Am I right in thinking that you can bump start a car even if the battery is completely dead.
You don't need a small bit of current for it to fire do you??

 

Take a look at this link.
http://www.carbuyingtips.com/jumpstart.htm

 

The car is parked on a hill so I was planning to roll it down and bump start it (done many times before with a flat(ish) battery) but I was just wondering if that method works with a totally dead battery?

 

Yep that shouldn't be a prob. if the car is a good starter

 

Oh sorry mate, yeah your just using forward motion to get the engine turning instead. Just get it rolling (don't forget to turn the ignition ON) put it in 2nd or 3rd gear, keep the clutch in and get rolling. When it gets to a reasonable speed bump the clutch gently to get the engine spinning and push it back in immediately the engine starts.

 

Yeh thanks guys I know how to bump start but was just wondering whether the sparks would be generated mechanically by the movement of the engine when rolling or whether a bit of charge would be required from the battery to get it to spark.
Its a damn fine starter so I shall give it a whirl when I get home!

 

I thought this wasnt recommended, something to do with 16V cars?

 

Its not recommended with Cats due to unburnt fuel but if it starts quickly is not a problem

 

Welcome to your first ECU reset.

 

Sounds like a good excuse to decat to me

 

Stick to using jump leads.
Bump starting can damage the cats internals.

 

I was thinking that its perhaps more stressful on your cambelt by bumping, therefore if it snaps & piston meets valves goodnight!!

 

Scoob (turbo) bump starts quite easily. Must be the low compression ratio - which make the engine easier to turn

My mum did it on a very gentle downhill slope!

Just put it in 2nd and push away!

As a note I did jump start it off my standard 6amp battery charger, I just plugged it in, and left it on for 5mins, and cranked it with it connected and it caught after about 5 seconds, I would'nt recommend it though as it'll probably fry your charger or electrics (although mine still works).

 

Maybe I shoulda said that the car in question was my old beemer!
All sorted now, I found the jump leads

 

Just a little note (for those that are interested), if you do use jump leads, make sure the car stereos are turned off in both cars, otherwise they can be damaged.