VOLVOMIIB

[bobdom]

CAN SOMEONE TELL ME THE PROCEDURE FOR USING THE COLD STARTER ON MY 1972 VOLVO MIIB TWIN CYLINDER ENGINE. UPTO NOW I HAVE NOT HAD TO USE THIS BUT WITH WINTER UPON US IT MAY BE REQUIRED, I KNOW IT IS A BRASS PLUNGER AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE BUT NOT HOW YOU OPERATE IT.

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

Put the throttle about one third open, then press the brass button down. It should stay down. Then start the engine and the brass button will automatically come up as you throttle back. Dont throttle back too quickly or the engine will stop before it has warmed up. If the button will not stay down, take the plate off at the rear of the engine and make sure that the pivot is not seized.

 

[bedouin]

I need to use a bit more than 1/3rd throttle, more like 1/2 (otherwise the button won't stay down.

If there is a problem with it staying down then jsut keep your thumb on it while turning the engine over - you should be able to release it as soon as it fires anyway

 

[PaulAG]

(A) You are lucky not to have to use the starter excess fuel button even in summer. This is the recommended starting sequence in the handbooks and I nearly always have to use it, even when engine is warm. (B) If your engine and control panel is like mine (on Centaur - modified) reaching the excess fuel button and the starter key at the same time is almost impossible. Volvo used to sell a kit that brought the control out on a wire - a bit like the old-fashioned choke on car engines - I have one and it works just fine without having to lift the cockpit engine cover. Don't think you could get one now, except from an old Volvo engine someone is discarding. You could maybe modify a car choke kit tho'. (C) If engine difficult to start, try lifting compression levers and spinning engine either by hand or on starter motor first to achieve a decent seal of pistons in cylinders and fuel into engine - saves a long run on the starter motor anyway I find, especially if batteries a bit 'soft'.
Hope this helps.

PaulAG

 

[bedouin]

It's only just occurred to me how convenient my installation is. My control panel is mounted directly over the engine, so cold start and decompressors can be handled very easily (I tend to use both for any cold start). Admittedly it's a bit of a pain having to jump up and down the companionway to set the throttle, but it's certainly easier than the alternative!

 

[Jcorstorphine]

I fiited a vertical wooden dowel and a push puton on the cockpit floor of my Westerly. The wooden dowel pressed down on the cold start button when pressed down through the push button. Worked well but Volvo was crap, should have dumped it and bought a small Perkins rather than expand Volvo's profit by paying extorionate prices for spares.
john