5.7GL (carb) volvo penta slow cranking

[Mannie]

Guys, i'm hoping some of you may be able to help me. I have a 1994 5.7GL Volvo Penta and when I turn the key, she turns over very slowly a bit like when the battery is going flat. I've replaced both batteries and the problem hasnt gone away. Most times she turns over slowly a few times then fires into life. Is my starter on it's last legs? Or is there a less expensive fix.
Thanks in anticipation

 

[Don S]

Re: 5.7GL (carb) volvo penta slow cranking

1. Check all the connections. Make sure they are clean, shiny, and tight (wing nuts not allowed, use a regular nut and a wrench)
2. Check all the cables, including the grounds. Are the teminal ends in good shape?
3. If all that is ok, pull the starter and take it to your local starter/alternator repair shop and have it tested and checked out. Don't just take it to the local auto parts store where some kid tells you it make a noise that sounds ok.
4. You might also want to pull the outdrive and check the gimbal bearing and ujoints for water intrusion and rust. That can really slow an engines cranking speed down.

 

[dawson515]

Re: 5.7GL (carb) volvo penta slow cranking

Don, why are wing nuts not good to use? I am having the same problem with my boat. When it has been sitting for a while it will fire right up, but then when i try to restart it, it sounds like the battery is low. I notice that by negative battery cable is also getting hot as well. i pulled the starter off and am going to have it tested today.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 5.7GL (carb) volvo penta slow cranking

I notice that by negative battery cable is also getting hot as well.

Ayuh,... Heat, equals Resistence,... Either the cable, or it's Ends are Bad, or corroded....

 

[dawson515]

Re: 5.7GL (carb) volvo penta slow cranking

Thanks Bondo, Since I already have the starter pulled, I am going to have it tested. I will probaby go ahead and replace my battery cables too.

 

[Mannie]

Re: 5.7GL (carb) volvo penta slow cranking

Hi Don, sorry for the delay but we have had a wee bit of sunshine and i've been out on the water. Thanks for your check list, one battery has wingnuts but the ends are in very good condition. Next step is pull the starter off, i'm beginning to think thats where the problem is, sometimes after she fires up a second or so later there is a kind of dull rasp which sounds like the starter may not be disengaging cleanly, could be the early signs of a dying starter!!! Think i'll change those wingnuts anyway because if Don says it, it gets done

 

[NHGuy]

Re: 5.7GL (carb) volvo penta slow cranking

There is a less common but possible other explanation of slow cranking when hot. That is if the timing is too far advanced.

 

[Mannie]

Re: 5.7GL (carb) volvo penta slow cranking

NH Guy, thanks for the post, but i'm not sure how the timing affects the turnover, if the engine hasnt fired, what part does the timing play and how would it stop the engine from turning? The problem is the engine will turnover once, then it seems to struggle to complete another revolution. Im getting a bit worried about the dull rasping sound that you sometimes briefly hear once the engine fires up after a slow start. This happens when the engine is warm or cold. Interestingly when I switch to both batteries she fires straight away which makes me think starter