Pearson Boats - Common Systems > Engine and Drive Train

Cold Start Button on Volvo MD11-C

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My Cyn:
Hi Folks,

After a lot of on-line searching, and some experimentation this past weekend, here is what I learned about the cold-start button on the Volvo Penta MD11C.

The use of the cold-start button is discussed in step 5 on page 5, as well as on page 9 of the instruction book, Publication 3167. The diagram on page 31 shows the button as item 5.
A better view of the button is in the workshop manual for the MD11C, D, MD17C, and D in the top-most photograph on page 33. The spring loaded cold-start button is shown adjacent to item #3 in the photograph.

The key to having the cold start button stay down (engaged) is the position of the throttle.

To engage the cold-start button, while at the helm, advance the throttle to approximately 10% or 20% of full. Go below and press the button down. The button should now stay in the down position. If the button doesn’t stay down, try a little more throttle.

Back at the helm, crank the engine, and you should find, as I did on this cold day, that the engine starts much more quickly. Move the throttle back down to idle, and the button will pop back out.

From what I read, engaging the cold start button allows the control rod inside the fuel injection pump to travel farther, allowing more fuel to be delivered, which facilitates starting. If anyone can elaborate on the internal workings of the fuel injection pump as it relates to the cold-start button, I would appreciate it.

All the best!

Bill

rbrtfeld:
Good advice here. My MD 11 normally needs the throttle to be all the way full open to engage the Cold Start button. Huge difference when engaged, the motor turns right over when cold. I painted the top of my Cold Start button with Orange Fluorescent paint so you can see it clearly if you have to send someone down to do it manually. Good idea if you need to start the engine in a hurry.

AnaMeg:
My cold start button will stay engaged only if the throttle/control is at idle. But rbrtfeld, yours needs to be full open to engage. And Bill, you say it should be at 10-20% level. That makes me wonder if my aging brain has reversed my memory. It's been a few years since I sorted this out on my own engine; perhaps I have it all wrong. Nevertheless, when starting, I depress the cold start button with the throttle at low idle and it stays down. It starts a little bit quicker this way but still requires 10 seconds or more of cranking. In May when the shrinkwrap comes off I'll check it out again.

Does anyone know of a source for the remote cold start button control? It's quite a pain to search and reach in the dark every first start of the engine. Maybe rbrtfeld's idea of an orange button will help.

Geoff

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