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Cranks, But No Start.

Vik

By Vik,
in General Maintenance

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Vik Mentor

Vik

Posted
Posted

Hey guys,

So here's the run down.

Tuesday when the partner took her car (Daihatsu Charade 1996) out of the driveway i noticed a small puddle of Radiator coolant, I had filled it up 2 days prior and thought it might be from the filling up process or extra that had come through the reservoir.

Come wednesday night, partner drives home and tells me after dinner that the temp gauge on the Charade was on "H", I asked how far, she said the whole way.

I decided to go have a look at to my suprise, there was no coolant left in the radiator. Now to be fair, there was still about <500ml left in there when i dropped the coolant via the drain plug. Because the temp sensor requires coolant to be in there in order to have a reading it wasnt completely empty.

I proceeded to fill up the radiator with water temporarily (11pm at night).

I then moved to the oil, now, the oil was just below the full point when i checked it on Monday. Right now it was sitting below the low point clearly indicating that the engine had overheated and that it began to burn oil.

I proceeded to fill up the engine with oil till the dipstick read Full.

I then attempted to give the car a start to let the oil run and take another reading, and to my dismay the car would crank but not start.

I checked the fuel pump fuse, replaced the battery. With no luck.

When I turn the key, I dont think i can hear the fuel pump engaging. But i will need to double check that since there is a fair few things in the boot that will not allow me to hear it, or it is just inaudible.

I have a to do list tonight:

Check the spark plugs and test it using a jumper lead.

Test the spark plug leads.

Let the spark plugs out and let the engine "air out" to eliminate the possibility of me flooding the engine.

OR

Take all the plugs out and give it a little crank and let the excess fuel, if any, spurt out.

Spray some Starting Fluid into the throttle and give it a start to see if that works. If it does then something to do with the fuel.

Is there anything else someone can please recommend?

Car Specs

1996 Daihatsu Charade G203 (Auto) (EFI)

Bought the car only a month ago so my partner can have a little run around (new license holder)

Previous owner claimed it had been serviced 3 weeks ago, which i highly doubt now. Shouldn't have been lazy and done the service the first day i picked up the car.

Any help would be appreciated guys.

Cheers,

Vik

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Carbon 34 Grand Master

Carbon 34

Posted
Posted

Hey guys,

So here's the run down.

Tuesday when the partner took her car (Daihatsu Charade 1996) out of the driveway i noticed a small puddle of Radiator coolant, I had filled it up 2 days prior and thought it might be from the filling up process or extra that had come through the reservoir.

Come wednesday night, partner drives home and tells me after dinner that the temp gauge on the Charade was on "H", I asked how far, she said the whole way.

I decided to go have a look at to my suprise, there was no coolant left in the radiator. Now to be fair, there was still about <500ml left in there when i dropped the coolant via the drain plug. Because the temp sensor requires coolant to be in there in order to have a reading it wasnt completely empty.

I proceeded to fill up the radiator with water temporarily (11pm at night).

I then moved to the oil, now, the oil was just below the full point when i checked it on Monday. Right now it was sitting below the low point clearly indicating that the engine had overheated and that it began to burn oil.

I proceeded to fill up the engine with oil till the dipstick read Full.

I then attempted to give the car a start to let the oil run and take another reading, and to my dismay the car would crank but not start.

I checked the fuel pump fuse, replaced the battery. With no luck.

When I turn the key, I dont think i can hear the fuel pump engaging. But i will need to double check that since there is a fair few things in the boot that will not allow me to hear it, or it is just inaudible.

I have a to do list tonight:

Check the spark plugs and test it using a jumper lead.

Test the spark plug leads.

Let the spark plugs out and let the engine "air out" to eliminate the possibility of me flooding the engine.

OR

Take all the plugs out and give it a little crank and let the excess fuel, if any, spurt out.

Spray some Starting Fluid into the throttle and give it a start to see if that works. If it does then something to do with the fuel.

Is there anything else someone can please recommend?

Car Specs

1996 Daihatsu Charade G203 (Auto) (EFI)

Bought the car only a month ago so my partner can have a little run around (new license holder)

Previous owner claimed it had been serviced 3 weeks ago, which i highly doubt now. Shouldn't have been lazy and done the service the first day i picked up the car.

Any help would be appreciated guys.

Cheers,

Vik

The normal checks

No spark

No fuel

No air

In this case more then likely a head gasket at the least , those cars are " disposable junk" sorry to be so frank but even new they sucked and dependability was suss lots of lemons

You know the engine cooked , might as well proceed to compression test it , but 99% sure its stuffed low oil and no water is fatal on alloy heads

Not all sensors need water to register if they get hot enough it still pegs the needle without water if its mounted on engine block and not in hose , the boiling vapor can max it out or metal parts

yank the plugs , do you know anyone with bore cam like stupid cheap sells ? Take a look inside the pistons , most likely scored the walls too or glazed the bores badly

Best of luck but my guess its dead if driven a while pegged ?

blind_elk Grand Master

blind_elk

Posted
Posted

Last time I blew a heater hose, I ended up warping the head (this was the RB20DET). I reckon your lady's car has done the same. A compression test should confirm - 2 & 3 will be very low compression.

Vik Mentor

Vik

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Well dad's coming over on Saturday and we will rip the head off and have a look. In the meantime, checked the sparks and leads all good. Sprayed some starter fluid in the intake and it turned over and started fine.

I have a feeling there might be a problem with the fuel pump because its caused problems before.

Might be just a coincidence.

Certainly hope so :(

Vik.

34GeeTeeTee Grand Master

34GeeTeeTee

Posted
Posted

Does it sound like it still has compression? If its EFI just pull the fuel line off and turn the key to see if the pump primes? (Its a bogan way to do it but it works, just aim the fuel line into a bucket or something lol)

Vik Mentor

Vik

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Im pretty sure the Fuel Pump has called it a day.

When i engage and put "the reds" on I can't hear it at all. Im actually gonna' slightly undo the fuel rail bolt and see if anything squirts out.

What's the best way to diagnose a possible warped head ?

Carbon 34 Grand Master

Carbon 34

Posted
Posted

Yeah agree if you had a fuel problem before sort that first clogged filter maybe simple ? Bad fuel ?

you may just be lucky as hell and it didn't die ? blown head is easy compression test, leak down or bubbles in coolant oil in coolant or in combustion chamber

Dont rip it down yet if it runs unless you hear horrible noises lol

Vik Mentor

Vik

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hey hows it goin' guys.

Well I got it started on the weekend (ghetto job, bypassed fuel pump using a cannister full of fuel and another fuel pump). It started perfectly fine with no hassles. Engine is fine, no damage to the head (thank god!)

The radiator leak is coming from the Water Pump which requires the engine to be dropped in order to access it. The Fuel Pump is in Tank and will need to be dropped as there is no access point under the seat.

Now, this is going to take over 4 hours to do on the weekend, considering just sending it to a garage, how much do you reckon labor charges would be if i supply the parts?

Cheers

Carbon 34 Grand Master

Carbon 34

Posted
Posted

Hey hows it goin' guys.

Well I got it started on the weekend (ghetto job, bypassed fuel pump using a cannister full of fuel and another fuel pump). It started perfectly fine with no hassles. Engine is fine, no damage to the head (thank god!)

The radiator leak is coming from the Water Pump which requires the engine to be dropped in order to access it. The Fuel Pump is in Tank and will need to be dropped as there is no access point under the seat.

Now, this is going to take over 4 hours to do on the weekend, considering just sending it to a garage, how much do you reckon labor charges would be if i supply the parts?

Cheers

More then the cars worth lol sorry

Labour rates vary but most at least 100 hr

front wheel drive is a hassle on repairs lol

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