I don't ****** beleive this!

[aldi]

One or two of you may know that I've been quite busy recently car-wise :www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=239138&f=141&h=0

Well tonight takes the biscuit. I drove home in my Primera GT, parked on the slope of the drive cause that bloody megane's on the flat bit. My handbrake isn't wonderful so I usually leave it in reverse as well. As I was getting out I felt the car take up the slack on the handbrake, then start to bump the engine over and make a clicking sound. Oh dear I thought, I've just turned the engine over the wrong way. I'd better start it and make sure it sounds OK. Except now it won't start cause it's complately shagged. Sounds like theres no compression in one cylinder and low compression in the others.

You've got to laugh, haven't you?

I'm off ourside again now, to do.... well I'm not sure really I might just jump in front of traffic for a while. I can't fecking beleive it.

[alextgreen]

If you don't smoke, now would be a good time to start!

My day, although a bit poo, doesn't compare. Only managed to cost myself a new tyre.

[groomi]

Did it roll backwards? If so, then leaving it in reverse will have turned the engine the correct way?

[alextgreen]

From the description I assume it was facing downhill.

[Kentish]

Sounds to me like the starter has jammed (this being partially engaged).

No big deal, just rock the car with a couple of mates to unjam it.

[speedychrissie]

are you sure its shagged? when going offroading last year one of our party (female) stalled at the top of a very steep hill and let the car roll backwards while in 1st gear. it made a strange noise while it was doing it but it was absolutely fine afterwards.

[alextgreen]

Good point; would very likely explain the click.

[Kentish]

Looks very likely I'd say.

Had the same trouble myself in the past.

[Mr Whippy]

If it cranks one way without damage, it'll crank the other, especially if no fuel is injected etc.

Don't worry about that, probably starter like someone said.

Dave

[docevi1]

Hmm, if running backwards is bad, I must have done so much damage in the 2.5 years I owned the marlin - it would regulary "diesel" when switching off (running backwards).

As suggested, rock the car whilst in gear to disengage the starter motor - the Marlin used to do that as well (made a solenoid click as well).

[Fortjefferson]

aldi said:

Sounds like theres no compression in one cylinder and low compression in the others.

You're cam belt just broke.

[greenv8s]

Agreed, no reason for nudging the engine over forwards or backwards to cause any damage. More likely if you've parked it on a steep slope you've just got fuel surge.

[ps2gamer890]

Front looks like a LADA/Fiesta and the back looks like a Triumph TR7

[speedychrissie]

ps2gamer890 said:

Front looks like a LADA/Fiesta and the back looks like a Triumph TR7

i think maybe you might have posted that on the wrong thread.
just a thought!

[m1spw]

Still, it only cost you £400...

[BliarOut]

And to think I sold one of those yesterday for £750

[ps2gamer890]

speedychrissie said:

ps2gamer890 said: Front looks like a LADA/Fiesta and the back looks like a Triumph TR7 i think maybe you might have posted that on the wrong thread. just a thought!

Just lookin at the car from the link

[aldi]

So the starter might be stuck? how would I check this, the engine doesnt seem to fire at all, just turns over faster than normal and missing a beat, and gives a loud thump every now and then. I kind of stopped trying it after I heard the first couple of thumps. It's an SR20 engine with a chain rather than a belt, I'm wondering how the tensioner and pulleys would react to loads of slack from turning over thw wrong way... need to check the book and have a think. I'l whip the cam cover off tomorrow night and shouud be able to see a bit of the chain from there. With any luck the timing has jumped a tooth or three, hopefully not enough to bend anything

[wedg1e]

Fortjefferson said:

aldi said: Sounds like theres no compression in one cylinder and low compression in the others. You're cam belt just broke.

I was thinking maybe if he parked the car in reverse but it rolled forward, the engine would wind backwards and the cam belt could have jumped a tooth or two.

Edit: Doh! Now I'll read the rest of the thread, shall I?

>> Edited by wedg1e on Tuesday 31st January 23:20

[aldi]

Just went outside and gave it a good rock forward + back, still no joy. I could see the engine torquing over and felt resistance from it. Having looked at the book too I'm coming round to the starter idea, I don't see how the chain can do anything but just turn the wrong way and be fine. Anyway the battery's off and on trickle charge, and tomorrow night I'm going to attack the starter before the cam cover.

Here's praying for a dicky starter!