Step by step

  1. Get the engine ignition key (and restroom key) on a yellow float keychain hanging on the engine raw cooling water intake valve.
  2. Open raw cooling water valve located in engine compartment just aft the salon floor.
  3. Open exhaust valve located in starboard side of the aft lazarette.
  4. Open the fuel petcock located at forward end of starboard cockpit locker.
  5. Turn the main battery switch (large black rotary switch) to "1" the starting battery.
  6. Insert the key into the ignition switch located on the instrument panel on the starboard side of the cockpit.
  7. Pull out the gear box disengagement plunger, aluminum, just aft the throttle.
  8. Lift the ring just below the ball on the end of the throttle, to take the engine out of gear, and move the throttle fully forward while holding the ring up.
  9. Turn the key to the "On" position.
  10. Turn the key to the "Start" position, for up to 10 seconds. Release the key once the engine starts.
  11. If the engine does not start on the first try, wait 20 seconds before trying again. (starter motor should be allowed to cool.)
  12. Once the engine fires, throttle back to about 1,000 RPM.
  13. VERIFY the flow of cooling water and exhaust out the exhaust opening located under starboard side of the counter stern.
  14. In general, a diesel should be run at load rather than partially loaded. Its fine to run the engine at 2,500rpm.
  15. Alternator operation can be checked using the voltmeter in the BlueSea BelowDeck 12V Socket and Dual USB Charger three position panel mounted inside the cabin below the "crab tile" on the electrical panel. Voltmeter should read about 14.2V while the engine is running.

In the event of cool/cold weather:

  1. Close the raw cooling water valve located in engine compartment just aft the salon floor.
  2. Pull the decompression levers on both engine cylinders forward.
  3. Crank the engine for ten seconds to warm the cylinders using the friction of the pistons moving.
  4. Push the decompression levers on both engine cylinders fully aft to their normal, engine running, position.
  5. Start engine as indicated above.
  6. OPEN the raw cooling water valve located in engine compartment just aft the salon floor.
  7. VERIFY the flow of cooling water and exhaust out the exhaust port located under starboard side of the counter stern.