VP2003 poor starting

[slingsby]

This engine has been laid up for 2 years and just recently recommissioned. It now is very slow to start. If you engage the decompression lever then give it a few of spins with the starter, then disengage the decompression lever it starts straight away.
I've changed all the fuel and filters likewise the oil and filter.
Any ideas on what it could be?

 

[scottie]

R T F M

if you check the instructions in the owners manual as more gracefully stated by the others replies I am sure that it will transform your poor starting

if we had a FAQ section this would be near the head of the list which is perhaps more appropriate than my initial reply but would probably mean the same

 

[[70521]]

This engine has been laid up for 2 years and just recently recommissioned. It now is very slow to start. If you engage the decompression lever then give it a few of spins with the starter, then disengage the decompression lever it starts straight away.
I've changed all the fuel and filters likewise the oil and filter.
Any ideas on what it could be?

Do forgive @scottie, that post was rude and unhelpful.

From my notes on starting my VP2002, the VP2003 will be no different. There is no need to use the decompression level.

Cold Starting

Volvo Penta 2000 series engines have a habit of not starting well when cold!

Set the throttle to full then pull out the stop lever once; this advances the fuel rack, increases the fuel to the cylinders and helps starting.

Warm Starting

Set the throttle to between ½ and ¾

Turn the starter key the engine should catch in about 10 seconds.

This works for me.

 

[Stemar]

First thing - are you using the correct cold start technique? If it hasn't run for a while, I'd give it full throttle, then pull the stop cable out and push it back in. On a cold day, mine still took a bit of churning before it would catch, which wasn't all bad, because it gave a bit of time for the oil pressure to build up before it fired and revved before you could close the throttle.

If it's spinning slowly, check all the connections between the battery and the starter - take 'em apart and give them a good clean. If that doesn't do it, try a known good battery.

Owners' manual here: https://j40sailors.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/volvo_penta_2003_owner.pdf

Note to self - must type faster

 

[slingsby]

Thanks everyone. I'm aware of the cold start procedure and used it on this engine for some time, but now it's not responding to full throttle and stop lever. Any other ideas what it might be?

 

[ithet]

These engines like a good start spin, a battery a bit down or not perfect connections in circuit to starter can cause problems.

 

[scottie]

Jus to cause conf not all 2001-3T have decompression levers

 

[kalanka]

When I bought my boat 12 years ago the previous owner suggested that I give the 1988 2003 about 15 pumps on the priming lever before starting. ... It did not start well, even then!

I didn't think this was right so got a diesel specialist (auto not marine) to look at it, He cleaned the injectors, replaced a valve and took a very slight skim off the cylinder head. It now starts pretty well first time every time following the VP instructions, with just one shot of priming when cold. This continues 12 years on. When the batteries are low after winter I give it a head start by using the decompression lever till the turnover revs rise.

 

[Bilgediver]

Looks like you are losing compression. Starting the way you do is fine and saves the battery. Once run it will probably start easily for the rest of the day.
One other way to help the start is to get a few squirts of engine oil into the cylinders via the air inlet. and then crank over decompressed as you have been doing.