel filters. We polish weekly. You will never have fuel that is too clean.

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[Lodesman]

Woody? Ya still there?
Guess he got it started, or has given up completely.

[Xthewater]

Woody
We're dangling here wondering what's happened with your Herculean efforts getting the generator running? Many of us have been there btw. You can do it and once done you'll be one of many giving advice.

[woodyapex]

Really sorry guys
Put it all back together . ( injector pump worked perfect on test too .)
I even hooked the injectors up out of the engine and they seemed to work perfect .
On turning it over now I get smoke out of the air intake ( that's with trying to start it on wd40 sprayed in there as advised by the mechanic .

And nowt I can't help but think it it the exhaust or ( the curse of bleeding the westerbeke ) after all there's now talk of its not really self bleeding ?

But the delay replying has been caused by not having a minute .
We unfurled the in mast main and luff was shot I was up while 4 am sewing and patching .

So as I write now we are eunroute to Bimini just passing isleamorada.
With a bottle of champagne to drink at midnight .

So what's your thoughts on the geni now .
Happy new year everyone