.... I checked the oil level and its below minimum. Could that be a cause?? Sorry I'm clueless!!

I'm no great mechanic myself, but the oil level isn't really going to stop it starting.
What did it sound like? Was it trying to turn over quick enough to start? Or just slowly turning over? Has it got enough fuel?

Might need a new battery. that's the first thing to get checked

New battery fitted yesterday.
The starter motor seems fine- the car was trying to start but I had the revv it for it to start properly?

would battery need to be charged at all? failing that maybe the alternator?

Originally posted by hotphil
I'm no great mechanic myself, but the oil level isn't really going to stop it starting.
What did it sound like? Was it trying to turn over quick enough to start? Or just slowly turning over? Has it got enough fuel?

LOL, how do you think the engine becomes lubricated and stops being seized? Running an engine with oil is a fast road to disaster and will almost certainly stop it starting.

What happened when you tried to start it? Did it turn over? If not you have probably seized the engine.

Hi Claire,

Low oil, if REALLY low, might cause the engine not to turn, but if it's that bad then it's a lost cause. :)

When a new battery is fitted, it may require you to charge it a little. I usually drive around for a while to let the engine charge the battery up. In winter batteries are slower to charge and also can be 'sluggish' in the mornings because the low temperature can slow down the chemical reactions on which car batteries rely.

Pop some oil in and after a while try turning the engine over again.

If it fired up after revving, then take the car for a drive and when you get back leave it an hour or so and see if it turns over OK then. When you're starting the engine, turn off the heater, radio, lights, etc. - they all drain current form the battery until the engine's running.

At the same time (an hour or so after coming home) check teh oil again and if appropriate top it up to bring the oil level within the minimum - although it's a good idea to check your manual for the exact requirements as it varies form engine to engine. Too much oil can also cause inefficient running.

Cheers,

Joe

So because my battery was new, it needed charging? Its starting fine now!! Its nothing serious is it?
It was fine yesterday driving to rotherham and back!
It's doing my head in as I've just bought the car!

you should always take someone with a bit of car knowledge with you when buying a car .even if its from a garage.. selling you a car with hardly any oil in isnt good practice either . if it was a private sale, they may not know much about cars and didnt know but, decided to sell it cos findiing out like you did it wont start up properly??? or if from a garage, you have the back up of trading standards to help you. top the oil up a.s.a.p youll be doing yourself a favour mechanically and legally if you need the trading standards:)

Originally posted by Claire28
New battery fitted yesterday.
The starter motor seems fine- the car was trying to start but I had the revv it for it to start properly?


Oops! I missed this post when I replied saying you had started it.

Make sure you have topped the oil up and check it regularly.

Low oil won't be the cause of the car not starting. It's more likely to be down to the electrics. They could be damp on some mornings causing the sparkplugs not to work properly.

It sounds to me like the car has been pooly maintained before you bought it. A good service would be money well spent. If the air filter hasnt been changed for a while, this could cause poor starting too.

You're more likely to have trouble if we get another particularly cold snap so I'd get it serviced asap. Make sure you have antifreeze in the cooling system as well.

Hope you get it sorted Claire.

Originally posted by Marky543
Low oil won't be the cause of the car not starting. It's more likely to be down to the electrics. They could be damp on some mornings causing the sparkplugs not to work properly.

It sounds to me like the car has been pooly maintained before you bought it. A good service would be money well spent. If the air filter hasnt been changed for a while, this could cause poor starting too.

You're more likely to have trouble if we get another particularly cold snap so I'd get it serviced asap. Make sure you have antifreeze in the cooling system as well.

Hope you get it sorted Claire.


Or... If the car has an automatic choke fitted, make sure you know how to set it.

I occasionally forget to do this some mornings, and the car is a little difficult;).

I just hope it doesnt happen again!

Glad to hear you don't need a new 710 Cap ?

:hihi:

Don't forget diesels they are buggers to start when cold but run geat the rest of the day. Its not diesel is it.;)

Originally posted by Bikertec
Don't forget diesels they are buggers to start when cold but run geat the rest of the day. Its not diesel is it.;)

unforunately not. I'm just so worried as I've just bought the car. I hope it'll prove reliable. Think it needs a service as it hasn't had one for just over a year.

A service is possibly your best bet, and get them to check it over so you can get it repaired while still under warranty.:thumbsup: