Volvo 2002 decompression lever

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Forest Girl

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My 2002 turns over too slowly and so starting is a problem. Batteries are A1, I've had connections tested by marine engineers to check for loss of voltage etc - no luck. Injectors are fine. So I thought I'd try decompressing to speed up engine turnover to aid starting. Am I right that ther is only 1 lever on the front of the engine at the front side of the rocker box cover? On the Volvo site this is called an Intermediate lever. Is this it?
Any help appreciated.
 
A friend has that engine and his is slow to start - turns over lots before it fires up. This is possibly caused by lack of compression. He uses a leisure battery for starting.

I have 2003 version and a proper starter battery (higher cranking amps) and it starts easily, particularly this time of year.

A decent battery should do the job. If the connections are OK then is the starter motor OK? Might be worth whipping it out and taking it to a place the does car starter motor recons and asking them to test it.
 
Thanks MoodySabre. Yes, I had compression checked - all ok. It starts really easily when warm.
I think I'll just have to put up with it.
 
I'd echo MoodySabre's suggestion of getting the starter motor checked. If the engine's cranking too slowly, you're giving everything a hammering. New brushes (by your friendly local autoelectrician) won't break the bank and could make that "will it? won't it? will the battery flake out first?" a thing of the past.

(Note to self - get my starter checked out this winter, 'cos I have the same thing. It always starts eventually, but on a cold day, it's a bit painful, not to mention embarrassing when the scenery behind me disappears in a cloud of smoke when it does finally go.)
 
Forest Girl said:
My 2002 turns over too slowly and so starting is a problem. Batteries are A1, I've had connections tested by marine engineers to check for loss of voltage etc - no luck. Injectors are fine. So I thought I'd try decompressing to speed up engine turnover to aid starting. Am I right that ther is only 1 lever on the front of the engine at the front side of the rocker box cover? On the Volvo site this is called an Intermediate lever. Is this it?
Any help appreciated.
Click to expand...
Yes it is the lever they call the "intermediate lever"

using it may a useful "get you out of trouble" solution but having to always use it is not something you should "just have to put up with"

You should investigate and cure the reason for the slow cranking.

Unsuitable, ailing or uncharged battery
poor connections ... not forgetting the negative/earth connections
bad crimps on the main cable terminations
defective battery isolator switch
defective solenoid
defective starter motor

are all items to investigate.

Even bad
 
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