car wont start.....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: macon, ga
car wont start.....
i drove some errends to day and the car was running fine, but when i got home i thought i would adjust my valves since they were making a little noise and i cant leave well enough alone. i removed the valve cover turned the car on and started to adjust the back drivers side exhaust valve and the car died. i have not been able to get it started yet. not even an attempted start. i thought maybe it wasnt getting enough fuel so i pumped it a few times and still no luck. then i thought since it was sitting on a pretty good slope maybe it had flooded itself so i left it alone for a few hours and tried again with no luck. i then tried spraying starter fluid but it still would not even attempt to start. any ideas or tips? how can i tell if i am getting a spark with out shocking my self? could it be the distributor? i did feel that the coil was warm after my repeated attempts at starting.. i dont know if that will help... thanks for any advice..
where is my sig. picture??????
[Modified by ykp53, 9:47 PM 5/30/2003] :confused:
[Modified by ykp53, 9:47 PM 5/30/2003]
where is my sig. picture??????
[Modified by ykp53, 9:47 PM 5/30/2003] :confused:
[Modified by ykp53, 9:47 PM 5/30/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 14
From: CA
Re: car wont start..... (ykp53)
You can get one of those special spark plugs with the clip on it from Sears. I keep mine in the car in case I have engine troubles.
How far did you get on the valve adjustment before it died? I'm assuming that you had it idling and you adjusted 1 valve and it died?
How far did you get on the valve adjustment before it died? I'm assuming that you had it idling and you adjusted 1 valve and it died?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: macon, ga
Re: car wont start..... (71coupe)
i losened the first one and was in the process of tightning it back down when it died. but yes it was running fine before, i did get it pretty hot if that matters(+230).
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
Re: car wont start..... (ykp53)
To check for spark I use the old Bubba method. Pull a spark plug wire and put a phillips head screw driver into the boot. Hold the screwdriver very near something metal, like a valve cover and crank the car. You should see a spark jump between the screwdriver and the valve cover or similar ground. (Keep your hands off the shaft of the screwdriver.)
If you don't have a helper, you should be able to lean the screwdriver against something in the engine compartment and watch for a spark when you crank the car. If you are brave and want to know for sure whether you have spark, hold the screwdriver shaft and crank it over- this is the method Bubba prefers. :D
If you don't have a helper, you should be able to lean the screwdriver against something in the engine compartment and watch for a spark when you crank the car. If you are brave and want to know for sure whether you have spark, hold the screwdriver shaft and crank it over- this is the method Bubba prefers. :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 14
From: CA
Re: car wont start..... (ykp53)
Dude - do yourself a favor, get a spark tester for $5.00. See photo:
You can put it on the end of the longest plug wire & clamp it to a ground in a position to see it while you crank over the motor.
You can get one of these at any parts store. I guess you could try to use a timing light, but I like to see and actual spark. It may be hard to judge the strength of the spark thru a timing light.
You can put it on the end of the longest plug wire & clamp it to a ground in a position to see it while you crank over the motor.
You can get one of these at any parts store. I guess you could try to use a timing light, but I like to see and actual spark. It may be hard to judge the strength of the spark thru a timing light.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: car wont start..... (71coupe)
Dude - do yourself a favor, get a spark tester for $5.00. See photo:
You can put it on the end of the longest plug wire & clamp it to a ground in a position to see it while you crank over the motor.
You can get one of these at any parts store. I guess you could try to use a timing light, but I like to see and actual spark. It may be hard to judge the strength of the spark thru a timing light.
You can put it on the end of the longest plug wire & clamp it to a ground in a position to see it while you crank over the motor.
You can get one of these at any parts store. I guess you could try to use a timing light, but I like to see and actual spark. It may be hard to judge the strength of the spark thru a timing light.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 3
From: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
Re: car wont start..... (ykp53)
Check to make sure you didn't knock a wire loose around the dist. Check coil wire and all wires that provide power to coil.
Or the ground strap. Mine connects to the right side valve cover bolt. I had to reconnect it while I was adjusting my valves. Without it connected my car would not fire whatsoever.
Or the ground strap. Mine connects to the right side valve cover bolt. I had to reconnect it while I was adjusting my valves. Without it connected my car would not fire whatsoever.