3QM30 Manual Engine Crank

[jphud]

Hi ThereI,
Is the engine crank designed for starting or just to turn the engine for maintenance?
Took a shot at starting by decompressing, turning crank and then switching the compression on while cranking and it seems quite a difficult task.

Thanks

 

[rardiH36]

A search of the forums and the internet in general will reveal lots of threads on the topic. In theory, releasing the compression lever, then hand cranking hard to get the engine spinning, then engaging the compression lever ... will start an engine. In practice, I couldn't do it (maybe because the space for hand-cranking isn't the greatest). And it seems like not too many others have succeeded. Maybe with two people on the task, or if the battery still has some life, a combination of first hand-cranking then pushing the button for the starter while just a second later re-engaging the decompression lever might get the engine started?

But yes, releasing the decompression lever does assist with some engine maintenance tasks like valve clearance adjustments.

 

[Blaise]

I hand started my 2qm20 probably a thousand times. Release the compression, spin the engine as fast as you can and flip the lever. I only had to get one piston through the compression cycle for it to start. One thing I did change though was the length of the handle. I had another six inches added to it so it would clear the sides of the engine compartment.

 

[jphud]

Thanks guys,
I don't consider myself a weakling but I may have to re-evaluate.

 

[Jim Legere]

I don't have the crank handle for my 3QM30, so I have never tried. I was able to hand crank and start the Volvo MD6A on my previous boat, but it wasn't something I did for fun. My MED (Marine Emergency Duties) training always stressed the dangers of the handle not disengaging once the motor 'kicks', potentially resulting in broken wrists, mangled elbows, etc. For MED, we had to start big old Lister and Sabb lifeboat diesels. It was a two-man job; one cranking for all they were worth and the other operating the decompression levers. It was always exciting...