420A Car won't start (2g 420A 2.0 RS)

[Tgarner]

So it's winter and it's been real cold with a ton of snow and now my car won't start, at first it started but was rumbling and now it's just whirring and won't start, anyone know where I can start looking for the problem? I have no experience, it was low on oil so I put a quart in

 

[jesse12345]

I'd start with making sure the battery is charged if you havent already. Quick easy checks first.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

A few things come to mind with such a vague description. A little more details would help, but here's some stuff to chew on.

Every mechanic knows that the winter is battery failure season. Weak batteries give up around freezing temps. Have that charged and tested first.

I'm thinking the rumble as you say could be a misfire, if it's an abnormal noise or feeling. Many issues could cause this. The whirring noise is also vague and has many possibilities. What comes to mind is either the starter spinning but not engaging, or the fuel pump priming - which only lasts for a second.

I wonder if it jumped timing and bent valves. The initial jump of one or two teeth would cause a severe misfire but still run (possible rumble noise/feeling). Jumping any further would smash valves causing compression loss, and the engine rotating with no compression could be a whirring noise I suppose.

Time for some diagnosis. Battery, starter, compression.

 

[bo0st2]

Have you tried charging up the battery with one of those battery chargers? I've saved hundreds by charging mine back to life