Why won't my car start?

[mr messy]

Don't know what a fuel pump priming would sound like! Fuses sound interesting, but I can't help feeling that they either blow or don't, and as I say, I've been having starting problems a few times recently. I would've thought if it was a blown fuse it wouldn't have started again after the first problem incident.

Thanks all. Much to think about, a couple of things to try.

Whirring sound for couple of seconds coming from rear of car when ign switched on

 

[Pale Rider]

Your old spark plug socket - mentioned earlier - may be too big.

I don't know specifically about Golfs, but a lot of modern cars have smaller hex spark plugs.

 

[growingvegetables]

I think it may be safe to say that a cycling forum MAY not be an obvious place to start?

But then I'm a Luddite. Stopped owning a car before all these silly engine management systems and their damned sensors started coming in.

 

[guitarpete247]

I had a fiesta years ago that would go for about 10 miles then cut out but would restart after a few minutes. It turned out to be HT lead and plug leads.

 

[sight-pin]

This maybe of help. If you remove the oil filler cap you may be able to see a little of the cam or rocker gear (a torch may help here) If you can get someone to turn the engine over while you watch for any movement of the cam or rockers moving, if nothing moves it's more than likely the cambelt snapped.

CAUTION. Make sure the car is out of gear when the engine is being turned over and your standing in front of it

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Is it one of those shitty dacias?

 

[Scoosh]

Is it one of those shitty dacias?

Read the thread from the beginning - it's a 20-yo VW Golf GL estate, petrol !

 

[Andy_R]

Have you put 50p in the slot?

 

[Andy_R]

Read the thread from the beginning - it's a 20-yo VW Golf GL estate, petrol !

Do you really expect 3BM to read stuff from the start...he's got the attention span of a labrador with gravy on it's testicles...

 

[Scoosh]

Do you really expect 3BM to read stuff from the start...he's got the attention span of a labrador with gravy on it's testicles...

[apologies to OP for being a bit OT]

YES, as anyone joining in a thread where assistance is being sought should do !

 

[snorri]

[QUOTE 4096625, member: 76"]It's not a diesel is it?[/QUOTE]
Nah, 20 year old Golfs were mostly 2 stroke

 

[Andy_R]

yebbut..it's a 20 year old golf..it's bound to putter off to it's death (see what I did there)

 

[Over The Hill]

Petrol car filled with diesel?

Drove through a big puddle?

 

[raleighnut]

Could be anything. Take a sparkplug out, earth the tip against the engine block (with the plug lead on) and get someone to spin it over you should be able to see if you've got a spark, if not it is on the ignition side. Then just swap components over for new until it starts (that is what mechanics do*)
If you have got a spark then it could be fuel related, take all the plugs out and spin the engine over if fuel is getting through you'll be able to smell it under the bonnet, if not then start changing components over until it starts (it's what mechanics do*)
If the Cambelt has snapped then you aren't going to do any more damage than has already occurred (pistons only have to clobber the valves once to bend em)
basically it could be anything so trying to diagnose it over t'internet is a non starter () best to get a mechanic to look at it, I know it'll be expensive** but unless you know what you're doing you could be chasing your tail for ever.

* It helps if you've got a spares dept. full of all the relevant spare parts to grab and fit.
** with Main Dealers someone's gotta pay for the sharp suits and company cars that the 'managers' have whilst the guys who do the work get a pittance in comparison (sorry if this sounds a bit 'bitter' but I wasted spent 6yrs as a mechanic at a 'Main Dealer' so I've seen it)

 

[screenman]

I know of main dealers where the techs earn more than the sales people and the managers deserve their salary.

I do not get this moaning about what managers earn, if it is that easy why not become one.