Do you use the phrase Turn Over for engines?

DFZ · Dec 5, 2019

Helping my mother-in-law last night diagnose a lawnmower problem, and she said. "It won't turn over".

To me, there is nothing in an engine to "turn over". The crankshaft rotates. I thought at first she meant the engine would not crank, but from further conversation I believe she was using the phrase to mean- firing and rotating under its own power. How would you describe an engine "Turning Over"?

I use the terms- Crank, Fire and run to describe an engine. Such as "the engine Cranks, Fires, but will not run".

Is "Turn Over" still used in any newer auto schools? Do you still use the term? And what do you mean by it?

grizz02 · Dec 5, 2019

might have come from radial aircraft engines that it would not turn all the way over to fire, when they had to prop start them just a guess

Bob Bancroft · Dec 5, 2019

"Turn over" is a phrase commonly used here. It means the crankshaft will turn. Same as how you use the word "crank".

JMOR · Dec 5, 2019

(quoted from post at 15:13:27 12/05/19) Helping my mother-in-law last night diagnose a lawnmower problem, and she said. "It won't turn over".

To me, there is nothing in an engine to "turn over". The crankshaft rotates. I thought at first she meant the engine would not crank, but from further conversation I believe she was using the phrase to mean- firing and rotating under its own power. How would you describe an engine "Turning Over"?

I use the terms- Crank, Fire and run to describe an engine. Such as "the engine Cranks, Fires, but will not run".

Is "Turn Over" still used in any newer auto schools? Do you still use the term? And what do you mean by it?

ee/hear it used all the time. People are not consistent in the use/meaning .

in-too-deep · Dec 5, 2019

Yep I say "turn over" more often than "crank" to mean the engine is spinning and trying to start. When it starts it starts and it's running. Seems like more southern folks say "crank" to mean the engine started. I'm in NW Minnesota. Gotta plug in the block heater or it'll just turn over and not start.

Janicholson · Dec 5, 2019

I use it. My use: To be rotated so that a piston can make more than 2 full rotations. I don't consider the method of turning, it could be rolling down a hill, a starter motor, or a hand crank. Very much includes the rotation only not an intent to start, though that may be the objective. A compression test includes "turning it over" 6 compression strokes on the cylinder being checked." Or (to a helper) turn it over, i have the wire held 1/4" away from the block (this 1/4" specification is taken from old, who often specifies this distance) Jim

Crazy Horse · Dec 5, 2019

For me, I would use the term "crank" when telling someone to crank it over, ie someone in control of the starter key or button. So, "OK Joe, crank it over." If I was talking about it happening successfully, I would say that it "turned over." Like somebody said, same thing really, different terms.

old · Dec 5, 2019

Turn over and crank can means a number of things.
To one person turn over means the starter is turning the crank shaft so maybe it will start.
But to another person that means it is running.
Cranks also pretty much means the same as the above and also to one person one thing and to another person another thing.

To me cranks or turns over mean the same thing and is saying the crank shaft spins when you hit the starter. And in turn maybe or may not start

caterpillar guy · Dec 5, 2019

I've been turning them over for years. As the battery is dead so will not turn over.

David G · Dec 5, 2019

Recips, crank or turn over
Turbines, spin

JMOR · Dec 5, 2019

(quoted from post at 16:39:02 12/05/19) Recips, crank or turn over
Turbines, spin

told him to turn it over. He did, but I never saw a spark?

Steve@Advance · Dec 5, 2019

To me it is a more descriptive term for "won't start".

"Won't start" or "won't crank" are really vague.

"Won't turn over" means no response, locked up, or very slow cranking speed.

"Won't fire" means it is cranking at an acceptable speed but not starting for whatever reason.

DFZ · Dec 5, 2019

Wish this had a "Like" button..

Dean · Dec 5, 2019

Meaning appears to be a regional thing.

In my area, "crank" or "turn over" mean the same thing, e.g., rotating but not under self power.

"Start" means running under self power after cranking.

Dean

Traditional Farmer · Dec 5, 2019

Turnover to me means the engine will well turn or spin,but when someone says they cranked an engine then I assume they got it started.Because if it didn't start they'd
say it turned over but won't start.

Bob Collins · Dec 5, 2019

Years ago I remember an auto parts store placing an upside down car in their parking lot with a big sign; "Will your battery turn your car over this Winter?"

James Howell · Dec 5, 2019

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]Do you still use the term?[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Yes.

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]And what do you mean by it?[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Insert the key in the ignition switch.

Turn the key to start (aka turn over) the engine.

Total "silence"; then look at the key. Turn it again; sit there in total denial and disbelief, then comes your favorite four letter expletive.

OR

"Click, click, click . . . "

Gchase24 · Dec 5, 2019

My neck of the woods Crank it over ,turn it over means rotate crank shaft no run. Crank it up, start it, start it up, fire it, lite it up, build a fire in it all means the same ( engine runs}. That's the irony of the English language, jargon used by different mechanics. For instance lite it up and build a fire in it was used at our local dirt track.

showcrop · Dec 5, 2019

Some may have noticed that I have been on a campaign against the use of this phrase for a few months. As others have said it is used in place of "crank" or "to start". It appears to be that neither use is more common than the other. So the use of it is not only useless, it is counter productive to anyone seeking advice. I urge everyone to join in and ask posters to use either crank or start, so that posters can be given meaningful help.

jeffcat · Dec 5, 2019

This is getting dizzy. OK, in south jersey when you "crank it over",that means the starter is engaged and the engine is spinning thus trying to start. The next step would be "is it trying to start". That means it is cranking and sputting, making an attempt to run. That is as far as I want to go.

John Deere D · Dec 5, 2019

The Industry I retired from, operated and maintained "Internal Combustion Engines" as well as "Gas Generators / Turbines"

When I was awakened in the middle of the night at (-40 Below,... never 80 F).......I would hear from a Junior Operator....."my Gas generator will not SPIN, or Spool up"....

If the call was from a planet with an Internal Combustion Engine... My engine will not "Crank over" or "turn over"...

Retirement is great..........

Bob...

CKain(MI) · Dec 5, 2019

'Won't turn over' has always been my pet-peeve. Mostly used by my wife, at the time. Honey the car won't turn over! So I try it and it cranks(spins) just fine but won't fire. I say, It does 'turn over', just don't start. it's a problem, if you have to load some tools and go to town where the vehicle is.

T.R.K. · Dec 5, 2019

'Turn over' may have come from way back when you actually turned the crank to start the engine.

I work on small engines.

Sometimes on the phone talking to a customer we do have to establish whether its not starting because the starter is not cranking the engine or the starter spins it over fine 'turning over' but the engine is not starting.

And yes, the terminology is probably a regional thing. Like when the British 'Throw' and engine, and mean they are starting it with a crank.

caseIHCem · Dec 5, 2019

MILS are always right!! The END.

pete 23 · Dec 5, 2019

I don't think anyone mentioned that what we refer to as a starter is actually a cranking motor. Formerly, a crank was used manually to turn the crankshaft and then the electric cranking motor came along to turn crank it or turn it over, same difference. Even if you turned the fly wheel or pulled on a belt, you were turning the engine over. I always ask, will it crank. Some say, no I was using the starter.

David G · Dec 5, 2019

John Deere D

I picked up a little project that you might be interested in.

My customer has recips that are air start, they were blowing up mufflers due to not "cranking" long enough without fuel or spark to clear then out before starting. They had been cranking for 6 revolutions before ignition then fuel, but found out it should be 20 revolutions. The customer has air compressors that cycle between 210 and 250 PSI and at least 210 is needed to crank engine fast enough for good start. We are going to kick the compressors on and wait for the air pressure to be above 240 before starting to crank.

We believe this will help multiple problems, the first is providing a faster crank, and we will have a jump if we want to start a 2nd or 3rd compressor.

I will be working on this after new year.

aFORDable · Dec 5, 2019

In my "neck of the woods" if someone says "it won't turn over" we understand it to mean either the battery is dead or down (that can bring on another discussion) or there are loose connections somewhere or the starter is toast. In extreme cases it could mean the engine/motor (another discussion) is locked up. (Yet another since locked up means seized and not in a secure area. Ah, the good old English language.

John Deere D · Dec 5, 2019

Good evening David g...
The last Recp. Compressor station I was involved with had two monster Clark V-16's..
There were six pipes, 30" diameter .375 wall X 50' long buried in the ground. These storage Vessels/ Pipes were maintained at 240 PSI Air pressure.

When a start sequence was initiated on one of the Clarks, the Engine would start to turn over on starting air...how long and at what RPM evades me now. I would say probably the unit was on starting air for at least 20>45 RPM's. At some point after 20>45 RPMs the AIR assist on both TURBOS would energize.

As starting air was still turning the engine over, both TURBOS were also being spooled up on starting air. With the ignition energised, fuel enabled to the engine, ignition retarded (2 STROKE ENGINE)the turbo assist had to stay energized to the turbos until the engine was placed on load.
When the governor started to increase fuel, heat was produced to sustain Turbos. Turbo assist air was then shut off.

As long as ENGINE was NOT UNDRELOAD the TURBO assist had to be maintained.

If unit had a failed start / load sequence, there was ONLY one more air volume left to try the second start.

Bob..

John Deere D · Dec 5, 2019

We also had V-16 Nordberg's...4000 hp at 450 RPM....( 4 stroke)....single Turbo..
These engines also had an air start system, as in an extra Valve in each cylinder head.
Also air assist to the Turbo..
These Engines had to see 70 RPM on starting air... before Ignition and then Fuel.
Once Turbo RPM,Ignition,fuel and heat was observed the starting air was shut off to the TURBO.
Being of the 4 stroke design, the starting air dropped off to the TURBO as soon as the engine governor received a single to increase fuel..
Each Nordberg engine had it's own air storage receiver ....30" Diam. X 20' long...Air psi 240 PSI.

If for some reason (seldom) there was a failed start we would open a 2" Valve to the 6 buried storage tanks as per the V-16's.

These engines HAD to see 70 RPM on staring air or else NO IGNITION,NO FUEL..

Bob..

M-MAN · Dec 6, 2019

Scary but your mother inlaw is correct. Simply means nothing is turning (and yes everything in that engine is turning except the Piston, rod, and valves). It won't crank means it turns but won't run. Regional, maybe, but it's so simple a child can understand.

used red MN · Dec 6, 2019

CaseIH, I see your new on YT...and funny as he11! We need more guys on here with a good sense of humor! Welcome to YT!

redbeatsgreen · Dec 6, 2019

In my part of the country "starter" can also mean
the nut "holding the steering wheel"-on.

K Effective · Dec 7, 2019

At work, we use 12 cylinder Worthington diesels for generator use, 4500 BHP. Air start with air turbo assist, reach full speed of 514 RPM within ten seconds.

Prior to running a test, we'll either roll the engine over with air for ten seconds with cylinder vent valves open to clear any oil oil/fuel/water from the cylinders, or "roll it over" two revolutions with a pneumatic jacking ram that hooks into the flywheel- kinda like ratcheting: hook, lift, release, lower, repeat. All to make sure it doesn't "hydro" a cylinder and break something.

JohnDeereD- are those gas compressors mounted perpendicular to the engine in your second photo?

Walston · Dec 7, 2019

my local experience is:

Here "turn over" means that the starter makes the crankshaft spin but the engine does not actually start. ie, It turns over but wont start. Or, It won't turn over, the battery may be dead.

Here the turn crank or cranked using means the engine actually starts. ie. It was -20 thus morning, but I turned the key and it cranked right up.

Deutz Lover · Dec 7, 2019

To me Turn over means an engine will not rotate either by starter or hand rotation. Such an engine is locked up.

Deutz Lover · Dec 7, 2019

Or the starter won't work.

buickanddeere · Dec 7, 2019

(quoted from post at 15:13:27 12/05/19) Helping my mother-in-law last night diagnose a lawnmower problem, and she said. "It won't turn over".

To me, there is nothing in an engine to "turn over". The crankshaft rotates. I thought at first she meant the engine would not crank, but from further conversation I believe she was using the phrase to mean- firing and rotating under its own power. How would you describe an engine "Turning Over"?

I use the terms- Crank, Fire and run to describe an engine. Such as "the engine Cranks, Fires, but will not run".

Is "Turn Over" still used in any newer auto schools? Do you still use the term? And what do you mean by it?

Thank Goodness some knob isn t talking about " it runs out good".

Do you use the phrase Turn Over for engines?

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