pabs92

hi i was driving my impreza wrx fairly quickly and as i was slowing down at traffic lights it cut out and then looked at my temp and was in the middle then after leaving my ignition on the temp went up too hot , when i opened the bonnet there was white smoke coming from around the turbo area but none from the exhaust and then the car wouldnt start again , hope you can help thanks, sorry if this has already been covered and if its in the wrong place im new to this .

pabs92

also i recently just bought the car and money is rather scarce at the moment will this be a real expensive fix ?

RedScoob

Could be something as simple as a pipe coming loose. Does the engine crank over when you turn the key?
I'd check the hoses to the turbo, then investigate into possible head gasket failure.

pabs92

hey thanks for the reply i was out at it there and checked oil etc to see if there was any evidence of mabye the head gasket going everything seemed fine and also put it in first gear and rolled the car foward to make sure the pistons werent seized inside it , there werent anyhoses loose as i could see ill go double check , its cranking over but doesnt sound like it wants to start and the starter sounds pretty weird , thanks

6VOLT

iTrader: (1)

Starter motor stuck on last time around and burnt out ?

RedScoob

You won't always see oil contamination when the head gasket goes. The best way is to analyse the gas at the expansion tank (any garage should be able to do this for you quickly and easily). To do this though, you have to get it started.
After you've checked all the hoses and coolant level, you might want to do a compression check to see if that gives you an idea why it won't start.

RedScoob

Good idea.

pabs92

about half an hour before this happened i tried starting it and it was struggling to start and battery was starting to die out then i put a battery pack on it and left it for 15 mins then it started first time im hoping its just the starter but would that explain the overheating ? ill get a mobile mechanic out to check it out thanks for your help

pabs92

how could i check if its the starter motor ?

6VOLT

iTrader: (1)

Remove intercooler for easier access on the passenger side of the bell housing you will see the starter. Remove it but leave it plugged in. Get some one to turn the car over. Look for any obvious signs of being screwed.

pabs92

hey sorry i havent been on this , the garage say its the bottom end but there has been no knocking from there , am i best / cheaper to get a new engine or get it rebuilt ? trying to keep everything to a minimuim , thanks

pabs92

however a different mechanic doesnt tnhink its the bottom end

Keithys

I would think unless it was a catastrophic failure it would still start my mr2 turbos bottom end went and it would still start but sounded like a bag of bolts id be inclined to get a second opinion sounds like headgasket to me but im not a mechanic

pabs92

i thought it would still start even if it was the headgasket ?

alphaj12

Timing belt maybe?

pabs92

not long had one and we took the timing belt cover off and it was still turning when i was cranking over

Keithys

It needs a compression test then just to rule that out aswell mate

pabs92

its been tested and it has compression , what bout seized turbo ? thats where all the smoke was coming from

pabs92

also the exhaust cats are still on could this be a problem ?

Keithys

A seized turbo shouldnt stop it from starting what were the compression readings across the 4 cylinders

pabs92

im sure the garage said it was between 170 - 190

Keithys

I would check the basics then mate fuel spark etc and work from there

jimmy gee

[ would get a decent mechanic to look at your car mate,one that can tell if the bottom end has gone or not,and one that can tell why it wont start.i would do this for you mate but iam too far away ..... rant over........

RedScoob

Definitely get a second opinion. You need to know why it won't start before you can consider getting a replacement engine.

Keithys

+1

pabs92

hey thanks i havent been on to reply , i got the car towed home and im geting a mobile mechanic to come have a look at it in the morning .

Keithys

Brill mate let us know what the outcome is

pabs92

how could i tell if its a jap import or uk ?

Keithys

Uk model will have mph speedo and headlight washers and no rear wiper import have kph speedo no headlight washer and the saloon has a rear wiper

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

Indicator stalk is on the left if jap import. Right if uk model.