Yanmar 2Gm20f Diesel Engine: Pre-Season Maintenance Guide

what constitutes a pre-season yanmar 2gm20f diesel engine

The Yanmar 2GM20F is a popular marine diesel engine used in a wide range of sailboats and motorboats. It is a compact yet powerful engine that offers reliable performance and fuel efficiency. The 2GM20 series uses either a direct seawater cooling system or an indirect freshwater cooling system. The engine is equipped with a starting motor and a seawater pump to avoid overheating. The Yanmar 2GM20F has a dry weight of 114 kg and delivers a maximum output of 13.4 kW at 3600 rpm. This article will provide an overview of what constitutes a pre-season Yanmar 2GM20F diesel engine, including its specifications, maintenance, and common issues.

Characteristics Values
Manufacturer Yanmar Co. Ltd.
Engine Type Vertical, water-cooled, 4-stroke diesel engine
Engine Weight 106-129 kg
Cylinder Diameter 75 mm
Cylinder Stroke 72 mm
Displacement 0.635 litres
Continuous Rating Output 11.8 kW at 3400 rpm
Maximum Output 13.4 kW at 3600 rpm
Maximum Torque 32.5 Nm at 2400 rpm
Cooling System Direct seawater or indirect freshwater

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Maintenance and repair

Maintenance:

  • Consult the engine's maintenance manual: Before undertaking any maintenance work, it's essential to refer to the official maintenance manual provided by Yanmar. This manual will contain detailed instructions and specifications tailored to the Yanmar 2GM20F engine.
  • Record engine details: Keep a printout of all important details about your engine, including any modifications, repairs, or upgrades performed. This ensures you have a comprehensive record for future reference.
  • Regularly check and replace filters: Diesel engines, including the Yanmar 2GM20F, require regular inspection and replacement of filters, such as the primary fuel filter and the air filter. This helps ensure optimal fuel delivery and engine performance.
  • Monitor the cooling system: The Yanmar 2GM20F engine uses either a direct seawater cooling system or an indirect freshwater cooling system. It is important to monitor the seawater pump for any wear and tear, especially when operated in tropical waters where jellyfish can be a problem. Additionally, descale the raw water coolant channels if you have a raw water-cooled engine.
  • Battery maintenance: Ensure the battery is in good condition and provides the standard voltage of 12.5V. A weak battery can make it difficult to start the engine.
  • Check the starter motor drive belt: Regularly inspect the starter motor drive belt to ensure it is in good condition and functioning properly.

Repair:

  • Starting issues: If the engine fails to start, check for low lubrication levels and ensure the battery voltage is sufficient. Bleeding the low-pressure side might also be necessary.
  • Exhaust issues: In extreme cases, the rubber exhaust hose can catch fire, the plastic silencer can melt, or the head gasket can fail. To mitigate this, install a large basket-type water strainer and ensure the presence of overheat alarms, which are standard on most Yanmar engines.
  • Water in combustion space: Water entering the combustion space can cause bent connecting rods, reducing the engine's compression ratio. To check for this, measure the 'top clearance' between the piston at TDC (top dead centre) and the cylinder head. If bent rods are detected, follow the procedure to rectify the issue.
  • Fuel contamination: The inline fuel filter separates water from diesel, as water can lead to internal rusting and lubrication problems. Ensure this filter is easily accessible and regularly maintained to prevent fuel-related issues.

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Specifications

The Yanmar 2GM20F is a vertical, water-cooled, four-stroke diesel engine. It is a compact yet powerful marine engine that offers reliable performance and fuel efficiency. The engine is equipped with a starting motor and an alternator. The continuous rating output at the crankshaft is 11.8 kW, at 3400 revolutions per minute (RPM). The maximum output at the crankshaft is 13.4 kW, at 3600 RPM, which equates to roughly 16-18.2 horsepower. The maximum torque is 32.5 Nm (24 lb-ft) at 2,400 RPM.

The engine uses either a direct seawater cooling system or an indirect freshwater cooling system. Seawater is pumped into the engine through a seawater pump. In the direct seawater cooling system, seawater is used to cool the internals of the engine directly. In the indirect freshwater cooling system, there is an additional heat exchanger, where heat transfer occurs between seawater and internal freshwater. The engine's dry weight is between 106 kg (234 lbs) and 129 kg (278 lbs), depending on the transmission and cooling system.

The Yanmar 2GM20 series has two main variants: the 2GM20, manufactured in Japan, and the 2GM20-YEU, partly assembled in Europe. The YEU variant can be identified by an "E" at the beginning of the serial number, although the label still states "Made in Japan". The engine is built around two cylinders (hence the "2" in 2GM20) of 75 mm in diameter and 72 mm in stroke, adding up to 0.635 litres in displacement. Each cylinder is roughly the size and volume of a 300 ml soft drink can.

The Yanmar 2GM20F is known for its robust construction and user-friendly design. It is important to regularly maintain and repair the engine to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Some common maintenance tasks include checking the starter motor drive belt, inspecting the air and fuel filters, and descaling the raw water coolant channels and heat exchanger.

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Common issues

The Yanmar 2GM20 is a series of inboard marine diesel engines used in a wide range of sailboats and motorboats. The 2GM20 is out of production and has been superseded by the newer Yanmar 3YM20 series.

Starting problems: Some users have experienced issues with starting the engine, with some reporting that it becomes harder and harder to start over time, even after replacing the battery. This could be due to a variety of factors, including low voltage, fuel issues, or a lack of sufficient throttle. It is recommended to check the wiring and voltage drop at the starter motor and ensure that the throttle is at the appropriate level for the weather conditions.

Smoke from the exhaust: Smoke coming out of the exhaust, especially during starting, is a common issue. This could be due to unburned diesel being injected into the cylinder or, in colder temperatures, from the use of heater plugs. It is recommended to check the injectors and perform a compression check to identify the cause of the smoke.

Water in the combustion space: Water can enter the combustion space due to a failing exhaust elbow, which can bend the connecting rods and reduce the compression ratio of the engine. It is important to regularly inspect and maintain the exhaust elbow to prevent this issue.

Cooling system issues: The Yanmar 2GM20F engine uses an indirect freshwater cooling system. The seawater pump impeller can suffer from wear and tear, especially when run dry, leading to a loss in the flow of cooling seawater and potential engine overheating. Additionally, jellyfish tentacles can be sucked into water intakes in tropical waters, causing blockages.

Fuel filter issues: It is important to regularly inspect and replace the primary and secondary fuel filters to ensure that water is separated from the diesel fuel. Water in the diesel fuel can lead to rusting of internal engine components and lubrication problems.

When troubleshooting and performing maintenance on the Yanmar 2GM20F diesel engine, it is important to consult the engine's maintenance manual and seek guidance from qualified marine mechanics.

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Cooling system

The Yanmar 2GM20 series uses either a direct seawater cooling system or an indirect freshwater cooling system. The presence of the letter F as a suffix in the model name (e.g. 2GM20F) indicates that it is a freshwater-cooled engine.

In engines equipped with a direct seawater cooling system, seawater is pumped into the engine through a seawater pump (of the impeller type) to cool the internals of the engine directly.

On the other hand, engines equipped with a freshwater cooling system have an additional heat exchanger. Heat transfer occurs between the seawater and internal freshwater in the heat exchanger. This means that only the anti-freeze solution, which contains rust inhibitors, circulates through the engine, and not seawater. This is advantageous as it prevents saltwater from entering the engine.

The impeller of the seawater pump can suffer from wear and tear, especially when run dry for some time. In such cases, it must be replaced to avoid a loss in the flow of cooling seawater, which could lead to engine overheating.

When it comes to the coolant used in the freshwater cooling system, Yanmar recommends using their own 'brand' of antifreeze. This is pre-mixed at a 50-50 ratio and is orange in colour. It is important to note that mixing different types of coolants can cause issues. For example, mixing Dexcool (recommended for some Yanmar engines) with older, conventional coolants can result in a granular, mucky brown mixture that can clog the radiator cap.

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Starting issues

The Yanmar 2GM20F is a series of inboard marine diesel engines used in a wide range of sailboats and motorboats. The engine is equipped with a starting motor (DC).

Some users have reported issues with starting the Yanmar 2GM20F engine, especially when left unused for a day or two. One user suggested that the problem might be due to an insufficient battery voltage of 2.5V. Another user, Ben, reported that the engine became harder to start even after replacing the battery.

To troubleshoot this issue, Ben was advised to check if the engine is turning over but not starting, or if it is not turning over at all. If the engine is turning over, it is important to determine whether it is turning over fast or slow.

Another user suggested that the problem could be due to a bad cable or connection, causing low voltage. They recommended removing and sanding all battery cables and connections, then retesting the voltage. If the voltage remained low, they suggested replacing all the battery cables as they may be rotten inside due to water damage.

Additionally, some users have reported that the engine requires a lot of battery power to spin over and that it is slow to start. It was recommended that a voltmeter be connected to the + terminal of the starter motor to check the voltage.

Other potential solutions to the starting issues include:

  • Replacing the main filter
  • Changing the oil and oil filter
  • Replacing copper washers on the banjos along the diesel line to the pump
  • Bleeding the engine
  • Replacing the raw water impeller
  • Replacing the starter motor
  • Adjusting the throttle or governor setting

Frequently asked questions

The Yanmar 2GM20F is a reliable and efficient marine diesel engine that has gained popularity among boat owners and enthusiasts. It is a compact yet powerful marine diesel engine that offers reliable performance and fuel efficiency.

The Yanmar 2GM20F is a vertical, water-cooled, 4-stroke diesel engine with a maximum output of 18.2 hp (13.4 kW) @ 3,600 rpm and a maximum torque of 32.5 Nm (24 lb-ft) @ 2,400 rpm. The engine weighs around 114 kg and delivers approximately 16 horsepower.

The Yanmar 2GM20 engine was available in two main variants: the 2GM20, which was manufactured in Japan, and the 2GM20-YEU, which was partly assembled in Europe, specifically in the Netherlands from the mid-80s. The YEU variant can be identified by an "E" at the beginning of the serial number, although the label still indicates "Made in Japan".

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