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Restarting the engine


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On the final countdown now for returning to the canals.

When we left the boat we prepped the engine for six months of idleness by:

Oil and filter change followed by a few minutes run time to circulate the clean oil through the engine.

Slackened off all the drive belts.

Removed the air filter and exhaust lines and blocked them off to prevent air flow through the engine.

Filled the diesel tank to capacity and gave it a healthy dose of biocide.

 

After reinstating and prior to restarting I intend to replace the fuel filters, check all fluid levels and then, push the button?

Or should I turn the engine over slowly by hand first? Give it a squirt of oil through the air intake? Anything else that should be done when restarting a diesel after 6 months layup in temperatures ranging from -2° to +24°C?

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I think it would be fine to reinstate and "push the button". it certainly wouldn't hurt to turn the engine a few turns by hand to give the oil pump a head start but not essential. Definitely don't put any oil down the intake though as when that gets drawn into the cylinders the engine will very likely take off and possibly destroy itself. Years ago a friends father got a bulldozer into a very awkward position (more upside down than upright) and while he was standing next to it (still idling) pondering the predicament and how the boss would react it started to run on its own oil then took off and flew to bits...

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if accessible, suggest draining/pumping some fuel from the bottom of the fuel tank(s), in those low temperatures may have some water buildup from condensation, even with the full tank.

Good idea.

There is a conveniently located drain tap complete with hose at the bottom of the tank so I will draw off some diesel.

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No dramas about starting and engine after a long time of not running. Been a truckie here and Oz and the worst Worst WORST thing you can do is shoot down to the boat and run the engine a little to "keep it lubricated" every now and then. Just leave the dam thing! It's not going to hurt it one bit. You will soon spot those who do, look for clouds of blue smoke. One thing you should do is stuff a rag into your air intake and sump breather when laying over for a while, do it when the engine is still hot then forget about it. The engine itself will be fine. Once had a chaff cutter on the Grampians Station that had an old flathead Ford V8. Would spend 11 months under a tarp with starlings nesting in it and then would start first time off a bettery. What kills engines is not warming up fast enough under load and reving before the oil has properly lubricated, particularly turbos.

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