Sickly Polo

[leowyatt]

Right thought I'd ask here before I crack on with replacing various bits.

Our 1999 1.4 Polo is currently not starting. The engine turns over but just doesn't get enough umph to get going. We can actually bump it and it starts but won't start when we stop again.

Possible problems have been ingition switch and temperature sender. Anyone think of anything else?

[Feek]

Starter not turning it over enough?

[mejinks]

Whats the voltage on the battery with the car not running and what is it when it is running. It could be the battery or could be the terminals of the battery need cleaning.

[kaiowas]

Is there a hole in it?

[leowyatt]

Starter not turning it over enough?

Possibly but the engine is turning over nicely it just doesn't quite get enough to start.

Whats the voltage on the battery with the car not running and what is it when it is running. It could be the battery or could be the terminals of the battery need cleaning.

Battery got changed just over 12 months ago and seems fine. We tried jumping it when it died and that made no difference

Is there a hole in it?

Cheeky barsteward ;D

[mejinks]

I think possibly you have a blown head gasket. Do you find yourself topping up the water a lot?

Have you tried cleaning the battery terminals?

[Justsomebloke]

Could be a number of things so i'll list them in the order i would do them. Sort of :p

Check battery terminals for corrosion, tightness, condition.
Check airfilter housing for a Summer winter setting thingy.
Check air filter, sling a new one in if dirty damp etc
Whip Plugs out & clean them.
If plugs are black then this will cause poor starting & is probably due to a buggered air filter or stuck auto choke.
If Auto choke (prob is) then WD40 the mechanism & check for full operation.
Check plug for spark by resting it on engine & getting someone to turn car over. Look for a Strong blue spark between the gap.
Check HD leads, Do this in the dark, charge battery in doors on charger, connect battery while still light, go back out when pitch black & get someone to turn it over, watch for blue sparks arking out the leads to an earth. Obviously if any arking change leads but be careful to fit in Exactly the same order as you take them off. Take one lead off at a time & put the new one on.
Also have you fuelled at a dodgey cheap petrol station last stop, could be crap fuel if you did. If in doubt rig up a plastic bottle to your fuel line & try starting it that way. If it starts drain & refuel.
To check head gasket, take of Oil filler cap & look for white sludge, or check exhaust smoke for whiteness.
Can't think of much more off hand but wish i was there as i love getting my handds dirty.
MMMMmmmmmmm Thinks about my lovely box of tools :cool:


Your car is a Petrol isn't it :undecided: + Bloody better be after writing all that ;D
If Derv then say so as different rules apply.

[leowyatt]

I think possibly you have a blown head gasket. Do you find yourself topping up the water a lot?

Have you tried cleaning the battery terminals?

Nope not toping up with water at all. It actually had the coolant pipes replaced around 6 months ago as they were leaking.

I will try cleaning the terminals tonight.


Could be a number of things so i'll list them in the order i would do them. Sort of :p

Check battery terminals for corrosion, tightness, condition.
Check airfilter housing for a Summer winter setting thingy.
Check air filter, sling a new one in if dirty damp etc
Whip Plugs out & clean them.
If plugs are black then this will cause poor starting & is probably due to a buggered air filter or stuck auto choke.
If Auto choke (prob is) then WD40 the mechanism & check for full operation.
Check plug for spark by resting it on engine & getting someone to turn car over. Look for a Strong blue spark between the gap.
Check HD leads, Do this in the dark, charge battery in doors on charger, connect battery while still light, go back out when pitch black & get someone to turn it over, watch for blue sparks arking out the leads to an earth. Obviously if any arking change leads but be careful to fit in Exactly the same order as you take them off. Take one lead off at a time & put the new one on.
Also have you fuelled at a dodgey cheap petrol station last stop, could be crap fuel if you did. If in doubt rig up a plastic bottle to your fuel line & try starting it that way. If it starts drain & refuel.
To check head gasket, take of Oil filler cap & look for white sludge, or check exhaust smoke for whiteness.
Can't think of much more off hand but wish i was there as i love getting my handds dirty.
MMMMmmmmmmm Thinks about my lovely box of tools :cool:


Your car is a Petrol isn't it :undecided: + Bloody better be after writing all that ;D
If Derv then say so as different rules apply.

There is no smoke with the exhaust and the oil filler cap is sludge free. Fuel wise it shouldn't be dodgy as it was at least 1/4 full when it cut out.

[leowyatt]

Well tried a new temp sensor for the coolant and that made sod all difference so my mate is coming round with his toolkit and we're working through it on Sunday.

[Lopez]

If it starts on a bump then I would put the following at the top of my "Suspects" list.

1) Ignition (specifically plug leads/rotor arm/plugs - particularly leads)
2) Fuel (Weak fuel pump or blockage in the fuel filter)

My money is on ignition.

[leowyatt]

Well we think it might be the coil so we're getting one of them from a scrappies for a tenner to try that. Then after that it'll be the ignition switch :(

[leowyatt]

Well after trying a spare ignition coil and spend many hours trying to figure and our holiday it was finally time for the mint to go see the doctor.

Current prognosis is the distributor needs replacing which should be completed tomorrow. We'll be around £150 worse off but will have 2 working cars again.

[Haly]

Hope it gets sorted at last :)

[Jonny69]

£150? OUCH!

Sometimes I'm glad I have points and a condensor!!!

[leowyatt]

haha well I'm sure they would be easier but the little thing does run when nothing goes wrong.