Non Starter

[Anonymous]

Hello all, any thoughts ideas... Son & I recently got a 1.6 THP GT, 2010.... 60K Miles. Ran well for a few weeks then one morning refused to start.... Official dealer said "head gasket"... (?). Local specialist says "no compression"... Both opinions are unable at the moment to point at why it doesn't have compression or wont start. Battery went low voltage ( I understand) before the morning of non starting... Have heard suggestions of valve lifter failure ? - Thanks for any pointers, Pete :eusa-think: :helpme:

 

[RCZIain]

Exactly what happens.
Unlock, key in, turn, dash lights come on ..
Then?
Clicking? Nothing at all?

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[Anonymous]

Hi - yes, key opens, ignition lights on. Engine turns, no firing.... Seems to spin "fast" so the compression theory sounds a bit plausible. No signs of head gasket as the main dealer suggested. It's fuelled up, battery has enough volts to turn but just not sparking into life. It was for weeks, then one fine day - nothing. .. Main dealer and independent saying a "new cylinder head" or independent saying variable valve "lifter"... ( I have the messages via my son so apologies). I think it sounds either some electronic "glitch" as there was a low battery day before it wouldn't start. Or something has caused the loss of compression - but what I'm not sure and really appreciate your help / advice / thoughts / views. Cheers - TeddyB :thumbup:

 

[RCZIain]

Hmm yes, spinning over fast could mean no or low compression.
Not heard of that on here before (to my knowledge)

So it literally went pop? No signs or symptoms at all? No loss of coolant or steam from the exhaust? Over heating?
No excess oil usage or clattering sounds?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi, yes - exactly that... Son was driving it frequently and regularly - happy as anything :dance: . One fine morning tried to start as normal, but wouldn't... He thought it was flat battery, but it turned over - just not fired up like a RCZ does of a morning :eusa-think: . No juddery driving by him or shudders from the car when recently using it... Just a bit of a mystery of "Non Starter" hence coming to the experts.... Thanks again. :thumbup:

 

[RCZIain]

I think unfortunately unless something apparent pokes it's head up, it's a trip to a garage.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi again, many thanks - yes - we tried that Main dealer said "Head Gasket £4.5K", independent says "Low compression £1.5K", he advises buying a used engine as he is not certain of the cause of the low compression. Seems very strange just to stop overnight, maybe forum have other ideas - I'll wait and see … ( no typical head gasket symptoms), however was a very wet rainy period that might have contributed ? Many thanks for responses and advice :thumbup: TeddyB

 

[neilgsxr69]

I would have thought if it’s spinning over and it’s not firing then there’s either no spark or no fuel, why anyone would think head gasket is beyond me :crazy:
So for me electrical ( more than likely due to previous electrical fault) or HP fuel pump? :eusa-think:

Needs to be put on a diagnostic pointless just guessing really

 

[RCZIain]

I would assume spinning over and not firing would be something simple, but he says spinning over fast.
As in faster than it should.

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[2retro]

And there's no error message on the dash?

 

[neilgsxr69]

If no fuel we’re going in maybe it would spin up faster?

 

[Plecodoras]

Well I know fig all but in my opinion..

If the engine turns over then as Neil has pointed out - it usually is an ignition issue and that means spark or fuel, so pumps, coils and other items in the system could all be to blame.

But one thing that has been said by the op is that he had battery failure and that the battery has 12v, well the volts isn't the issue - a knackered battery can show 12v but have no current, it's the amps that matter. For me this is another area that needs checking and is quite simple too. Change the battery for a known fully working one and see if this makes any difference.

Secondly for my knowledge of figs - where does the garage get £4,500 pound for a head gasket ?

Just saying - might be crap but hey ho.

 

[DKZ5745]

I would certainly investigate the cheaper fixes before jumping into a new engine scenario :eusa-think:

I also would have expected some kind of error message. A £50 diagnostic by a main dealer should show what the exact fault is. You would get that back if they went on to do the repair. Even if you then went elsewhere if might be £50 well spent if it turns out to be a far more simple fix.

 

[RCZIain]

Or, now here's a real simple one.
It hasn't been bumped in to anything or had anything bump in to it?

I'm thinking fuel inertia cut off switch.


I suffix this by saying, I'm assuming Zs have one...

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[Anonymous]

Thanks all... great to see a lot of input for a newbie. I'm a engineer by trade, 38,000 BHP supertanker engines. :crazy: So what the main dealer says, ( via my offspring son - £ 4.5K CHG), or the independent ( no compression) doesn't add up IMHO ? :wtf: . Simple fix I feel is needed, so just searching for an answer via the forum. I reckon, and hence the question here, that it's a simple (ish) fix - no head gasket, no replacement engine, no gorilla tape. Thanks to all contributors, appreciated ! :thumbup:

 

[tianorth]

Has the immobiliser not disengaged?

Has a compression test been done?

Has a diagnostic test been done? Any codes?

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[Anonymous]

Hi Tianorth,

I'm not sure yet if the immobiliser has disengaged, how would you check for that, is it related to low battery ?

Compressions test has been done, the independent who did it simply said "its low"...
Main dealer did diagnostic check, they said that this indicated a enginge strip down .... (???).

I'm 300 miles away from the vehicle which me and son have between us, so getting some 3rd party messages unfortunately. Will be up there soon to take a look.

I'll research immobiliser "disengaging"...

Thanks !! :thumbup:

 

[tianorth]

It sounds like pressure tests is having low compression results.

My question would be on which cylinder(s)?

1 out of 4 would be low, possibly 2 of 4 if head gasket between cylinders has gone, but presumably not all 4.

I would test the pressures myself unless you trusted the mechanic.

Sounds like the immobiliser is a red herring (btw it's part of the alarm system)

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[drdino]

The immobilizer is software based (and is standard for irrespective of the presence of an alarm system).

Absolute values of the compression test are not really important, what's significant is relative values between the 4 cylinders.