volvo 2002 1985 Poor starter

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dalton

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my VP 2002 just does not want to start in cold weather. Is this likely to be a compression problem? How easy is it to do a compression test on these engines. It has been takinglonger to start over the last summer, but once running is great, minimal smoke, no funny noises or rattles from it.
 
Not a silly question, but I suppose you are using the cold start procedure? Set throttle to nearly flat out, pull out engine stop, push in engine stop, press starter button.

If you feel you need to have the compression checked, any decent diesel engineer can do this for you.
 
Also scroll down because the subject was discussed yesterday in some detail. Usually these engines don't come with cold-start facilities like the glow-plugs you have on a car so are always likely to be difficult in winter.

Vic
 
yes I do use the cold start procedure whenever i try to start it. How practical is it to check compression yourself.
 
Hi, first of all, are you using the cold start procedure, throttle fully open, pull out the stop handle and then push it closed ( this increases the fuel supply for starting ) and crank the engine.

My 2003 was a pig to start but cylinder head off, regrind the valves and reseat the injectors, refit and torque down, adjust the tappets and she starts within 2 seconds now.
 
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My 2003 was a pig to start but cylinder head off, regrind the valves and reseat the injectors, refit and torque down, adjust the tappets and she starts within 2 seconds now.

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Same with my 2002 - the valve seats are comparatively soft and they get pitted over time, especially the cylinder closest to the exhaust bend. A top-end rebuild gives the engine a new lease of life.
 
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How practical is it to check compression yourself.

[/ QUOTE ]It isn't - you need some specialist equipment. Only takes an hour or so, so might be worth paying an engineer to check it. If it's poor, then some level of overhaul could be the answer.
 
A compression test will only confirm what you already suspect that the compression is down. On these engines the exhaust valve corrodes and leads to low compression. You should remove the head and have the valves/seats regound. At the same time check for wear in the cylinders by measuring the gap in a new ring in the bore.
 
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A compression test will only confirm what you already suspect that the compression is down.

[/ QUOTE ]It might, but then again it might not. I had the compression tested on my 2003T following reluctance to start. The compression was fine. The real problem turned out to be a tiny air leak in fuel pipework.
 
If you do have the valve seats reground, check the clearance for the decompressor levers afterwards. I had to grind a few thou off mine or the valves (and I) would have been permanently depressed.

It's probably worth having the injectors checked as well, but read the manual before pulling them. Download (5Mb) from here A local diesel specialist would be able to do them, it doesn't have to be a marine specialist. Panda, in Fareham, did a great job of sorting me out after Lucas buggered up the reconditioning of mine.
 
How much did Panda charge to sort your injectors, if you don't mind me asking?
It seems a good place to start with my smokey yanmar!
Cheers,
Chris
 
Before ripping the engine apart,what is your starter battery like?if its on its way out and cant turn the engine over fast enough it will never start,beg,borrow a good battery and try it.Volvo parts are reletivly expensive i think a head gasket is circa £35. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
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How much did Panda charge to sort your injectors, if you don't mind me asking?
It seems a good place to start with my smokey yanmar!
Cheers,
Chris

[/ QUOTE ]Sorry, I can't remember, but it wasn't a lot. Maybe an hour or so's labour to check the injectors, discover that my injector pumps (The 2000 series has 1 per cylinder) had been wrongly assembled and put them right.

If I have injection problems again, I know where I'll go. I also know where I won't go under any circumstances.
 
Probably a bit late for this forum but my 2002 is 84 vintage and is a bit slow to start in cold weather but what I call cold and you call cold may be a bit different! We use the boat all year including winter. When down around 10 to 15C with cold start procedure as above it often takes 6-10 sec to fire as compared with 3-4 sec now in summer. The one thing that really helps in cold weather is using both batteries when cranking rather than just the start battery. Extra oomph seems to help!
 
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