Non starter, help !!!

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:44 pm

Hi dudes,

Last week the thermostat in my E30 packed up and in the process of removing it the water went all over the place in the engine bay. Since then the car doesn't start.

Its been a week, and I thought that it would have dried up and it would start ok, but apart from the usual ignition noise there is no 'push' and it just wont start. TBH it sounds like it would do if there was no petrol, but there is !!

I checked battery, plugs, dizzy cap, cables... all seems as usual, any ideas ???

I am also having a look around in previous posts, but its not helping much...

!!! In my car all seems to be ok !

Help please !!

Jose

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:52 pm

Is the starter motor spining then?

Just not fireing up?

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:58 pm

Yes, I turn the key on and the starter is fine, is as you said. I put my foot on the accelerator and nothing happens. And there is no smell of petrol, so there are no leaks.

I just unplugged the battery and reconnected it, but still no joy.

The car has no thermostat at the moment, but I would have thought ths shouldn't be a problem ???

Jose

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:02 pm

Have you sprayed the inside of the leads/ends of plugs with wd40? then wiped off the excess?

Wouldn't of thought no thermostat would be a problem when starting up..just in this weather it will never warm up properly!

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:07 pm

I sprayed them with BMW solution - similar to WD40 - with no results. It is very strange, its always fired up 1st time, in a couple of seconds, and now all the sudden it seems it doesn't like it. Can't think of anything else I can do to fix it. It seems electrical...

Jose

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:15 pm

Hmm

Do you know if there is a spark at all?

Take a spark plug out and crank the engine to see if it sparks (easier to do in the dark...)

Have you looked at the distributer cap/rotor?

AFM plug didn't get wet did it?

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:27 pm

[quote="Gwynleym10"]Hmmquote]

lol I know !

As I turn the key, there is the usual starter noise, mixed with a quick and smooth tic-tic, which I assume is the injectors or the spark plugs...

Checked the AFM plug and is dry.

I put some BMW solution in the spark plug leads earlier but it doesn't appear to help. I took one of the spark plug leads out, and didn't see any spark: when the thermostat cracked, water did get in contact with the spark plugs and their leads, there was boiling water everywhere, for a while the car fired up ok, but now I am losing the hope, its been a week since this happened and it should be ok !!

The dizzy cap is ok, I checked it this morning...

Jose

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:32 pm

are you sure there is coolant in it?
If the thermostat housing cracked and it was leaking out thats not good!
Running a car without coolant is

Hope you get it sorted

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:35 pm

Jose - i'm just checking you think you're getting the correct part from me in the post tomorrow.

You referred to the thermostat cracking and spewing coolant. Are you sure you don't need the thermostat housing?

this is what you are getting from me

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:36 pm

darren_rice wrote:are you sure there is coolant in it?
If the thermostat housing cracked and it was leaking out thats not good!
Running a car without coolant is
Hope you get it sorted

It was just the thermostat that cracked, the housing is fine. I have a thermostat on its way and need to fire the car up so I can fill the water system with water and coolant. But can't find the fault

Jose

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:36 pm

Just a suggestion, but underneath the inlet manifold, towards the bottom of the block is a screw together type plastic plug. I believe that this connects everything up starting wise...(vague i know) make sure that this is not wet inside it.

On my old H26, although it wasnt wet it had lost its connection and gives off exactly the same symptoms as you've described. Other than that not too sure...

All the best

Geoff.

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:39 pm

It is a fun one!

Could you have flooded the engine with fuel.....

O.K if there is no spark then that must be the problem, clean all the contacts going to the coil, and all the engine earth straps and make sure they are in good condition.

Take the spark plugs out, are the wet/soaked in fuel?

Call the AA/RAC!....

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:39 pm

try and have another check about the spark mate, double check it is sparking, take a plug out, connect the plug cap and then make sure the spark plug is touching the block of the engine when you crank it, should be able to see a spark.

I recall a thread ages ago when someone couldn't get their car started, think it may have been Swirly. Sure that turned out to be a crank position sensor after swapping over most of the electrical system.

Just making suggestions really. Also after prolonged turning over and probably flooding it, you should have a wiff of fuel. If no smell of fuel there is a chance you could have a problem with the pump. check the obvious though like the contents of the fusebox. When you put the ignition on do you hear the pump buzz briefly? and give the relays a tap too.

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:44 pm

Geoff wrote:Just a suggestion, but underneath the inlet manifold, towards the bottom of the block is a screw together type plastic plug. I believe that this connects everything up starting wise...(vague i know) make sure that this is not wet inside it.

On my old H26, although it wasnt wet it had lost its connection and gives off exactly the same symptoms as you've described. Other than that not too sure...

All the best

Geoff.

Just checked it, it has crap all over it, but it seems to be just oil. Plugged it again and still the same.

Think I am going to wait and see if my mates can fix it. I could check the spark plugs as you say Lee, it does seem like a smart move, but can not afford to spend more time in the car today, being an electrical problem this goes beyond my skills !!

Thanks for your help guys. As you say it is now probably filled with fuel and won't start anyway !!!

Will see what my mates say...

Jose

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 5:11 pm

Can't believe you lot!

Standard procedure for checking for non-start

1. Does the car turn over?
No=flat battery, main link/fuse or starter problem

2. Turns over then:
Is there a spark?
No=check LT circuit is live with ignition on if yes
Check spark plugs with known good or with screwdriver
If no spark still, check dizzy cap/rotor, HT leads and coil
Also check ECU and sensors

3. If spark present:
Is there fuel supply with ignition on/engine turning?
No=problem with fuel pump and/or relay or blockage in fuel line or empty fuel tank

4. If fuel present:
Remove and dry/clean/gap spark plugs or replace
Check static engine timing
Check cambelt/chain still tensioned and turning cam

5. If all above OK:
Compression test engine

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 5:29 pm

Check the iginition coil wire on the battery positive terminal...

i've experience once on that make me work like a fool for the day....

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 6:57 pm

Kinaka - your avatar is hoooge!

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 11:16 pm

is car m40 powered ?

Post Mon Jan 09, 2006 11:20 pm

did you disconnect leads?cam ,crank,ht?if not is lead to coil pushed right in.cam ,crank plugs(the leads that go across timing cover)are all dry and plugged in properly?