Should I buy a crank handle for the series 3

Hi all,

Need your kind expert advise, I just purchased a 1983 ex-army 109, having problem to start that engine even I have replaced the starter motor and both batteries, after at least 10 turns of the key then the engine start to run, is this "normal: for a old 1983 landy to start every time? Will it help if I get a crank handle to start the engine instead of using the key? Thanks in advance...

if it doesnt start on the key very well ,youll need strong arms to better that with a handle ,check dizzy for voltage drop whilst starting

Is it petrol? If its diesel you havent a hope in hell of starting it with a handle, unless youve got the power of Heman

I would buy a crank handle for all those servicing jobs like setting timing and valve clearances. Something wrong with it if not starting on key.

divie said:

I would buy a crank handle for all those servicing jobs like setting timing and valve clearances. Something wrong with it if not starting on key.

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doh, I didn't think to do that when I set my points, I stuck it in gear and nudged it to get it on the corner bit of the shaft.

hopefully next time I will remember.

if its a petty try advancing distributor a tadge (turn it clockwise)...retarded engines take a bit to start (ask me how I know!)

divie said:

I would buy a crank handle for all those servicing jobs like setting timing and valve clearances. Something wrong with it if not starting on key.

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I could do with one for mine really, at the minute I can get away with a socket and 4 or 5 long extension bars

samc88 said:

Is it petrol? If its diesel you havent a hope in hell of starting it with a handle, unless youve got the power of Heman

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i fancied buying a cranking handle for mine just for the fact that its got the facility for one but i plan to replace the petrol with a diesel and i wondered if A) the cranking adapter would fit on the diesel and B) would i actually be able to turn a diesel over

You could turn the diesel over...I used to do it with my 2.25d...but only slowly...only any good for setting the tappets.

I used to have this problem with my 2.25 petrol. Turns out it was the o-ring perished on the lift pump sediment bowl. Fuel would back up to the tank. Give your lift pump a few fingers before turning over on the key. Hope it works.

Check compression, spark, timing and fuel delivery. Give it a service and forget the crank handl for starting. I used mine to help fit gearbox input shaft into spigot.
If its a petrol, buy some easy start and try that sprayed in carb, if it starts easily, pron a fuelling issue

Not an expert by a country mile..and my landy is an old diesel, but I'm sure I read/heard somewhere that it was a really bad idea to use easy-start on landy engines (i'm sure somebody will set me straight if I'm wrong)????

excessive use can damage the engine as it tends to cause pre-ignition (I think).

Engines can get addicted to the stuff so best to work out why it wont start beforehand

Crank handles are good for maintenance and on those odd occasions when you've left the lights on. You'll need some life in the battery to get a spark to get it going and make sure you keep your thumb tucked in!

samc88 said:

Is it petrol? If its diesel you havent a hope in hell of starting it with a handle, unless youve got the power of Heman

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i have started bedford RL's in the past with a handle

Is that the army ones with the big petrol engine???

Thank you everyone for your great advise, mine landy is an ex-NZ army petrol V8 engine, I suspect is the fuel delivery problem as I have replaced starter motor and both 12v battery, still need to turn my key around 20 times for it to start every morning (I told myself maybe this is normal for a 1983 landy to start) May be I need to find a better workshop next round of servicing... I like my landy and decide to hold on as long as I can...

A petrol V8 starting that badly? I would tend to suspect fuel pump drainback not working right, or something odd in the fuel system letting the carburettor bowls empty.

Is it any better when you use the choke?

ajr

I always and need to use the choke every time to start the engine in the morning, once engine warm up and there is no problem in the afternoon. The same routine of turn my key around 20 times to start engine again the next morning, maybe the carburettor bowls empty although I can hear the fuel pump working when I switch between the 2 fuel tank ... May I know how many time do you have to turn the key to start your landy every morning? Cheers!

Dingo747 said:

May I know how many time do you have to turn the key to start your landy every morning? Cheers!

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Once!