Radiator out, now it won't start. .........Doh!

[Prunus]

Text book radiator out, without a hitch.smile

Moved car about four feet and parked.

Went back ten minutes later to put it back in the garage and wouldn't start.

Fuel pump primes.
Turns over quite happily and fires but won't catch.

Fuel was low and I was working with the car pointing up a slope (to help to water run away!)thought maybe it was out of fuel due to the slope???

I stuck a can of fuel in it just in case tank was empty, but no change.

I'm baffled, went nowhere near anything other than the rad area.

Rather takes the shine off having saved a couple of hundred quid labour charge.

[FunkyNige]

Have you tried putting the radiator back in?

[Prunus]

Errrrrrr.

It's away being recored.

Car should run no problem without the radiator for half a minute or so

[GreenV8S]

Got a spark? Are the plugs wet? Do you hear the pump run on for a second or so after the engine dies?

[theaxe]

If you only moved 4 feet and the engine was cold it could be flooded...

Try it this morning, it may have dried out by now.

[Prunus]

Thank you Mr Axe, it would appear you were dead right.

Spent two days resisting the urge to cure non starting problem, waiting till new rad was back in. One thing at a time and all that.

Got rad back and put it back in, engine fired first time.


Ooops! Over two years of ownership and I've never flooded the engine once; but it would appear that's exactly what the problem was.

Feeling a bit sheepish, but very relieved after two days of worry.


What am I like? It's just a car.


It's worse than having kids........................