Anyone...2 cyl hand start diesel marine engine...

[Pipeline]

Who makes a good one?

[Alasdair]

The early 1980s Yanmar 2QM and 3QM diesels could be hand started with a crank handle. These engines wer solidly built, reliable and have built a reputation for longevity. I have a 3QM that can be hand cranked. If i try to get all 3 cylinders to fire the crank speed i can muster will not overcome the compression. The only way to hand start the engine is to fire the motor on one cylinder then disengage the compression lever on the other two cylinder once the engine has started. Also have a look at BUKH Marine Diesels DV24 These motors can be hand cranked, are still in production, well built with a great reputation.

[charliehows]

ive got a 2qm20, went to a bit of trouble to replace the handcranking mechanism and chain and its not a viable proposition to try and hand start these engines. One day when ive got nothing better to do i might try disconnecting the bar joining the valve lifters and see if it can be started on one cyl. It sure as hell cant be started on 2.

[GrowleyMonster]

Yeah fir a 2 cyl you want to throw on the compression on one cyl and then the other.a couple revs between them.

[gjordan]

Many years ago I saw a 2 cylinder diesel that had a shaft with a very course thread on it(like a worm screw), that you set the compression release lever onto, and you could use both hands to get the engine turning and after about 6 turns the lever would come off of the end of the shaft and give you compression while you were still cranking with both hands. It was better than the early Volvos that you had to let go of the crank with one hand and swat the compression release lever over and hope it started. I think it was Norwegian built, but not sure. Maybe someone else here will remember the brand.____Grant.

[Nicholson58]

I raced as crew on a Heritage One Ton for years in a previous life. It had a 35 HP diesel with compression release. It was very easy to start, even in cold weather. Hand crank and pop the lever. Started every time. Very useful if the battery crapped out in a long race. It was in the 70's - to 80's. I think it was Yanmar but it was a very long time ago. Could have been Perkins.

[Panope]

Long ago my father had a 2qm15. He was very strong and in great physical condition. He tried once to start the engine by hand cranking. The instant the compression release lever was returned to normal position - with him still cranking - his thumb was broken from kickback. Flywheel was not large enough.

Steve

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

I raced as crew on a Heritage One Ton for years in a previous life. It had a 35 HP diesel with compression release. It was very easy to start, even in cold weather. Hand crank and pop the lever. Started every time. Very useful if the battery crapped out in a long race. It was in the 70's - to 80's. I think it was Yanmar but it was a very long time ago. Could have been Perkins.

I was correct - Yanmar 2-cyl. The skipper confirmed. And as I noted, it was dead easy to start. There was an access hole in the engine cover behind the companion steps. Remove the steps and the large round port; remove the port on the starboard side; reach in and pull the release; engine in neutral; crew member #1 cranks and removes the handle; crew #2 pops the lever. We never had to try a second time.

[gjordan]

The worm screw ( or whatever the proper name was) made it a one man operation.____Grant.

[SkiprJohn]

Albin AD2 starts easily by handcrank. The old Volvo of the same design starts that way too. They both have compression release levers and a heavy flywheel. You hand crank and then lower one lever at a time to get her to run.

I don't know of a new engine that has that very dependable feature.

kind regards,

[gjordan]

Lister used to make small diesels that could be hand cranked. They were air cooled so the marine application required a lot of air ducting. Very heavy for the horse power, but would run forever. I dont know if they are still manufactured or not.______Grant.

[barnakiel]

VP MD7 e.g..

[GrowleyMonster]

Originally Posted by gjordan

Lister used to make small diesels that could be hand cranked. They were air cooled so the marine application required a lot of air ducting. Very heavy for the horse power, but would run forever. I dont know if they are still manufactured or not.______Grant.

Yes they are still used in fishing boats particularly gulf of Mexico shrimp boats, for pumping seawater and bilges, and charging the 36vdc system. I cranked many of them in my yiuth and they do indeed last forever. However they are noisy and vibrate a lot.

[gjordan]

35 years ago, most of the villages in the Marquesas had a 1 cylinder Lister generator that would be cranked to life at dark and shut off around 10 PM. I wonder how things are now. Poles and lines all over????.____Grant.

[Kinkajou]

I used to own a german diesel 2cyl (Deutz brand...) and that thing was impossible to start the moment it was a bit cold....and on a good day you still had to have a good det of biceps on you and pretty often starting fluid as well...on top of that, that thing was noisy as hell...