Please help. My car won't start unless I bump start it.

[bcarroll]

I have a 97 eclipse GST with the 2.0 turbo and manual tranny. I was out driving aggressively one day and blew the head gasket. So I brought the car home and changed the head gasket myself and now I am having a hard time starting the car. It seems like it wants to start but usually doesnt when using the starter. If I push the car then put it in gear and pop the clutch it will start right up. I also have a problem with it idling, somtimes it will, sometimes it won't. After the car is running it runs fine. It pulls strong. There are no check engine lights and no trouble codes show on the scanner.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Deepnine]

Do you hear the starter moving?

 

[Afroclipse]

check for boost leak, replace starter, plugs and wires.

 

[bluetlr2001]

You dont have to replace your starter if you can hear it trying you can get it tested. But did you make sure you got the timing is set right?

 

[soulweaver]

Sounds like you forgot to hook up a ground wire when you put your motor back together.

 

[bcarroll]

Yes the starter is moveing. The engine is turning over. The timing is right on. Triple checked. I cannot find any loose or disconnected wiring.

Could it be the MAF sensor?

 

[GSXSixteenG]

What is the idle like when it is running? I would guess something along the line of the ignition that is wrong or starting to crap out.

 

[GsXdSmKingGsX]

It definantly could be

 

[bcarroll]

Somtimes it will idle, but most of the time it will just stall when you pull up to a stop sign or something.
What could it be with the ignition? The coil?

 

[bcarroll]

I took all the spark plugs out and laid them on the valve cover and rolled the engine over with the starter and they looked like they getting good spark. The plugs were also wet?

 

[91dsmgsx]

The plugs were wet? could you be more specific.... did they smell like gas? was it water? oil? anit-freeze? Also it sounds more electrical than mechanical, double check all fuses, relays, and connections. i know that the valve cover spark test can work but i would reccemend getting your hands on a spark tester there much more accurate and can be purchased at your local auto parts store.

 

[GSXSixteenG]

Is your bov vented? If so, then that would give you trouble at idle.

Causing your plugs to be soaked in gas due to running rich.

 

[bcarroll]

The plugs were wet with gas. The blow off valve may have someting to do with it. The car had an after market BOV on it when I got the car. Its a big aluminum unit that I believe vents back into the intake pipe and has a vacuum line running to the plenum on the manifold.

 

[No_Skillz]

The BOV won't cause the spark plugs to be wet with gas. Also, from your description, the BOV is recirculated properly. Gas on plugs signify that combustion is not occurring. Do a compression test. And a BLT.

 

[bcarroll]

Whats a BLT

 

[soulweaver]

bacon, lettuce, and tomato i really don't know but I couldn't let that one slip away from me

 

[iluvmy4g63]

hears one to look for. there is a plastic grommet on your clutch lever arm... it pushes in the safety switch so the car starts......... i messed with a buddys lazer for five hours... with same problem. and it ended up being the lil grommet. hope it helps.

 

[No_Skillz]

BLT = Boost Leak Test.

 

[bcarroll]

Thanks for the help guys. I borrowed a buddies compression tester and it looks like I hurt the motor more than I thought. Compression ranged from 95 to 125.

 

[bcarroll]

Resolved.......The valves were lealing so bad I did not have enough compression to start it. I put a rebuilt head from ebay on the car and its starting fine now. Thanks for the advice.
Bob