Volvo 2002 starting handle

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SABREMAN

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Looking at my engine somewhat closely and lovingly this last weekend, changing the oil and giving it a polish actually, I realise that the front side has one of those handy places to insert a handle to turn it over. Bit like my grandads old car. Short of trundling around to a boat jumble and probably not finding one anyway, has anybody any ideas on where I can source one? It is one of those items which may never get used but I would like one as a fall back item if the batteries (God forbid) give up. Also very useful when working on it turn the workings a tadge.
 
Hi!

I was looking for one, visited the Volvo dealers at Tollesbury and they said the engines aren't designed to be started by hand and they shouldn't be as it knackers them. The handle is strictly to turn the workings a tadge.

CH
 
Ever tried starting a diesel by hand?

My MD2B would start if warm - but the batteries are unlikely to be flat then, are they! Found it useful to open decompressors, enrich fuel supply & give it a good few turns with the handle before starting when going aboard after a long absence. Even a very low battery could start her then, especially if you spin her with the compressors open & just flip one shut. Never managed to do that and turn the handle firmly at the same time tho'

Or I suppose you could just replace the dodgy batteries!
 
A thread on starting the Volvo 2001 single cylinder using the handle came up a few years ago. People claimed they couldn't do it.

Weaklings! I thought. Tried it myself on my 2001 and the handle just stopped abruptly as soon as it compressed. Tried again with two people, one on the handle with two hands and lots of speed and one flicking the decompression lever over. Nearly pulled our shoulders out of their sockets but couldn't get past compression.

My advice is to forget it. I don't think it is possible. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
 
Many years ago as an apprentice used to start dumpers, gennies, crane, green goddess, all sorts of plant by hand as on many it was the only option. It is bloody hard work and there seemed to be a knack for each engine.

Did smash my wrist up one when a dumper kicked back as well.

Just remember not to wrap your thumb around the starting handle, keep it along side your fingers so any kick back damage is reduced.
 
My Bukh DV24 starts easily "on the handle" even from cold /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
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I too have managed to start a variety of engines including dumper truck diesels in the past. That's why I was so surprised the Volvo 2001 seemed impossible. I'm sure lack of space to use your whole body weight is one factor but that's not the only reason.

Very valid tip about not wrapping your thumb around the handle. It certainly saved me on a few occasions.
 
I had a 2002 in my last boat. During the 9 years I had her I often tried to handstart the engine but never once succeeded (luckily not in 'anger'). I ended up with bloodied knuckles, and eventually the attachment part on the handle wore out, so it wouldn't attach any more!
The engine in my present boat is it's original engine, a 38 year old Petter PH2, which is the identical engine that used to be fitted to most dumpers, but watercooled rather than aircooled. This engine is the easiest one I've ever started by hand, with a 100% success rate (it does have electric start too). The advantage of these engines (and other 'traditional' engines such as the Bukhs and earlier Volvos) is that they have large heavy flywheels, which, once spinning, are aided by their own momentum, resulting in the likelyhood of a successfull start.

Doug
 
It is virtually impossible to start a cold 2002. The main problem is the very light flywheel when compared to an older style of engine. A lack of inertia to get over TDC. You can just do it when warm. Carry a blowtorch to warm it up.

I've thought about using a compressed air drill as an alternative. I'd have thought it simple enough to rig up with a scuba tank.
 
Lifeboat engines ...

I can remember as Cadet - the monthly lifeboat engine run ... ugh !! Twin cylinder Listers ... Open decompressors ..... get engine turning on handle as fast as possible .... flip over 1 decomp lever to get cylinder firing and then once starts - flip over second ...

Some bright sparks .... sadistic so*s ..... used to get a new Cadet to turn handle and then flip BOTH levers back ... some bloodied knuckles and awful language could result from that trick ...
 
michael w is right. All the traditional hand-start diesels had enormous flywheels - the one on the 10HP Sabb weighed well over a hundredweight! The 2000 seies have tiny flywheels in comparison and it's a waste of time and effort to try hand-starting as so many of the correspondents above have found out.
 
I first would like to say that I'm not expert!!!! However I think the Scuba tank won't deliver you enough air volume. I had one attached to some serious air horns and it just didn't deliver. I was recomended to convert a Fire Extinguisher for the purpose, some of which have reload nossles you could attach to a compressor. I never actually got around to it before selling the boat, good idea though.
 
Suggest taking it in stages. Hand start a generator charge the battery and then start the engine. Will probably take less time and far less blood will be spilt.
 
[ QUOTE ]
michael w is right. All the traditional hand-start diesels had enormous flywheels - the one on the 10HP Sabb weighed well over a hundredweight! The 2000 seies have tiny flywheels in comparison and it's a waste of time and effort to try hand-starting as so many of the correspondents above have found out.

[/ QUOTE ]

That was what I was getting at.

You really have to spin the handle like hell on the smaller engines such as the Volvo 2001/2 series and Yanmars etc. I do seem to recall I did successfully start a Yanmar by hand once. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I know there are alternative starting methods available such as a spring loaded starter, but I'm not sure if these are intended as an alternative to a starter motor rather than an addition or backup.

Doug
 
I did try and start my old 2003 with the handle and could do it but there again there was so little compresison in it at the end that almost anything turned it over even with the compressors off!!!

My 2002 in the first yacht always started a treat on the handle
There again I used throw a hammer pretty far and SWIMBO reckoned if the engine failed she could leave me below instead of an engine. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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