Westerbeke 7.6 btd preheat question


W

Wilks

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Does your generator make a clicking sound when the preheat switch is pushed? Sounds like a chattering relay to me.
Mine is hard to start when it gets below 50 degrees. Thinking something with glow plugs.


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I have a 5.0 and it makes the same clicking sound when I push the preheat button. I give it about 30 seconds before I try to start the generator. My generator seems to take a little while to start unless it's been getting lots of use.
 
Wilks, I have the same generator and she is definitely cold blooded. I have the same clicking noise which is normal during preheat. I replaced both relays in the generator this spring thinking my pre-heat relay was bad. There is one for starting and the other for preheat that activates the fuel lift pump and the glow plugs. It didn't make any difference and was a PITA to swap out. I then replaced the glow plugs and that resolved the issue.

However, even with the new glow plugs the generator takes about 25-30 seconds of cranking to get fired up in 50 degree weather and that is after depressing the preheat switch for 15 seconds. Before changing out the glow plugs, it would take several attempts to start with longer cranking times. Those old glow plugs of mine were the originals and were very dirty.

Glow Plugs.jpg
 
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Mine takes several tries when cold. Have to wait so I don?t burn up starter. I did some more research and found out the clicking is the fuel pump.
I see one of your plugs is a NGK. What NGK part number fits these?
I am think about taking fuel injectors out and have them disassembled and clean. That could be part of the issue as well.


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That "clicking" sound is the fuel "lift pump" doing it's thing. That is normal, and good to hear. According to the Westerbeke Operators Manual you should not crank the engine for more than 30 sec. If it doesn't start, you should stop cranking and possibly take precautions before trying again. This is because while it is cranking, the impeller is drawing raw water into the engine and through the exhaust. It will collect in the riser/heat exchanger, and if it fills the exhaust, the water will flow back into cylinders and create havoc. The manual publishes a schedule for how long to preheat, and includes notes for how to extend the preheating if needed, but not for more than 30 sec during start. Finally, a difficult start in cold weather can be due to problems with either the glow plugs or the starter.
Capture_preheat_note.jpg Capture_preheatSchedule.jpg
 
Wilks, did you ever replace your glow plugs and, if so, did it resolve some of your hard starting? As mentioned, I replaced my glow plugs last season and the hard starting improved significantly. But the hard starting -- albeit not as bad as before -- is starting to reemerge. I pulled one of the glow plugs over the weekend to inspect and it looked good. However, the glow plug hole was filled with carbon deposits. Did you clean your holes out? If so, did you buy a reamer? Any advice would be appreciated.
 
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