Cold Start Aid

Cold Start Aid

Perkins has fitted the engines delivered to the Moonraker with a Cold Start Aid. The white arrow on the picture of the engine below shows where to find it. However, the equipment is not brought in a functional state on every Moonraker. A drawing below shows what it takes to bring things in working order.

Below is shown section C from Perkins Workshop Manual telling how to operate the Cold Start Aid system, depending whether the boat is fitted with C.1. or C.2. Start Switch.

Starting the engine

Place gearbox control in neutral gear. Turn starter switch to position "R" (see Fig.C.l) and ensure that the engine stop control is in the run position (i.e., pushed fully home). Place engine speed control in maximum speed position.

If the engine or weather is warm, turn starter switch in a clockwise direction to the "HS" position. As soon as the engine starts release the switch to the "R" position. Be sure that the starter pinion and engine have stopped rotating before re-engaging the starter motor otherwise damage may result.

If weather is cold, ensure cold start aid reservoir contains fuel oil. Turn on tap between reservoir and cold start aid. Turn starter switch to the "H" position and hold it there for fifteen to twenty seconds. Then turn the starter switch to the "HS" position, thereby engaging the starter motor.

If the engine does not start after twenty seconds, return the switch to the "H" position for ten seconds and then re-engage the starter motor by switching to the "HS" position. As soon as the engine starts, release the switch to the "R" position and turn off the tap on the cold start reservoir.

Earlier Heat Start Switch

The cold start switch supplied with earlier engines is shown in Fig. C.2. With this switch, starting a warm engine is effected by turning the switch in a clockwise direction to the "S" position.

In cold weather, the switch should be turned to the "H" position for fifteen to twenty seconds and then to the "HS" position in order to engage the starter motor. As soon as the engine starts, the switch should be returned to the "O" position.

Things to Note

Ensure that the electrical connection to the cold starting aid is correctly made.

Where a tank is fitted to feed fuel oil to the cold start aid, always ensure that the tap is switched on before starting the engine and switched off after the engine starts. Always ensure that the reservoir feeding fuel to the cold starting aid is fully primed and is not leaking.

In the event of difficult starting, check that fuel is reaching the cold starting aid in the induction manifold by unscrewing the inlet fuel connection. If fuel is reaching it satisfactorily, then it may be that the cold starting aid itself is not working correctly. This can be checked by removing the air cleaner and watching the cold starting aid whilst the equipment is used. When the starting switch is turned to the "heat" position, the element should become red hot, and on engagement of the starter motor, it should burst into flame.