Starting a car that's been stood for a while
Discussion
My 350z has been garaged for a about a year. I've just filled it with fuel, put a new battery in and turned it over. It almsot started the first time, then promptly died. Now it just kind of splutters, makes that horrible noise that cars that don't start make and there's a knocking noise coming from the engine.
What else am I going to need to sort out to get it started?
What else am I going to need to sort out to get it started?
A better description would be a start.
When you say it splutters, do you mean that the starter solenoid is chattering, or is it backfiring into the inlet manifold or something like that? Does it crank over ok? Do the dashboard lights go dim?
What does this knocking noise sound like - is it a 'ding', a 'clack' or a 'thud'? Does it make the noise once, once per engine revolution, or what?
When you say it splutters, do you mean that the starter solenoid is chattering, or is it backfiring into the inlet manifold or something like that? Does it crank over ok? Do the dashboard lights go dim?
What does this knocking noise sound like - is it a 'ding', a 'clack' or a 'thud'? Does it make the noise once, once per engine revolution, or what?
Eggman said:
A better description would be a start.
When you say it splutters, do you mean that the starter solenoid is chattering, or is it backfiring into the inlet manifold or something like that? Does it crank over ok? Do the dashboard lights go dim?
What does this knocking noise sound like - is it a 'ding', a 'clack' or a 'thud'? Does it make the noise once, once per engine revolution, or what?
Lol, I'm no mechanic, some of that went right over my head.When you say it splutters, do you mean that the starter solenoid is chattering, or is it backfiring into the inlet manifold or something like that? Does it crank over ok? Do the dashboard lights go dim?
What does this knocking noise sound like - is it a 'ding', a 'clack' or a 'thud'? Does it make the noise once, once per engine revolution, or what?
Everything illuminates correctly, nothing dims.
The knocking noise is like a thud thud thud, can only hear it sat inside, OH said she didn't hear it outside. Would it be easier to just go and record the sound?
ETA: Here we go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqqh9fbPRYc
Edited by Oakey on Thursday 2nd June 19:22
Maybe, but I suspect a wiser course of action may be to 'fetch a grown-up' at this point, particularly if the thudding noise sounds mechanical (e.g. like something striking something else).
If it's just the sound of it periodically firing on one cylinder then (even though it's not really best practice) my temptation would be to give it a whiff of Easy Start, possibly in combination with a jump start from a slave battery. However, to do that you would be best off removing the air filter and I suspect that might be something that you are not well equipped to do.
I would try to avoid cranking it over for ages if possible - doing so involves some risk of unburnt fuel washing the oil from the bores and possibly entering the cat, which doesn't do them much good. More likely is that you'll flood the engine; that won't make it any easier to start either.
ETA: Not sure why the link didn't work first time, but I don't think that knocking noise sounds like anything to worry about. Sounds like something running off the auxiliary belt to me; perhaps you've got a hydraulic brake servo or something like that. I'm not remotely familiar with the 350z so that could be rubbish!).
If it's just the sound of it periodically firing on one cylinder then (even though it's not really best practice) my temptation would be to give it a whiff of Easy Start, possibly in combination with a jump start from a slave battery. However, to do that you would be best off removing the air filter and I suspect that might be something that you are not well equipped to do.
I would try to avoid cranking it over for ages if possible - doing so involves some risk of unburnt fuel washing the oil from the bores and possibly entering the cat, which doesn't do them much good. More likely is that you'll flood the engine; that won't make it any easier to start either.
ETA: Not sure why the link didn't work first time, but I don't think that knocking noise sounds like anything to worry about. Sounds like something running off the auxiliary belt to me; perhaps you've got a hydraulic brake servo or something like that. I'm not remotely familiar with the 350z so that could be rubbish!).
Edited by Eggman on Thursday 2nd June 19:46
Sounds like it's turning over fine but there's no attempt to fire at all, so that means either no fuel or no spark (the air filter wouldn't be blocked completely, I wouldn't have thought).
If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say that disconnecting the battery has upset the ECU/Immobiliser?
If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say that disconnecting the battery has upset the ECU/Immobiliser?
I meant 'somebody who is a bit handy with cars' rather than specifically a mechanic, but anyway 
Can you hear the fuel pump running on those when you've got the ignition on? Could just be that the fuel rail isn't up to pressure because you're giving the starter short bursts. Alternatively, it could be that the old fuel has gone a bit gummy in the injectors but that would be somewhat disappointing after only a year. A whiff of Easy Start down the inlet manifold whilst cranking would diagnose that, but only a short squirt - don't go spraying it in there like you're trying to kill wasps or something!
Can you hear the fuel pump running on those when you've got the ignition on? Could just be that the fuel rail isn't up to pressure because you're giving the starter short bursts. Alternatively, it could be that the old fuel has gone a bit gummy in the injectors but that would be somewhat disappointing after only a year. A whiff of Easy Start down the inlet manifold whilst cranking would diagnose that, but only a short squirt - don't go spraying it in there like you're trying to kill wasps or something!
Yes, I think I can hear the fuel running.My OH's uncle is a mechanic with his own garage... unfortunately he's ill at the moment.
It did start initially. Turned the key, it roared up, then promptly died which also made me consider a fuel issue but I'm reluctant to keep trying it for obvious reasons.
It did start initially. Turned the key, it roared up, then promptly died which also made me consider a fuel issue but I'm reluctant to keep trying it for obvious reasons.
Oakey said:
Of course, what was I thinking asking for advice on an internet forum. If only there was somewhere I could go for car enthusiasts, some of which might actually be mechanically minded and have some suggestions, to ask for help instead.
Car enthusiast? Check! Love them and love driving, ideally fast too. Oh, mechanically minded you say? A'hm ooot!
skinley said:
Just watched the video, you are only giving very short bursts when trying to start it, why not hold the key in the 'starting' position for a bit longer?
I was worried I'd flood the engine if I kept trying it repeatedly. I'll give it a longer go next time (although I did give it a few longer goes originally).ETA: Just tried that, a few times it sounded like it would fire. I think maybe some more fuel in tomorrow and try again?
Edited by Oakey on Thursday 2nd June 21:01
Where in the country are you? I'm sure a friendly PHer would give you a hand in exchange for beer tokens.
From your youtube clip the car sounds like it's turning over OK, so my advice would be to remove a spark plug, connect it to a HT lead and place the lead on the block - you want to make sure the plug electrode is just touching the block or head etc.
Next, get someone to turn the engine over: you're looking for a spark 'jumping' from the plug to the metal surface it's resting on. If you've got a spark: this means the ignition system is (probably) OK. No spark: renew/check the leads and ignition components.
Note: DO NOT TOUCH the lead or plug whilst doing this!!
If you think about it this way it might be easier to understand - an engine needs 4 things to run: fuel, a spark, compression and air.
So, fuel is easy(ish) to check, as is a spark. Compression needs relatively specialist equipment and air, again, is easy enough to check.
If you're methodical and take it a step at a time you can solve 99% of non-starting problems... just take your time. The problem with modern cars with ECU controlled ignition etc. is that if you dick about with 'em too much you run the risk of damaging delicate components.
I'm not taking the piss, but if you're not sure what you're doing get a mechanic to have look at it... fair play to ya for having a go though.
Good luck mate.
From your youtube clip the car sounds like it's turning over OK, so my advice would be to remove a spark plug, connect it to a HT lead and place the lead on the block - you want to make sure the plug electrode is just touching the block or head etc.
Next, get someone to turn the engine over: you're looking for a spark 'jumping' from the plug to the metal surface it's resting on. If you've got a spark: this means the ignition system is (probably) OK. No spark: renew/check the leads and ignition components.
Note: DO NOT TOUCH the lead or plug whilst doing this!!
If you think about it this way it might be easier to understand - an engine needs 4 things to run: fuel, a spark, compression and air.
So, fuel is easy(ish) to check, as is a spark. Compression needs relatively specialist equipment and air, again, is easy enough to check.
If you're methodical and take it a step at a time you can solve 99% of non-starting problems... just take your time. The problem with modern cars with ECU controlled ignition etc. is that if you dick about with 'em too much you run the risk of damaging delicate components.
I'm not taking the piss, but if you're not sure what you're doing get a mechanic to have look at it... fair play to ya for having a go though.
Good luck mate.
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