Car starting problems

[Checkers]

I recently got a 99 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS, and have been having constant problems. I've gotten most of them sorted out but one is sometimes it has trouble starting. It will crank but not turn over. I had a mechanic with me for two of the times and he took a flathead screwdriver and somehow started it. This was a while ago, and it hadn't been driven since around that time (A month or two) and it happened again after filling it up today. The mechanic either poked or turned something by the headers, and it started right up. I don't remember if he had me try to start it while he was doing it, but I don't think so. Today when it happened (At a gas station, sadly. With a couple schoolmates watching. Fortunately when they asked if it wasn't working I told them it was a project car and I'm in the process of getting her perfect, which got rid of any embarrassment) I opened up the coolant reservoir and it's shaped like an upside down L so I can't see how much is in there, but I filled it up a little more and it started fine. It could've been giving it time though too, because that was the problem once before. What could the problem be, a faulty starter? I had a thread about the best gas to use, and the previous owner said he always used 91 octane, so I did, and today I started using 89 (Doing to go to 87 next time) so maybe the high octane gas isn't igniting for some reason? I'm new to cars so I'm sorry about anything stupid I may have said.

Also when it's in neutral and the clutch isn't depressed, it sounds like a strange belt spinning. The throwout bearing was (Supposedly) replaced recently, and the transmission was replaced. This isn't related to the starting, but if anyone has any ideas, that would be appreciated as well. Thank you

 

[gusu]

I recently got a 99 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS, and have been having constant problems. I've gotten most of them sorted out but one is sometimes it has trouble starting. It will crank but not turn over. I had a mechanic with me for two of the times and he took a flathead screwdriver and somehow started it. This was a while ago, and it hadn't been driven since around that time (A month or two) and it happened again after filling it up today. The mechanic either poked or turned something by the headers, and it started right up. I don't remember if he had me try to start it while he was doing it, but I don't think so. Today when it happened (At a gas station, sadly. With a couple schoolmates watching. Fortunately when they asked if it wasn't working I told them it was a project car and I'm in the process of getting her perfect, which got rid of any embarrassment) I opened up the coolant reservoir and it's shaped like an upside down L so I can't see how much is in there, but I filled it up a little more and it started fine. It could've been giving it time though too, because that was the problem once before. What could the problem be, a faulty starter? I had a thread about the best gas to use, and the previous owner said he always used 91 octane, so I did, and today I started using 89 (Doing to go to 87 next time) so maybe the high octane gas isn't igniting for some reason? I'm new to cars so I'm sorry about anything stupid I may have said.

Also when it's in neutral and the clutch isn't depressed, it sounds like a strange belt spinning. The throwout bearing was (Supposedly) replaced recently, and the transmission was replaced. This isn't related to the starting, but if anyone has any ideas, that would be appreciated as well. Thank you

I'm not exactly sure where the starter is on a NT but sometimes as starters start to go out they can be tapped and they work properly for a short time.

Also do a quick test for us. Go take your car somewhere flat and push the clutch to the floor, put it in 1st and with the clutch all the way to the floor rev it all the way up to 7,000 RPM. If it moves at all you have a problem with your clutch being adjusted improperly.

*edit* Shit I totally forgot to mention that octane is only useful for reducing knock. I doubt on a NA you would ever have any reason to run that high octane for fuel.

 

[rlacasse1]

Saying it will crank but not turn over is a little confusing. Cause they mean the same thing. Are you saying that it the starte will engage the flywheel and the engine just won't start? Or that you can turn the key and nothing happens? Or what?

It sounds to me like all the mechanic did was jump the starter by putting the screwdriver across the terminals on it.

And using 87 octane is not going to prevent your car from starting.

 

[Checkers]

Hey, sorry guys, what I meant by cranking and turning over is that, well first let me say that my car has a jury-rigged push button starter. There is a wire from my battery, to a button, then I would assume to the starter, but the key must be in the ignition and turned on. The previous owner did that and personally I like it, I just don't know how safe it it. Anyways, when I push the button, I will hear the engine start to spin, but I never get ignition, where is runs by itself.

As for holding the clutch down and revving it really high, I'm a little afraid to do that because I don't know how tough the engine it. One of the clutch tubes was bent and I had it replaced (The clutch barely worked at all before) and it's kind of hard to shift into first gear from neutral. Also, the clutch doesn't have as much pressure as it did before. I'm sorry if my writing isn't very coherent, I'm pretty tired, but below I'll sum everything up

Sometimes when I try to start the car, the engine will begin to move (Like when you first turn the key, but will continue to do that) but it won't ignite and run on it's own.

As for the clutch, when it is in neutral and the clutch is not depressed, I hear something spinning, and it is hard to shift from neutral to second. I haven't had any other problems yet, and my clutch doesn't seem to be slipping. In a little bit I plan on going to Subway and will keep an ear out. Fortunately my radio is not installed yet so I listen to every little detail. Thank yo for the help, and I'll be sure to provide more details as I find them