Starting Handles – Are they worth it ?

[alec]

I have noticed on my Volvo 2001 diesel, a starting handle aperture.

In the never-ending quest for self sufficiency at sea , I am wondering if it is worth getting a handle. They were very useful years ago on cars that I owned.

It is unlikely that battery power would fail, but I suppose the starter motor could produce a problem.
However, based on the cold starting abilities of this engine I would anticipate needing forearms like Popeye to make any impression .

Does anyone have experience of hand cranking diesel engines ?


Regards,


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[JackFrobisher]

I've wondered that myself (which is no help to you ...) as I have a 2003, which I doubt I could start manually. So much so that I bought a small generator so that I could recharge my batteries to maintain starting capability. I hadn't contemplated that the starter motor might fail. Perhaps I should carry a spare ...

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[john_morris_uk]

In theory you move decompression levers to decompress, crank enthusiastically, smartly move decompression lever to allow compression and away it goes.

I have done it on a boat - but it b hard work - and I'm a big and (quite fit) man.

I have heard of people using the crank to 'assist the starter' when the battery hasn't quite got enough to start the engine of its own accord.

Its usually necessary to have an assistant to operate the decompression lever and even then its often necessary to tie a length of string onto it to allow access to crank and lever simultaneously.

Once when I had just had a brand new Yanmar 1GM10 arrive on the garage floor in its packing case, I removed the packing and in admiration and awe inserted the starting handle, spun the engine slowly to listen to its brand new bits turning over and it started! You should have seen how fast I hit the decompression lever as I knew the engine had been delivered drained of oil. (It had started on the left over contents of the injection pump from its trial run in the factory).

I heard about a Frenchman on a RTW race in the Southern Ocean starting his engine when everything failed by putting a starter cord arrangement round the flywheel from a line on the boom. He let fly the main sheet and the power of the boom sqaring away pulled the cord and started the engine.

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[Trevethan]

Better to buy a clockwork starter -- pricey though. I was told 800 squids for one to turn a heavy Lister.

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[Pelican]

I have a starting handle for my 33 year old MD2B which I was grateful to have when I had a Dynastart fitted (I now have an alternator and starter motor) which used to give up the ghost on a regular basis. The only problem was one needed a very strong person to swing the thing and another person to play the decompression handles....quite a heart attack job!
Pelican

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[Georgio]

started my old morris minor loads of times with a starting handle and boat diesels also but I think the largest I have managed is a 2gm20. any larger than that and you need to be superman!

Somtimes handy to hand crank the engine over in gear if the engine dies and you think there is somthing round the prop. saves potential damage to starter.

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[broadcaster]

Hi,

If you miss time it, you could end up with a broken arm especially if there are any solid objects nearby.

Andy

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[Davy_S]

I think starting handles are a must have, all manufactures should fit them. To start my volvo I have a bent coathanger round the decompression lever, turn the engine so it is on the compression stroke, decompress lever on, one full turn release lever and it starts instantly, very reasuring!

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[scottie]

to crank the engine over yes

to start a 2001 not practical

check if your camshaft has a hole in it for a pin that the handle drives through


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[PeteMcK]

And a spare generator in case...etc., etc.
'fraid my Thornycroft's only ever going to answer to two or three horses pulling on the flywheel ring-gear. I used to give myself anxious moments thinking about it but at the end of the day, it's a sailing boat and having no manual start to fall back on just encourages the subconscious "What's the worst that could happen here?" for each and every situation and, more important, this encourages you to have some idea of an escape route.

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[VicMallows]

If my BUKH has been running within the last 4-5 hours, I can restart it easily on the handle. From cold (cold as in 'today') forget it. Very reasuring in case batteries or starter give up at anchor in some secluded place. For just that reason, in winter I tend to start the engine every 4 hours or so at anchor to keep it warm. The top-up charge is useful anyway.

Vic

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[Benbow]

Possibly useful trick to bear in mind.

If your battery is nearly dead and won't turn the engine over, lift the decompression lever(s) and try again. The engine may well spin nicely without compression, then drop one lever and hope that cylinder fires, if it does drop the levers for the other cylinders one-by-one in turn.

Usually requires two people and beware of hair/loose clothing.


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[VicMallows]

Good Point worth re-stating. Somehow you just assume that everyone knows this (decompression lever/start/close decompression). Nearly always works if battery is low. That's what the forum is about.

Vic

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[roger]

Fepends on the engine and you

When I was younger - 20 years ago I could start an MD2B by hand. Now I cant even start an MD2 (lower horsepower) Age catches up quite fast. A handle shouldnt cost much and should in any case be useful for setting the valves.

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[ashanta]

I have a VP2002 and it doesn't have a decompression lever. I ahd one on a 1GM10 which I found very handy but now with the VP I have to ensure the battery/ies is/are in tip top form. I renewed my starter moter recently to improve starting performance. I can only use the handle to turn the engine over but not to start it.
Regards.

Peter

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[snowleopard]

i defy anyone to start my 3GM. can't get it over the 1st compression however fast i'm cranking it when i drop the 1st decompressor.

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[Spyro]

Don't know about other models but my starting handle on my yanmar YSB8 was very poorly designed. The part you actually hold- I could only get one hand on it and the diameter was very small, probably only about 2cm I have fitted an aluminium tube over it making it long enough to get two hands on it and now about 4cm diameter Its amazing the difference it makes! I can now start it most times without even using the decompression lever. the trick is to hit the decomression stroke at the 8 o'clock position as opposed to 2 o'clock so that you can put all your weight on it.
It would be interesting to know how many people have handles but have never actually checked that they can use it.My starter motor has failed and I was very glad to have the handle on board and know that it would work

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[neil_s]

I could start the Lister diesel in my previous boat from cold with the handle. A piece of string tied between the decompressors and my foot allowed me to do it by myself, too. Present boat has a Bukh DV20 which is not playing. I have tried Spyro's idea of extending the handle so that you can use both hands, but unless its warm, you don't stand a chance. I notice that the throw of the Bukh handle is less than the Lister's, so perhaps some weight lifting exercise is needed!

Neil

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[drawp]

I have an old Volvo MD11C (2 cylinder, 22 HP) in my boat. Even on the coldest day, I was able to hand crank it on my own but it was bloody hard work. BUT I have proved to myself that I can do it even under the worst conditions. Because of this I do not have a dedicated engine starting battery. Over the last 17 years I have had flat batteries about 10 times and have used the hand crank successfully each time. Personally I would not have an engine (under 30 hp) that I could not hand crank. If ever I struck lucky and had a boat big enough to warrant an engine bigger than 30 hp, I would probably revise my opinion. An interesting observation is that since I fitted an Advec "smart" regulator about 10 years ago, my batteries go flat much less frequently.

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