RAV4 won't start - weird problem!

[legin]

Hope someone has an idea as I'm stumped with this one.
I tried to start my wife's '96 Rav4 auto last night (to go to hospital to see my daughter who'd just been admitted - yep never rains but it pours) when it fired a couple of times then stopped.
On trying to restart the starter motor was a higher pitch than normal, more like a weezy cough, and it wouldn't catch at all.
Had a look today and there is petrol and a spark and the starter is turning the engine and the cam belt is ok (I pulled back the cover and you could see it moving when cranked). I'll try and do a compression test tomorrow - any ideas what it should be?

Any ideas/suggestions also greatly appreciated... thanks

[Yugguy]

LOL. Give thanks for the oppportunity not to have to be seen in it.

[busta]

When you say there is petrol do you mean in the tank or at the injectors? Might be worth checking the pump is working if you havent checked for fuel at the injectors already.
Otherwise is sounds like you have indeed lost compression somewhere. Could be the headgasket gone.
Is the engine high milage?

Bernie

[paolow]

first guess was broken cam belt, but, if thats ok, its not unheard of for cars to 'jump teeth'. does that still happen?

[legin]

Thanks for the (2) useful suggestions.

I managed to get it going this afternoon. I think the problem was with contaminated petrol as I turned the engine over for about 30 seconds with the accelerator pedal down and it fired a couple of times. Repeating this I managed to get it running - just - and then after a minute of coughing and spluttering it cleared itself. I've used it since and it seems ok. Hope the cat didn't get knackered with the unburned fuel!

[busta]

If the cat did get knackered just bash all the guts out of it and refit it. It'll release a few extra horses and save you the expense of a new one Not much chance of it getting noticed either.

Might be worth checking the fuel filter though, especially if the problem recurrs.

Bernie