1G Car wont crank.

[gusu]

So today on my way to work I noticed my car was running hot and smoking a bit from what seemed like the coolant lines from the throttle body, however they were NOT wet but the sound was actually coming from the intake-manifold area.

After driving home my car is running HOT but showing ZERO signs of being hot other than the coolant smell and the fact that I can hear it boiling. Another odd thing was it was only when I was off the gas that the temp went up and as I gave it more RPMs/throttle it would drop down more and more.

I did notice my clutch felt "sticky" I guess you could say, if I would lift my foot off the clutch it would hesitate before rising, this would be normal for a 2g since they have restrictors but 1gs do not so it is not a normal thing for it to hesitate like that. The other odd thing was even perfectly rev matching UP shifts it would still shift slightly hard.

My car was also idling perfect with no hesitation at all. The car also ran totally the same minus the shifting issue which I just went over.

So I went to start my car to get something to eat after leaving it off for 20-30 minutes at the most and when I tried it started and ran for about 5 seconds then turned off. I did this about 4-5 times and now I can hear the starter going and the fuel pump going but the car refuses to crank.

Any ideas?

 

[daplatano91]

Try to crank the car by hand from the crank and see if the timing gears move. If they do great, but if not your timing belt probably ripped teeth from by the crank. And also may have some bent valves from blindly cranking the car.

 

[gusu]

Try to crank the car by hand from the crank and see if the timing gears move. If they do great, but if not your timing belt probably ripped teeth from by the crank. And also may have some bent valves for blindly cranking the car.

I'll give it a shot, but I'd like to mention that I replaced the timing belt about 9500 miles ago with kevlar belts, new pulleys, and a new tensioner.

So if there are any other suggestions it might be. I've never heard of a timing belt cause over heating problems though. Could that possibly be a issue caused from one jumping?

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

Is the car not cranking or not starting?
I would start by doing a cooling system pressure test to see if you can find a leak and go from there.

 

[daplatano91]

I did this about 4-5 times and now I can hear the starter going and the fuel pump going but the car refuses to crank.

Car isn't cranking now that's why I said check the belt.

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

Can hear the starter, but it refuses to crank? So it's acting like the motor is locked up and the starter can't turn it? Or is the starter just spinning like the bendix isn't engaging the flywheel? I guess the op should verify that the motor will turn by hand and that the belt is still on.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Check belt, and check for fuel, compression and spark, three steps to a running engine if any of those arent present it wont start check belt, anyway you never know.

 

[gusu]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I figured it out, I guess I was expecting the worst and forgot to check the basics .

I pulled the radiator cap and it was DRY! There was zero coolant left and the coolant light never came on. I guess one of the hoses has a small leak in it somewhere so I threw some in hoping I'd be able to spot it.

Anyway, thanks for all the help. I thought I'd update instead of wasting your guys time. Plus now some newbs might know no coolant wont allow your car to crank after a few failed attempts.

I read online and found out that when you have zero coolant in most fuel injected cars the ECU will typically throw a CEL but NOT a low coolant light, well I never got either but they are to tell you whats up obviously. Apparently after too many attempts it will no longer allow you to crank your car until coolant is added.

Another interesting thing I read is that carbonated cars don't have a system like this which would make sense but it leads to vapor lock.

Just thought I'd share some info with other newbies.

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

Anyway, thanks for all the help. I thought I'd update instead of wasting your guys time. Plus now some newbs might know no coolant wont allow your car to crank after a few failed attempts.

I read online and found out that when you have zero coolant in most fuel injected cars the ECU will typically throw a CEL but NOT a low coolant light, well I never got either but they are to tell you whats up obviously. Apparently after too many attempts it will no longer allow you to crank your car until coolant is added.

Another interesting thing I read is that carbonated cars don't have a system like this which would make sense but it leads to vapor lock.

Just thought I'd share some info with other newbies.

That makes no sense at all. I have never heard of a car not cranking because it has no coolant.

And carbonated cars??? Newbies, plug your ears.

But, don't get me wrong.... I am happy you've found your problem and good luck in the future.

 

[daplatano91]

WTF Yeah why didnt I think of that the old no coolant start problem Glad you found you problem