can't start
18 November 2004, 10:49 AM
#1
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can't start
Hi,
I am trying to help my cousin who is busy with uni and trips to the hospital on getting a car running, his mum had a serious car accident in which she is well on her way to recovery but still bed bound, now that the car is written off with limited funds they have another car which is a rover metro, being that it's been left there for about 2-3 years not really started often, it doesn't start and i wish to help them, would you have any suggestions on fixing it or would it not be feasible, was on low mileage but don't think that matters now.
What problems would you get after leaving the car to stand out there for that long? Would it be a hard jobb to do?
Many thanks for taking your time on reading this.
I am trying to help my cousin who is busy with uni and trips to the hospital on getting a car running, his mum had a serious car accident in which she is well on her way to recovery but still bed bound, now that the car is written off with limited funds they have another car which is a rover metro, being that it's been left there for about 2-3 years not really started often, it doesn't start and i wish to help them, would you have any suggestions on fixing it or would it not be feasible, was on low mileage but don't think that matters now.
What problems would you get after leaving the car to stand out there for that long? Would it be a hard jobb to do?
Many thanks for taking your time on reading this.
18 November 2004, 11:49 AM
#2
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About 60 views so far and no replies - shame on you!
It depends very much on where it's been kept and how often "not really started often" means.
If you want some help on this you need to give us some more information - you say it won't start, does this means it turns over on the starter and won't fire, or there's a click but no starter motor action, or you turn the key and nothing happens at all?
If it's turning over but not firing there are some pretty simple tests you can do to check whether fuel and spark are OK, if you have a compression tester or a mate that has you can also check on the internal integrity of the engine.
If there's a click but no turning over, it could be that the starter is not getting power or is seized.
If there is nothing at all happening when you turn the key (no lights etc, or headlights very dim) then first thing to do is get a new battery and try again (after 3 years disuse it's almost not worth trying to charge it!)
In any instance I would drain and refill the oil/filter, coolant and brake fluid and maybe reverse flush the radiator (the k-series engines don't like being boiled AT ALL!)
The brakes are likely to be in bad condition, and seized at the rear if the handbrake has left on, so even if you do get it started be very careful taking it for a test drive especially if you're uninsured.
Without wanting to be the voice of doom, I'd say rust and residual value are likely to be your biggest problems - even the above work is going to cost you 200 quid minimum if you can't do it yourself, and that's assuming there are no other probs. If the body is rotting, then you'll be looking at way bigger bills in the future.
Post some comprehensive info and we can be more specific...
cheers
ian
It depends very much on where it's been kept and how often "not really started often" means.
If you want some help on this you need to give us some more information - you say it won't start, does this means it turns over on the starter and won't fire, or there's a click but no starter motor action, or you turn the key and nothing happens at all?
If it's turning over but not firing there are some pretty simple tests you can do to check whether fuel and spark are OK, if you have a compression tester or a mate that has you can also check on the internal integrity of the engine.
If there's a click but no turning over, it could be that the starter is not getting power or is seized.
If there is nothing at all happening when you turn the key (no lights etc, or headlights very dim) then first thing to do is get a new battery and try again (after 3 years disuse it's almost not worth trying to charge it!)
In any instance I would drain and refill the oil/filter, coolant and brake fluid and maybe reverse flush the radiator (the k-series engines don't like being boiled AT ALL!)
The brakes are likely to be in bad condition, and seized at the rear if the handbrake has left on, so even if you do get it started be very careful taking it for a test drive especially if you're uninsured.
Without wanting to be the voice of doom, I'd say rust and residual value are likely to be your biggest problems - even the above work is going to cost you 200 quid minimum if you can't do it yourself, and that's assuming there are no other probs. If the body is rotting, then you'll be looking at way bigger bills in the future.
Post some comprehensive info and we can be more specific...
cheers
ian
Last edited by IanWatson; 18 November 2004 at 11:52 AM.
18 November 2004, 12:58 PM
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The other option is to forget about the metro and buy something else. If you look hard enough you can find a decent running car with tax & mot for less the £400. See what it is going to cost to do the metro and weigh that up against buying something else.
18 November 2004, 01:03 PM
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First thing you need to ask is why was the metro laid up in the first place - MOT failure?
There must be a reason why they stopped using it.
What year is the metro?
There must be a reason why they stopped using it.
What year is the metro?
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