I know this is a late entry to the conversation, but some phraseology used earlier in this discussion got me thinking that we might clarify the difference between "cranking over" or "Cranking" an engine, and "turning over" an engine. Are we, at times, a little too loose with those terms and using them interchangeably when we shouldn't? Some people use them/understand them to be interchangeable, others don't.
I think it's important, especially with a dead or unknown engine, to know the difference (when giving advice) between an engine that won't "crank over" (i.e., won't rotate when power is applied to the starter) and one that won't rotate, either by the starter (it hums or otherwise gives evidence that it is trying to do its job) or by hand with some sort of lever applied to the harmonic balancer bolt or to the teeth of the flywheel.
e.g., an engine that "won't crank" may merely have an electrical issue, whereas (to me, anyway) an engine that "won't turn over"/rotate freely (and we've checked to make sure it's out of gear
) may be seized or have other internal mechanical issues.
Semantics? Regional dialects? Maybe, but it could lead to further problems if we're not clear on this.
Just sayin'
John
