J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Yanmar intake heat or glow-plug

Has anyone installed a glow plug or other form of intake heater on their J/30 to help with cold weather starting? We sail all winter here and the starting can be a little tough. (Full throttle, lots of cranking, tons of black smoke).

My slip neighbour installed an aftermarket glow plug in his Volvo's intake and he said it made a world of difference in starting.

I suppose running a hair dryer or heat gun into the intake prior to starting will do the same thing, but isn't available when off the dock away from AC.

Anyone have any nifty tricks or aftermarket products?

Call Gallery Marine in Seattle(206-547-2477). I bought a intake heater kit from Galmikov Machine in Port Townsend several years ago and it made my Qm-15 start like a gas engine. I can't find their number. This was an answer when you were talking about injectors.

Thanks. I must have missed that; it was a while ago.

Interesting. Scott, keep us informed on how it goes.

Just adding it to the ever extending list. I think I am finally going to invest in a boom kicker this winter. I plan to do the VARC series next year and my big roachy main does not deal with your light airs well with no boom support to open the leach.

I am going to try a heat gun in the intake first and see how much difference that makes.

Shot of ether won't cure it? Cheaper than intake air heater. We finally wore out bushings on our starter cracking in cold weather, and rather than buy the $350 Yanmar replacement (went through two other aftermarket ones that cracked the Al housing), we got the starter re-bushed for $35 and a can of ether. A can a year does it for us and we use the boat pretty much once a week all year. Quick shot, half throttle and in three seconds it is running. It is a 30 y/o diesel.

WD-40 is a lot easier on the engine.

From an old mechanic.

Not a big fan of ether.

The heat gun trick worked spectacularly. But it is funny, it is like the engine has become an addict because she puts up a fuss now even starting in the warmer weather without it

Getting the injectors serviced is on the list. That should help.