Volvo Penta 2002 18hp slow starting

[andyorr]

I know this is an age old problem but I ca't remeber old answers... My 2002 starts from warm fine. From cold it seems to take an age and turns over, I think, too slowly. Batteries are fully charged. I assumed a fully charged batt would turn it over much quicker and therefore start it more easily. Am I right? If so why the slow turnover? If not then what?
Many thanks.

 

[MoodySabre]

It may be that you have poor connections between the battery and the starter. These all need to be spotless in order to keep the amps at the starter high. You could perform a Voltage drop test to check on this. Loss on volts = loss of amps = slow starter turnover.

I had trouble with corrosion on the lead from the solenoid to the the starter which gradually got to the point where it burnt away - a simple fix by an auto starter refurbisher.

As the engine gets older the throttle lever needs to be almost fully down as part of the cold-start routine. Throttle down, out and in with the stop lever, turn the key. Repeat as necessary.

 

[Pete7]

Andy, assuming you are using the cold start method, then they are like that. Our 2003 (just another cylinder) takes two 10 second blasts on the starter at this time of year, 3 x 15 during the depths of winter. It always goes eventually and is fine for the rest of the day so we just live with it as it works well otherwise.

Pete

 

[Plevier]

My recently acquired boat has a 25 year old 2002. The seller (who had owned it for some years) had terrible trouble starting it, to the point where I seriously budgeted to replace it and haggled accordingly. It took a long long time turning over, slowly building up little white puffs of smoke then coughing and spluttering before finally catching.
As a last resort before collecting the boat I read the manual. Full throttle set first, then pull the stop knob out FULLY, firmly, and release then turn key. Vroom! in about 2 seconds and it has done it unfailingly since, even in icy weather. (Luckily the seller wasn't there.)
Could it be that your starting procedure has relaxed a bit with familiarity, or maybe the cable stretched or slipped? I have not managed to find adjustment procedures for the cold start mechanism. Maybe yours is not quite tripping.

 

[MoodySabre]

That makes me feel better Pete - my 2003 starts in less than 10 secs this time of year. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Oh to have glowplugs in the winter.

 

[Pete7]

Roger, we do carry a can of easy start in the gas locker just incase though. We have just had the head off due to a minor water leak at the back but otherwise its a fine little engine so I am hoping it will run for a few years yet.

Pete

 

[sailorman]

Get that tin out of the gas locker & give it the "Distance Test" /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif no engine deserves easy start /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[Pete7]

Don't worry it's for emergencies only, just in case. I am well aware of its long term effects.

Pete

 

[sailorman]

Distance Test /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[JohnTH]

If you do run out of easy start and you are in trouble starting your engine gas is another option to try. It works on the O/B motor too. Just to get the thing started mind !

 

[sailorman]

a drop or 2 of engine oil injected into the inlet manifold will do the job without blowing-up the engine or bending the Con-Rod /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[michael_w]

Don't use Easy Start; it's heroin for engines! Once they get used to it they'll never start without it. Poor compression is better dealt with by a dash of oil via the induction manifold.

 

[PLEIAS]

Hi there. Since i had the same trouble starting mine and no cold start method seemed to help much i realised it was more the starter battery i used than the engine.So -trial and error- i bought a 110A one with lots of strting Amps and it now starts in 5 sec at the most even after not being used the whole winter.Another idea is to fit a small fuel hand pump (not shure what it's called but it's the one they use on outboards) and just push some diesel in before you start it .Hope i've helped have a nice summer.

 

[LeonF]

Can someone please explain what pulling out the stop lever and releasing it does to make starting easier? Just curious.

 

[sailorman]

it might re-set a cold start system.
the old MD series used to have a brass button that had to be depressed on the Governor

 

[Bilgediver]

and just push some diesel in before you start it .Hope i've helped have a nice summer.
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This all suggests you have an air leak in your fuel line....Possibly the primary filter /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[PLEIAS]

No it just means that diesel like all fuels can evaporate with time especially in warmer temperatures.Actually the white smoke that you get sometimes at start is just unburnt fuel that while not enough to start the engine must get out somehow.Hell i'm not a mechanic but what i've done helps especially after changing fuel filters e.t.c whereas you have to break your thump with the stupid pump that Volvo has.

 

[paulwitney]

As Willow3 says, full throttle and pull the stop cable (cold start boost) before turning key and should be no problem. One suggestion though, use full thottle in reverse direction (in Neutral of course) it gives more oomph as the lever doesn't get restricted by the gear engage button! My 2003 is 1984 vintage and even on a "cool morning" for us at about 10C it was no problem.. is winter in Sydney!

 

[Mavis]

if you go to the Mike Lucas website forum http://www.mikelucasyachting.co.uk/frameset.htm
there is a massive post regarding this problem as these engine are fitted into the Sadlers. There is a way to double check that the cold start mechinism is working and it was covered recently in PBO. I have found on my engine that if you throw the decompession lever and let the engine turn over for a few seconds first that this allows the oil to circulate, etc. and seems to help