Volvo MD2020

[CaptJDK]

I own an ETAP 32S sailboat (2014) with a Volvo MD2020 Diesel engine.

The engine refuses to start unless I give it a blast of starter fluid.

One the engine starts, I have no problem restarting it for about a day but, if I let is sit for 24 hours, it will not restart. It will restart after about 8 attempts if after my last use of the day, I close the fuel shut-off valve but not always and I may have to use the starting fluid again.

Does anyone have any experience with this kind of trouble? A local marine Volvo marine Diesel company here in Florida told me that they do not even want to service this model, which in fact is a Perkins. Any words of wisdom?
It looks like I may have a leak between the fuel pump and the tank but I am not sure on how to address that,

[tkeithlu]

It sounds like you are losing prime in your fuel line - as you suspect. It sounds like you are using the strarter fluid or cranking the starter forever to get fuel all the way to the injectors.

I would look for the leak above the lift pump. I suggest you wipe down the fuel lines with a dry paper towel and see where you get fuel on it.

[tkeithlu]

Phooey on them for rejecting your motor. That's rude.

[belizesailor]

I own a couple of MD2020s and they dont like to start cold...so test your glow plugs, they dont last forever. And the relay that drives them, a common problem...mounted in the the black box near the exhuast elbow.

Also as suggested above could be a vaccum leak or other fuel delivery issue. Vaccum leaks are often a bitch to isolate.

Easy on that starter fluid, its best used only as a diagnostics tool not SOP.

[Lepke]

If you have Ac power, try pointing a hair dryer into the intake and see if that helps. If with heat the engine starts, it could be a glow plug or compression issue.
When a diesel start after cranking a long time, it's often because of compression. When the air in the cylinder is compressed, it gets hot. 500°F+ is needed to reach the ignition temp of diesel. Long cranking is gradually raising the temps in the cylinder, warming the engine and eventually reaching ignition temp.

[Cowpoos]

Glowplugs I would guess as well for these engines.

[CaptJDK]

Thank you. I will check that out but glowplugs are OK.

[Thumbs Up]

Starting fluid is not recommended for most diesels. Those (md series) engines have precombustion chambers and rely on glowplugs. If you must use a starting fluid try wd-40.