2001 V70 Engine is difficult to turn over -high resistance

[draser]

Just a few notes here.. If starter solenoid moves pinion out and engages flywheel but does not rotate you'll blow a fuse. Would it rotate with plugs out? There's a chance the stàrter pinion does not go out far enough due to some obstruction which may sound like your case. 15 ft-lb of torque is not much. Can you hear starter spinning? Can you see the flywheel crown gear with starter removed?

[ChrisCK]

Thanks for the ideas. The starter does actually rotate the engine reasonably well with the plugs out. The crown gear is brand-new, and the teeth on the flywheel looked good. It just doesn't get much rotation when the plugs are in. I guess I haven't left it engaged long enough to blow the fuse.

[draser]

Tough one, the obvious is engine is shot, but you were able to get it started. Can you "ring" the starter power cable from the lug to battery? You'll need to disconnect battery and a long piece of wire and ohm meter. Could you hear any grinding during all this process? Like a piece of valve was lodged in piston? With plugs off you should hear something..

[oragex]

With the plugs out, I think it should crank pretty fast, much different than with the plugs in. It spins like an electric engine.

[abscate]

There is a short electrical braid on the starter that can corrode and stop the starter from working well.

If there is any kind of resistance with the plugs out, the internals off the engine are fubar.

[ChrisCK]

Good news today. I pulled off the timing belt and the tensioner, roller, and water pump all spun well. I re-installed the belt with timing marks aligned. I then checked compression in each cylinder using a strong battery from a truck. Compressions ranged from 157 to 170 psi. After re-installing plugs and coils I was able to get good/normal starts (and running) using the stronger battery. I don't know if the realignment of the timing belt made a difference as I thought I had it right the previous time. I now think that initially I had a severely dragging a/c pulley that keeping the engine from turning over even with plenty of charge to the starter. Subsequent to resolving that problem I think I just was not getting sufficient amps from both my jumper box and from my new minivan battery. Anyway, the car is resurrected. Thanks for your advice.