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about lawn mower syndrome and cranking.... 900 1993

posted by  ChrisS on  Fri May 22 08:21 CST 2009
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last visit: Thu Oct 10 21:18 CST 2013
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So, my non-starting continues to wreak havoc on my life (s/o wants it running or gone or else!) and I have some sort of incredibly illogical and ill-placed attachment to this car (mostly to the engine).

so I need to know if I am going about breaking the sticking valves free in the correct manner.

i crank the car with the throttle to the floor. the engine starts to turn over for the first 5 seconds or so. after that point, the starter is just spinning but I don't notice it wanting to start. one can hear the difference, it is quite notable from one phase to the next. I have done this for up to 30 seconds, but it seems like torture for any bit longer than that (as much to my ears as to the car)

shall i continue to crank the car even though the internals seem not to be turning over? is this safe (besides frying my starter)?

what about taking the fuel pump relay out? i tried this and more or less the same thing as above occurred.

again, shall i continue to do this or start hitting the cylinder head with a 20lb sledge hammer? (before I do it to my own head)
--
1991 745








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    about lawn mower syndrome and cranking.... 900 1993

    posted by  DanR on  Fri May 22 10:04 CST 2009
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    last visit: Thu Oct 23 15:25 CST 2014
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    I know what you mean about cranking the starter for so long. If not sure about that approach, try removing the spark plugs, and use a wire from the positive battery terminal to a pink wire with a blue plug on the driver side fender up to where a small bundle of wires travel. This is for the remote starter, when you crank next, take off the oil filler cap and observe that the cam is rotating. Don't know where you reside but usually the lawn mower syn. happens below 50 degrees.

    That last time mine did this, I thought I lost all compression from a timing belt break, because it was turning over so freely from the lack resistance. If this is the case it will start firing one cylinder at a time, first one, then two, it is a nerve wracking procedure. When it gets three up and firing you might be able to let go of the key. I have never taken the spark plugs out to remedy this though.

    Good luck
    DanR
    --
    DanR








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    about lawn mower syndrome and cranking.... 900 1993

    posted by  rwreagan on  Fri May 22 09:23 CST 2009
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    last visit: Sun Aug 14 15:41 CST 2011
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    Chris,

    Don't hold the throttle to the floor. Check out the procedure in the FAQ at this link: http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/960_90Info.htm#960EngineWontStartStickingValves. The throttle should be 1/4 open, not fully open, per the instructions:

    "If the no compression, no start condition occurs you can usually get it to start if you will keep your foot on throttle 1/4 open and operate starter for 30 seconds at a time with a 1 minute rest. Keep throttle open until it starts. If 6 attempts (3 minutes starter time) have been made and it is not running then you will have to have a tow to a service shop. If cranking speed becomes slow during this time indicating you have a severely weakened battery, stop and charge battery or give in and have it towed to service shop."

    Once you finally get it running, be sure to do the follow-up maintenance that includes driving it hard (5000 to 6000 rpm for 12 minutes in low gear) to burn off deposits on the valve stems, then changing the oil (preferably with synthetic - the consensus on this board seems to be Mobile 1, which I used. Can be purchased at Wally World).

    I'm pretty sure that this is the same treatment the car gets at the Volvo dealership for about $500.








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      about lawn mower syndrome and cranking.... 900 1996

      posted by  Efrat3 on  Thu Feb 14 14:21 CST 2013
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      last visit: Tue Apr 22 19:58 CST 2014
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      Worked for me too today, very helpful post. Must have been the perfect storm for my 1996 960 with 100,800 miles on it. After the 2013 blizzard it sat for 6 days, with only two brief interim starts - to move forward 3ft, then back while I was digging it out a few days ago.

      Acted like it wanted to start up at first, then after a mild backfire it died. Followed by a high speed slightly whiny starter noise on all subsequent attempts. I read it as no compression, must have busted the timing belt...great.

      So I pulled the timing belt cover, saw that all was intact and then began to suspect the starter. But although the starter sounded bad, each attempt was in fact turning the engine based on the advancment of the camshaft sprockets. Pulled each plug and found them to be soaked in fuel...

      Puzzeled, I came across this post which made complete sense. Held the throttle down 1/4 while cranking and had it running in less than 30 seconds. Guess I'm due for an oil treatment / change, and will probably move to synthetic.








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      about lawn mower syndrome and cranking.... 900 1993

      posted by  ChrisS on  Fri May 22 10:39 CST 2009
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      last visit: Thu Oct 10 21:18 CST 2013
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      It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~! It worked~!

      thanks rwreagan, and DanR!

      /does crazy happy dance....

      but, since everything comes at a price... see other thread about breaking seal on fuel line
      --
      1991 745







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