Car won't start... ;o(*

[Igovert500]

Well the first step is figuring out if it's spark or fuel. It could be a $6 half hour fix, or it could be a bit more time consuming, at the bare minimum, the more you troubleshoot the less you have to pay somebody else to. But we really can't estimate until we know which is the problem.

If it's spark related and the engine floods, then yes the gas would eventually leak through your rings and go away (into your oil which would then need to be dumped) but that wouldn't solve the weak or complete lack of spark...and the engine would just flood again next time you tried.

So check 3 things.

1) Is it getting fuel, check as SL3000gt described
2) Is it getting spark, try starter fluid, or pull a plug or two and check.
3) remove oil cap...can you smell gas in there?

If you have spark and fuel, I'd check the timing. Let us know if you don't have fuel or spark.

[sLADe781]

Originally Posted by Igovert500

Well the first step is figuring out if it's spark or fuel. It could be a $6 half hour fix, or it could be a bit more time consuming, at the bare minimum, the more you troubleshoot the less you have to pay somebody else to. But we really can't estimate until we know which is the problem.

If it's spark related and the engine floods, then yes the gas would eventually leak through your rings and go away (into your oil which would then need to be dumped) but that wouldn't solve the weak or complete lack of spark...and the engine would just flood again next time you tried.

So check 3 things.

1) Is it getting fuel, check as SL3000gt described
2) Is it getting spark, try starter fluid, or pull a plug or two and check.
3) remove oil cap...can you smell gas in there?

If you have spark and fuel, I'd check the timing. Let us know if you don't have fuel or spark.

1-So I took off the W shape connector and started the car. Gas came out like what SL said but it didn't gush out super hard nor did it shoot out. Not sure if it was supposed to but gas did come out--trickled at first and then came out harder/faster.

2-Not sure what I'm supposed to do with the plugs once I pull them out...are the front 3 fine or do I have to pull the other ones too? What do with them to check for spark?

3-Took off the oil cap and sniffed it but no smell of gas inside. Had a friend do the same and all he smelled was oil too. When I get my car started, I'll just do an oil change to be safe...but no oil smell at this point.

4-I pulled off the front belt cover and counted the teeth and everything seems to be okay at this point. Not sure about the timing on the bottom or the upper cover but the lower one seems fine.

Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again guys!!!

[VR43000GT]

First off take out a plug or two like Geoff said and then have someone get in the car and turn the ignition over. It may be a good idea to hold where the plug and wire meet with a wrench of some type and hold it tight so you know it is getting a good connection. When they turn the ignition there should be visible spark. If you are not getting spark you may want to get your PTU and/or coils tested. It could possibly be your plug wires as well.

[sLADe781]

Okay, so pull out the plug but have the plug still be connected to the plug wire and start the car, right? Will try that tomorrow if I can before class. Thanks.

[VR43000GT]

That is correct.

[sLADe781]

You guys freakin' ROCK!!!!! Seriously!!!!

So I pulled the front 3 plugs out and they were soaking wet with gas and some black stuff so I just cleaned it off. Stuck everything back in and after a bit of hesitation she fired right up. YAY!!! So now, the aftermath....

1-I don't really have time right now because of school but do I really need to pull the ones under the plenum and clean those too? If I do then would it hurt that I wait a couple months before (spring break) before doing it or is it a necessity that I do it soon?

2-When I pull everything out to clean it, should I just go ahead and change my plug and wires again or can I reuse them? I've had these for about 2 years now (Accel wires and OEM plugs). How about the gaskets? The last time I changed it I changed all the gaskets...do I really need to change them again?

3-Should I still change my oil?

Thanks a bunch guys. You guys always save me money from having to go to the shop!!!

[Igovert500]

Cool glad you got it started. The plugs dripping with gas sounds like the engine was flooding. But if it works it works...you maybe just running rich or flooded the engine the first time...who knows.

I'd replace the plugs. Wires should be fine. Also I'd replace the plenum gasket when you change out hte rear plugs. And changing the oil and filter would be a good idea too, just in case.

For checking for spark in teh future just pull the wire off the plug, remove the plug, reattach it to the wire, and hold them so the plug is near a bolt in your engine bay that can act as a ground. Then make sure you are only holding the rubber part of hte wire and not touching hte car anywhere, and have somebody crank the car a couple of revolutions. You should see a spark between the plug tip and bolt/nut you are using for a ground.

http://techauto.tripod.com/s.htm <- has instructions and pictures a bit down the page.