Car won't start after short drive.

ittakestwo

I drove last night about 18km. Then hour later i drove 1km to garage to get petrol. When i filled up car it would not start after. Lights came on and made a noise like it was about to turn over but didn't. The guy in garage tried to start it but then said i need to wait 30 mins for it to start. It did start after 30mins. What is the cause of this. Before yesterday had not used car since Saturday. Guy in garage English was not great so i did not ask him to explain. This happened before a few weeks ago where it did not start but a time after it did.

I replaced battery 2 years ago bit since then i have only done about 4k millage. The car is 03 fabia with just 23k miles on it

I read online that spark plugs could be the reason if car does not start after a short trip.Would anyone here have an idea of the most likely problem.

Thanks

spaceHopper

Honestly no clue but driving it that little can't be good for the battery. When was it last serviced? Oil can go funky of time so I'd get it serviced once a year and have them charge the battery as well.

magicbastarder

the engine might have been flooded, which is one reason waiting 30 mins could have solved it, would have allowed time for the petrol to evaporate.

ittakestwo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119299362#Comment_119299362

I think so. What needs to be fixed to stop the engine flooding? Is it new spark plugs?

ittakestwo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119299350#Comment_119299350

In 13 years of owning it i never serviced it. I treat the NCT as a serivice. I did change oil about 5 years ago. I try to spend as little on it as I can

magicbastarder

I treat the NCT as a serivice

that's a little like regarding being tested for cancer as being a treatment for cancer.

walshtipp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119299477#Comment_119299477

Oil and filter should be changed at least yearly. An oil change won't break the bank. The NCT is no replacement for proper maintenance, it is only a check that the car is roadworthy on the day it is tested.

John_Rambo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119299477#Comment_119299477

Is it a Japanese car? That's seriously good build quality to last that long with little or no maintenance.

magicbastarder

03 fabia mentioned in the first post.

gary550

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119299477#Comment_119299477

Jaysus that car has been better to you than you deserve!

An NCT is a roadworthiness test, nothing more. They literally do nothing to your car other than establish that it's roadworthy.

I don't know what sort of milage you are doing but 5 years between oil changes, no service and no filter changes is a bit ridiculous and not very good for your car!. I'd start there if I was you.

Sounds like it was flooded, sometimes if it was flooded the plugs may need to be changed too.

ittakestwo

Ok I will get it serviced. Hopefully it is just the spark plugs.

Dirty Nails

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058253333/car-wont-start-after-short-drive

You said yourself "made a noise like it was about to turn over but didn't" so I don't know how ye came to the conclusion that it was flooded.

Akrasia

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119299477#Comment_119299477

It could be anything so. Cars need fresh fluids more regularly than once every 5 years.

You could have a blown gasket that allows the car to start when the oil is cold and 'thicker' but won't start when the engine is warm.

Tge 4 things a car tend to need to start are Compression, Ignition Fuel and Air

There could also be engine management system problems, bad sensors. Timing issues that get worse with a warm engine....

ittakestwo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119301587#Comment_119301587

What happens when you try to start a flooded engine?

newmember2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119302008#Comment_119302008

it turns over and doesn't start

ittakestwo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119302060#Comment_119302060

Sorry I thought turnover was the engine starting. I should have said it makes a noise like the engine is about to start but doesn't

magicbastarder

If the engine is flooded, the starter motor is cranking the engine, and fuel is being injected into the cylinders, but it's not igniting. So in a sense, it's like the engine running but without the tiny explosions to sustain it.

spaceHopper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119301568#Comment_119301568

It sounds like a great car but cheaping out on servicing and not getting mechanic to look at problems will cost you a lot more in the end. I did it on my camper van and easy 100 euro fix turned into 2K repair.

Get it serviced every year and every so often charge the battery or take it for a longish drive. Sitting idle doesn't do it any good. Given its age the next service will be expensive. I'd expect you to need a full service, your tyres will need changing soon too. The timing belt will need to be changed based on its age. You do not want that breaking it will kill the car. When they do the timing belt they should also do the coolant pump, 50 to 80 euro part, driven by the timing belt so same labour to change later as a timing belt now and if it fails engine/car is dead. That should see you right for another 25K with an annual service.

John_Rambo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119301359#Comment_119301359

Thanks, didn't spot that. *Noted for the kids first car!

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119302063#Comment_119302063

"Turning over" is the electric starter motor turning the crankshaft and injecting fuel into the cylinders, which the spark plugs should ignite.

Ash.J.Williams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119299477#Comment_119299477

Jesus **** Christ man there’s your problem, the issue lies somewhere between the seat and the steering wheel

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119303444#Comment_119303444

I suppose 23k miles in nearly 20 years is the reason it's not serviced.

It's no excuse, but I can see why the OP wouldn't want to do yearly services.

The Continental Op

Timing belt or timing chain on those?

ittakestwo

Guys if you think I am bad my sister drives a 98 startlet. She got it in 07 with about 50k mileage and also never gets it serviced. She does similar mileage to me so has not gone up much maybe 70k on it now. she has never spent on the car bar tyres and battery and a light. She never gets is serviced and also treats the NCT as one. I wss just coping her who has got away with this method. The fabia is good but those starlets of the 90's are extremely durable. I have had to change suspension pads and get electric window fixed.

greasepalm

Thats what driving a car into the ground sounds like if no maintenance is done , a simple oil and filter means your car might last longer.

3 cylinder models were never the best with timing chain and valve guide issues on top of bad oil.

Did you get the codes read for any faults as a camshaft / crankshaft sensor can fail when hot and start when cold.

If it were a fuel pump hot or cold should have no bearing and turning key to on would hear pump prime.