Slow turning over

Have a mk1 gti with a TSR engine, when starting the starter motor turn VERY slowly, and the car eventually starts after four or five turns. Should the turning be very low due to the high compression TSR engine or should i be looking at my charging circuit?

First thing is to check the battery is fully charged. If it isn't why isn't it? Has it been stood for a while? Is the alternator not charging as it should? If all that is ok check the connection between the battery and the starter and the earth on the gearbox mount.

Hi, thanks for the last reply. I have checked and cleaned all connections between the battery / starter and ground - these are all fine. The battery is fully charged - ive even swapped it for a heavy duty one off my other car.

Do you think that the starter could be starting to fail? The motor seems to go wurp…..wurp…….wurp and then on the third or fourth go fires up no probs. Maybe i'll try a cheap one off a mk2?

This should be turning fast right?

Hmmm. Has the timing been checked? Sounds like it could be too far advanced which will give similar symptoms when trying to start the car. That's the only other thing I can think of…

Haven't checked the timing but really unsure of what it should be as the TSR engine is a bit razzy - maybe its something to do with that. The heavy duty battery seems to be doing the trick, also, it turns over easier from cold, if that helps in any way?