Westerbeke Issues

dwna1a

dwna1a

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Apr 23, 2012
5,980
James River
Boat Info
88 Weekender 300 "Seahorse"
Engines
Twins 350
Everyone of us with a Westerbeke has had a issue from time to time. Many times it's pretty simple once the problem is figured out. Many times it takes weeks just to figure it out. My first was fixed just by adding 2oz of oil, after my dealer spent a good bit of time and bucks looking and replacing many parts.

My latest and long time issue was its hard to start. It always has been for me.
It would start and run great but it was a PITA. So after a long bourbon and some discussion we (my slip neighbor) thought to put a Harley Davidson coil on the old girl. So now it fires on compression and exhaust. Damn if it didn't work like a charm...it fires right up now.

If any of us are having this same issue it might be worth a try.
 
Did it used to crank for a long time before starting and now it starts right away?
 
My experience is the linkage from the electric choke solenoid binds, or the $125.00 solenoid doesn't pull the butterfly closed, which results in a hard long start. The genset is in a very awkward spot to just reach in and tug the linkage a couple of times. So, I tied a small line to the linkage, ran it to the port aft coaming locker, and up to a little handle. If I haven't started the genny for a while, I just tug the line a couple of times, and then go start it. Fires right up.
I'd like to hear more about the Harley mod, though.
 
It was very hard to start, then I would get frustrated and walk away for about 10min. Walk back to it and it would start on the second try. I had to repair my manifold and replace the elbow. While the elbow was off it would fire right up. We thought it was the water pressure in the elbow.

We just came up with the idea to use the other coil. She fires right up now. First time first try.
 
Other than annual oil changes and last year replace the raw water pump I have not had to do any maintenance to my 34 year old 8.0kw gas WB. It now takes cranking for 20-30 seconds before it starts. Once it starts it runs great. Based on comments made hear in this thread I will be checking the choke linkages and investigate the coil and the rest of the ignition system. A lot going on right now so it may take awhile.
 
FullSizeRender.jpg
Mine was serviced per the book and was very reliable. Did need to replace capacitors, however, it never really let us down.
 
My 4.5 Westerbroke is reading 7 volts at the unit and at the panel in the cabin (58 hrs, in a fresh-water 1998 310 V-Drive Sun Dancer w/455 hrs).

According to the 'beke troubleshooting guide I probably have a shorted/un-energized stator, which is no longer available new. Has anyone had an older 4.5 with low hrs loose a stator? Seems unusual....Then again, I'm the third owner, who mops up after the second owner ruins what the original owner tried to maintain!
 
majmacv said:
My 4.5 Westerbroke is reading 7 volts at the unit and at the panel in the cabin (58 hrs, in a fresh-water 1998 310 V-Drive Sun Dancer w/455 hrs).

According to the 'beke troubleshooting guide I probably have a shorted/un-energized stator, which is no longer available new. Has anyone had an older 4.5 with low hrs loose a stator? Seems unusual....Then again, I'm the third owner, who mops up after the second owner ruins what the original owner tried to maintain!
Click to expand...

Talk to browardarmature.com.
 
could also be a capacitor that failed. Easy but not cheap fix. Agree with the above recommendation. Get an expert.
Garwood 003.jpg
 
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