My car is dead! HELP!

[Ryan]

Was driving in2 work, doing about 70 on the motorway and then it changes to a 50mph zone when I turn off so just let my foot off the accelerator and slowed down. Went to put my foot back on the accelerator but nothing happened!!! The engine was still running but I just couldnt accelerate.

I pulled over and tried it in nuteral but still nothing! Then the engine died, cant get it started again, everytime I turn the key it makes a kind of whinning noise from the starter motor. Was getting towed home and tried to jump start it but nothing, no even a kick!

Whats you thoughts?

 

[SBV116]

when you try and start it you say its making a whining noise? does it seem to be turning over faster than normal?

 

[Ryan]

when you try and start it you say its making a whining noise? does it seem to be turning over faster than normal?

yea, like the starter isnt catching if you know what i mean?

 

[Da]

could be the main earth connection to the engine. Who towed you home, AA, RAC, private?

 

[ClioFin]

Out of gas?

Same happen to me when my gasoline meter was broken, showed half tank when it was empty..

 

[Ryan]

My Dad towed me home, its scary being that close to a 20k car when your breaks dont really work lol! Wheres the main earth connection to the engine?

ClioFin, just filled it to the neck yesterday.

Cheers guys

 

[Dan@SJM]

cambelt ok?

 

[Ryan]

cambelt ok?

unsure, how would i check?

 

[Danith]

look at the cambelt and make sure its still there??

 

[TheCake]

I'd very surprised if the cambelt had gone, it would make a horrendous amount of noise and I'd be surprised if the engine even tried to turn over.

Sounds like an earthing problem.

 

[benji&eka]

.

 

[benji&eka]

yea, like the starter isnt catching if you know what i mean?

good call sbv116, could be the timing belt failed, undo the cover & have a look

 

[Ryan]

I'd very surprised if the cambelt had gone, it would make a horrendous amount of noise and I'd be surprised if the engine even tried to turn over.

Sounds like an earthing problem.

It just sounds like the started motor is whizzing tho, and when we tried to bump start it there was nothing as all, not even a kick!

good call sbv116, could be the timing belt failed, undo the cover & have a look

Will go check the timing belt, wheres the cam belt?

 

[Da]

timing belt/cam belt same thing. My money is still on earthing

 

[Ryan]

timing belt/cam belt same thing. My money is still on earthing

and where would i find what ever i need 2 find to check the earthing! (that made sense in my head lol)

 

[Da]

Just check the physical connections. You have a mk1 ph3 right so I'm not really familiar with those engines but check the main earth to the starter motor first. Then try and trace the main earth to the engine from the chassis.

 

[SBV116]

i cant remember on that engine, if you take your oil cap off the engine and get a torch, can you see the cam inside the cap?!

 

[Mike_182]

Anyone think it sounds like the solenoid not engaging the starter gear?

 

[Rich1.2]

no cos why would that cause the engine to cut out in the 1st place? seems to me that it might be coincidence and unfotunately the cambelt MAY have gone as the starter is whizzing over. when they belts bust it doesnt necessarily make a huge amount of nois on the 8v's

 

[SBV116]

no cos why would that cause the engine to cut out in the 1st place? seems to me that it might be coincidence and unfotunately the cambelt MAY have gone as the starter is whizzing over. when they belts bust it doesnt necessarily make a huge amount of nois on the 8v's

my gut feeling, i think the starter is just pushing the pistons up and down, under no stress so turns over a lot quicker! no compression in the cylinders.

 

[Ryan]

no cos why would that cause the engine to cut out in the 1st place? seems to me that it might be coincidence and unfotunately the cambelt MAY have gone as the starter is whizzing over. when they belts bust it doesnt necessarily make a huge amount of nois on the 8v's

my gut feeling, i think the starter is just pushing the pistons up and down, under no stress so turns over a lot quicker! no compression in the cylinders.

would that happen if the belt had snapped?

 

[Bradharding]

Simple check. Is the fuel pump priming?

 

[SBV116]

yes! some of the valves will be bent, and the valves wont be working, if you go and open the filler cap, if you can see the cam inside, get someone to turn it over and have a look if it turns, if it doesnt make sure the bottom pulley, the one that the alternater belt is going to turns, so if the bottom pulley turns and the cam doesnt the belt has snapped!

 

[Mike_182]

yes! some of the valves will be bent, and the valves wont be working, if you go and open the filler cap, if you can see the cam inside, get someone to turn it over and have a look if it turns, if it doesnt make sure the bottom pulley, the one that the alternater belt is going to turns, so if the bottom pulley turns and the cam doesnt the belt has snapped!

You'd know if that had happened though - you'd have earache from the racket!

 

[SBV116]

not particulary! sometimes you do, othertimes they just stop, game over!:dead:

 

[Djw John]

Its a bit odd that it kept running for a wee bit though, fuelling problem?

 

[SBV116]

true, where are you ryan?! in the country that is!

 

[Ryan]

yes! some of the valves will be bent, and the valves wont be working, if you go and open the filler cap, if you can see the cam inside, get someone to turn it over and have a look if it turns, if it doesnt make sure the bottom pulley, the one that the alternater belt is going to turns, so if the bottom pulley turns and the cam doesnt the belt has snapped!

Will check that just now!

How would I know if the fuel pump is priming? Is that the thing that makes the noise when you turn the ignition on? (Check out my amazing technical description lol)

 

[Ryan]

true, where are you ryan?! in the country that is!

Scotland, Falkirk to be exact! I was broken down on the slip road heading towards Edinburgh Airport this morning if anyone spotted me lol!

 

[Djw John]

Yeah but you need to make sure its pumping as well

 

[SBV116]

to far to come and have a look then!!

 

[benji&eka]

it may not have been actually runnning, just freewheeling untill you stopped, you would'nt have heared anything on that engine if the belt failed it would have just bent a few valves out of the way and probably n ot by much either. the starter motor sound different 'cos there is no compression and its not got to work as hard th turn the engine over. there is a plastic (i think its plastic on that engine its been i while since i've seen one) cover on the o/s of the engine held on with either 10mm or 8mm bolts or some clips. it will be in two sections. remove the upper section and have a look

 

[Ryan]

yes! some of the valves will be bent, and the valves wont be working, if you go and open the filler cap, if you can see the cam inside, get someone to turn it over and have a look if it turns, if it doesnt make sure the bottom pulley, the one that the alternater belt is going to turns, so if the bottom pulley turns and the cam doesnt the belt has snapped!

you mean the oil filler cap? Just done that and there is nothing moving inside at all! . The belt thats visable, think its the alternator belt(?) does turn when you try to start it up! Doesnt sound too good!

 

[Ryan]

Yeah but you need to make sure its pumping as well

How could that be done? Wouldnt the engine still turn tho? Just not fire? If there was no fuel getting to it?

 

[SBV116]

yes! some of the valves will be bent, and the valves wont be working, if you go and open the filler cap, if you can see the cam inside, get someone to turn it over and have a look if it turns, if it doesnt make sure the bottom pulley, the one that the alternater belt is going to turns, so if the bottom pulley turns and the cam doesnt the belt has snapped!

you mean the oil filler cap? Just done that and there is nothing moving inside at all! . The belt thats visable, think its the alternator belt(?) does turn when you try to start it up! Doesnt sound too good!

can you see the camshaft?

 

[Ryan]

you mean the oil filler cap? Just done that and there is nothing moving inside at all! . The belt thats visable, think its the alternator belt(?) does turn when you try to start it up! Doesnt sound too good!

can you see the camshaft?

I think so, not 100% tho. I can see in the engine, theres a spring type thing i can see, should it move?

 

[jjoe90]

Anyone think it sounds like the solenoid not engaging the starter gear?

anyonethought of taking it to your nearest gargae instead of all trying to be mechanics
not being funy lik it is just i know a lad who is like this thins he can fix out always ends up going to somone who knows what they are alkin bout

 

[SBV116]

can you see the camshaft?

I think so, not 100% tho. I can see in the engine, theres a spring type thing i can see, should it move?

yes, the camshaft should turn around and that spring thing should go up and down!!

 

[SBV116]

Anyone think it sounds like the solenoid not engaging the starter gear?

anyonethought of taking it to your nearest gargae instead of all trying to be mechanics
not being funy lik it is just i know a lad who is like this thins he can fix out always ends up going to somone who knows what they are alkin bout

I am a bloody mechanic!!!!

 

[SBV116]

or as was said earlier, if your under the bonnet on the drivers side of the engine there is a black cover over the cambelt, held on with two 10mm bolts at the top, take them out and have a look under it!