Yanmar 4 cyl dumper engine poor starter (2005 model)

[essexpete]

Hi All
Yanmar 4 pot in Thwaites Dumper. Less than 1k hours. Runs well no smoke or oil burn. Heater appears to work although I am not sure this needs heat this time of year as it is in the inlet manifold. Problem is starting, just like no fuel is going through. Plenty of fuel to injector pump via electric lift pump. Also appears to have fuel to injector when cracked off. No smoke when turning over. Thought it might be stop solenoid but with it removed no difference. Will generally start once run and seems worse when stood over a weekend. In desperation today I gave it a sniff of ether in the air filter duct and itb fired instantly and it ran all day stop and start. The engine pulls well so I do not believe it is lacking compression (as long as I don't keep using ether.The faster it turns over the less of a problem. Any ideas?

Thanks Peter

[Jeremy Rowland]

Pete from the symptoms that you describe it sounds like the manifold heater is faulty or not generating the heat required to get the engine running; I would look at changing that first, another daft thing to check but always worth a look is to check that the fuel tank is 'breathing' correctly and also the air and fuel filters are okay, those items would be my first 'port of call'

Jeremy

[essexpete]

Thanks Jeremy. I am not sure if this engine should really need heat when it is not cold. It does not have glow plugs just a non fueled manifold heater. There is not any smoke when winding over which makes me think lack of fuel. Runs fine once started. Tried it with a boost start and heat and it did fire more quickly but it was a bit slow later on when warm but not every time. Have noticed if it does not fire quickly a stop and another turn seems to be better.

[bigkit]

I reckon your probably drawing in a bit of air into the fuel line which lets the fuel drop back when its been stood. Once it's fired up on cocaine the reves pull the fuel up. My guess is to start checking over the fuel line from start to finish. Good luck.

[essexpete]

Clive I can see where you are coming from but there is an electric fuel pump and if there was a leak sure it would pump diesel out when the key is switched on?

[Mrsmackpaul]

the problem is in the return fuel line is siphoning air in when it is let sit for a while so you have to find were the air is getting in the return line and problem fixed

Paul

[bigkit]

We're on the same page Paul

[essexpete]

Thanks Guys that makes sense, will have a look.