Turning over slow

[orion_134]

2003 Volvo Penta 4.3GL
Working on the boat for the step-dad. He bought a remanufactured starter because his last reman broke an ear off. It sat for a year before he decided to put that starter in. Enter me.

I install the starter and at first turn of the key the engine is turning over slowly and can't even turn through it's own compression stroke. I pull the plugs and all are dry, then turn it over while doing a voltage drop test. Had excessive voltage drop through the cables (even under minimal load with plugs removed). I replace all cables with 4ga welding cable and it still turns over slowly and still grinds. All voltage drops are within spec, although the total voltage drop is 1.5v without any plugs in. As soon as any load is put on the engine/starter (put in either bank of 3 plugs) it is too much load and the starter can't do it.

So, did he get a lemon starter? I want to tell him to just nut up and buy a Volvo starter, am I making the right decision? Any other trouble-shooting I could try?

Thanks,
Jesse

 

[Don S]

Re: Turning over slow

Poor (loose or corroded) connections on the battery terminals or cables will cause that. That includes the crimped cable ends of the cables. Both positive and negative.

 

[orion_134]

Re: Turning over slow

Thanks for the quick response.

I replaced all cables and then took voltage drop readings across all wires and connections, they were all within spec.

 

[orion_134]

Re: Turning over slow

So, if not cables/connections, any other options before we throw money at a Volvo starter?

 

[Maclin]

Re: Turning over slow

Why not bench test the starter you just installed...I know you just put it in and everything, but just sayin then you would know.

 

[orion_134]

Re: Turning over slow

I may be mistaken, but won't a benchtest just tell me that the bendix is kicking out and then give me an amperage or voltage drop reading while the starter is under no load? Wouldn't a more accurate test be with it in the boat and actually turning over the engine to produce a load?

 

[Don S]

Re: Turning over slow

How do you know you don't have an engine or drive problem causing the excessive load? Have you tried to turn the engine by hand?

 

[Maclin]

Re: Turning over slow

You did that (tried it in the boat) and still are not sure, and could still maybe have the same problem with a different/new starter.

I realize I said "bench test" but was thinking of more than just a 12v battery and alligator clips, using a true starter bench test machine run by someone who knows how it works. A bench test machine gives an accurate reading on weakness via the current draw. Had you done the bench test on the machine first you may have decided differently on putting that one in. Nothing wrong with buying a totally new starter, but you have to take the other one back out anyway if you decide on a different starter, just sayin'...

 

[Maclin]

Re: Turning over slow

Don S' post was not there when I started my post, I type slow... Definitely check what he mentioned first, may not be starter related at all.

 

[orion_134]

Re: Turning over slow

That makes sense, excess initial load from internal drag combined with cranking compression overpowers the starter. I'll pull the starter to have it checked at a starter shop and try to turn it over by the flywheel. I can't access the crank bolt because of the water pump dealy down there.

 

[orion_134]

Re: Turning over slow

What is involved with gaining access to the crank bolt? The engine felt a little tight trying to use a screwdriver in the flywheel, so I want to be sure.

 

[orion_134]

Re: Turning over slow

ttt