My Yanmar 3JH2E, 36 HP, 3 cylinder has bluish white exhaust

[Ron Anderson]

My Yanmar 1999 or 98 Diesel, model no. 3JH2E, 36 HP, 3 cylinder has bluish white exhaust. The hour meter reads 373 hours. (so it saids for a 20 year old Yanmar). Engine does look clean. No leaks and no major residue.

The engines starts up with no problems. And runs good. All though I’m a newbie with diesels and boats. I bought my 1999 Hunter 376 sailboat two years ago.

1) Understand maybe diesel fuel less than 45 cetane can be a source of bluish white exhaust.
2) I did accidental top my oil level above the full dip stick line about a 1/2 inch. Maybe that’s a source.
3) I added maybe more than 2 OZ. of Starbrite “Star Tron” Enzyme diesel treatment to my 30 gallon tank. Maybe that’s a source. ( I only filled the tank twice about 10 gallons each time in 2 years since owning the boat).

I don’t remember seeing bluish white exhaust before I did items 1,2,3 above. I only been out on the water 5 times in 2 years since owning the boat.

Now I believe it’s bluish white exhaust. I will check it again to make sure it’s not just white exhaust.

Is there any other reason why white or bluish white exhaust is caused?

Thanks all,
FriscoRon

Topic

[Tony Athens]

Yanmar 4JH2

Ron,

Welcome to our forums……………..Although we are really “Cummins guys”, when time permits and someone goes to the trouble to to register here, it’s somewhat my duty to help if possible…………………You particular Yanmar engine, the JH2E–It was a very fine piece of machinery when it left the factory over 17 years ago.. Maybe one of the best diesels in that class ever made………………………….But like any engine that operates in a salt water environment, it’s overall life expectancy will not be based on hours, it will be based on “Marine Age”……..Maybe do some research on that term..

Blue-ish smoke if all the rest is good– Usually has to do with diluted oil with fuel along with an over filled crankcase………

Curious—–How often to you go down to the vessel, start up your engine and not take the vessel out for a good run using just the engine, and then run it hard for a bit (like above 2500 RPM under load) ?………………………..In other words, are you just going down to the boat and starting the engine to “see if it runs”??

If that is what you are doing (that’s what I suspect) that is NOT GOOD!

Next——–If you want more, I want good pics of the engine as installed in the boat–All angles & all perspectives, clean & in focus–I especially want to “see” the exhaust–That’s the cost for me to help & stay involved……………………………………………….. Seems like a cheap price to pay to me!..

Tony

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