Starting problems

[banana]

Hello - I'm having problems getting a k series R500 started - after 2 replacement Banner batteries I've come to the conclusion there isn't enough cranking power. I've had no problem over the summer.

Any owners out there with a similar spec what batteries are you using?

[Gingerbread Man]

I also have winter starting issues, so I'll be following your thread.

Does it start with a bad idle, or never catch?

[banana]

It won't turn over properly couple of half hearted cranks then the battery has no more juice.

If I attached another battery, it cranks much faster and starts ok - runs a bit rough for the first minute then settles down - but it is a lumpy k series.

I know winter means more stress on battery, oil thicker, etc but I'm surprised I'm seeing such a big difference from summer performance.

Not sure if Banner do a higher amph battery in the same size to fit the battery holder.

[Gingerbread Man]

Have you a reprogramable ECU?

[Johnfrancis]

You could try a winter oil, a thinner viscosity will help in cold temps.

[Gingerbread Man]

Johnfrancis said:

You could try a winter oil, a thinner viscosity will help in cold temps.

Isn't the standard 10/50?

[BertBert]

There must be something electrically wrong here. The engine doesn't suddenly go "impossible to turn over" with the drop in temps we have.

So if the battery is good, then the electrical route to the starter or the starter itself must have a problem if the engine won't physically turn over.

The battery is the obvious place. What state are the banners you have tried? Have you tested them with one of those load testers?

Bert

[alanplumbridge]

I had the same thing last winter - turned out to be a loose earth lead.

[pikeyboy]

alanplumbridge said:

I had the same thing last winter - turned out to be a loose earth lead.

This^ check the earth strap connection or try running a second earth cable to the battery from the engine. To test it you could use a jump lead from the engine to the earth terminal on the battery.

[mickrick]

Also check the earth strap between the engine and chassis.
Take the connections off, clean them, and paint them with some "Starbright" Liquid electrical tape.
http://www.starbrite.com/productdetail.cfm?ID=1076...
You should be able to pick some up from a yacht chandlers.

Edited by mickrick on Tuesday 11th December 08:26

[DVandrews]

If the cranking advance is set too high then the engine will kick back when the cranking speed drops a little (during cold weather for example) then the starter will seem to strain and it will seem like a flat battery. It might also be worth giving the throttle adjustment screw a small adjustment to allow a little more air in at startup and see how it fares, this normally improves starting no end.

Dave

[banana]

Sorry been away for a while - thanks for your replies.
Dave A is the throttle adjustment screw on roller barrel TB in the centre where the throttle cable fitting sits?

[Ult-Jim]

mickrick said:

Also check the earth strap between the engine and chassis.
Take the connections off, clean them, and paint them with some "Starbright" Liquid electrical tape.
http://www.starbrite.com/productdetail.cfm?ID=1076...
You should be able to pick some up from a yacht chandlers.

Edited by mickrick on Tuesday 11th December 08:26

Good call Mick, I clean the connections annually on the Caterham to tick that box for not being a reason for not starting. As also a boaty - I have the starbright stuff plastered on all the wires inside the tender console, which is not salt water tight. Its done well, and have no problems, even when the deckie buries the boat in a wave!

Edited by Ult-Jim on Sunday 16th December 22:17

[mickrick]

Ult-Jim said:

mickrick said:

Also check the earth strap between the engine and chassis.
Take the connections off, clean them, and paint them with some "Starbright" Liquid electrical tape.
http://www.starbrite.com/productdetail.cfm?ID=1076...
You should be able to pick some up from a yacht chandlers.

Edited by mickrick on Tuesday 11th December 08:26

Good call Mick, I clean the connections annually on the Caterham to tick that box for not being a reason for not starting. As also a boaty - I have the starbright stuff plastered on all the wires inside the tender console, which is not salt water tight. Its done well, and have no problems, even when the deckie buries the boat in a wave!

Edited by Ult-Jim on Sunday 16th December 22:17

'Tis good stuff. I always have a tin in my electrical kit.
Another product I can't live without is Tef Gel
http://www.tefgel.com/#