Car won't start. Tips? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Temporary_User · 12-21-2008, 03:54 PM

Well I was planning on heading to Calgary tonight, but it seems like I'm stuck in Lethbridge.

I rarely drive my car, it has probably been about a week since it was last driven.
It's parked outside, as I live in a apartment building, and inside is not an option. I also do not have a block heater.

When I try to start it, it sounds like it is about to start, but just won't get over that final hump.
I heard that if I turn my lights on for a few minutes before starting it helps, so i tried that with no luck... (supposedly it warms the battery)

Any other tips or options I can try?

Edit: I should mention the car is getting older, it's a '96 audi a4.
The battery I thought was pretty good, it always would start the few times i've needed it to in the cold.

GreenTeaFrapp · 12-21-2008, 03:58 PM

Kick it.

That's what I do when something doesn't work. Not too hard though. You don't want to break it or, if dealing with employees, leave marks.

stang · 12-21-2008, 03:58 PM

Boost it?

Or a magnetic pan heater from Canadian tire?

flames4cup22 · 12-21-2008, 04:00 PM

Go to walmart and buy one of those steamers...a cheap one usually costs 9 bucks and put water in it...let it boil while under your car ( right under the hood)

I did this last year and it worked fine my Mazda mx6 turned on after a few tries ( this was the -45 days we had last year

stang · 12-21-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flames4cup22

Go to walmart and buy one of those steamers...a cheap one usually costs 9 bucks and put water in it...let it boil while under your car ( right under the hood)

I did this last year and it worked fine my Mazda mx6 turned on after a few tries ( this was the -45 days we had last year

post pics of what you mean?

This seems like a good idea... as long as you let your car run for a while after... dont want the steam to turn you engine into an ICE block

haha

JiriHrdina · 12-21-2008, 04:04 PM

Open the hood and take two steps back. If you have a beard scratch it. Then reach it and jiggle something. Then take two steps back again. Shut the hood.

That's about the extent of my car fixin' skills.

stang · 12-21-2008, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Open the hood and take two steps back. If you have a beard scratch it. Then reach it and jiggle something. Then take two steps back again. Shut the hood.

That's about the extent of my car fixin' skills.

You...have... a..... beard..?

flames4cup22 · 12-21-2008, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stang

post pics of what you mean?

This seems like a good idea... as long as you let your car run for a while after... dont want the steam to turn you engine into an ICE block

haha

lol i'm not too ggod with posting pics but it's one of those electric steamers...all u do is put water in it plug it in and it will boil and start defrosting your car from underneath after about a hour.. refill if needed

Mean Mr. Mustard · 12-21-2008, 04:09 PM

You could boost it but it isn't the best thing for your engine, just due to the fact that you will have very cold oil in your car, but as long as you let it warm up properly you shouldn't have any long term issues, plus if it is a 96 long term issues likely aren't the biggest concern on your mind.

I wouldn't use anything that involves steam or water being exposed to the engine, it will freeze and you will be taking a bus until a chinook hits.

JiriHrdina · 12-21-2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stang

You...have... a..... beard..?

No but if I did I would scratch it when looking at the inside of my car. It's almost reason enough to get a beard. Except I fear I would look like that guy from "Chuck".

BlackArcher101 · 12-21-2008, 04:11 PM

Sounds like you have a combination of thick oil and weak battery. The oil thing you can't do much unless you get an electric pan heater. Failing that, you can try to improve the battery power a bit:

- Buy a battery warming blanket and wrap the battery
- Bring the battery indoors to warm it
- Buy a new battery

I wouldn't boost in case the battery is actually partially frozen. I fail to see how boiling water underneath the engine actually works. At these temperatures the cooling rate will be greater than the heating rate the steam will give you, not to mention the freezing condensation. It will take a loooonnnng looonnng time and a ton of steam in order to get your oil heated enough.

Locke · 12-21-2008, 04:13 PM

You might also want to pour some gas-line anti freeze in the tank. It doesnt always work, but sometimes its getting spark but not fuel.

Dion · 12-21-2008, 04:32 PM

Extreme cold makes the engine oil thicker which makes it harder for the starter to turn the engine over (slow cranking).

flip · 12-21-2008, 05:23 PM

I've heard that putting about 1-2 cups of sugar in your gas tank will help prevent your gas line from freezing and keep you car starting through any temperature, no matter how cold.

Try it, tell me if it works.

Nancy · 12-21-2008, 05:56 PM

EDIT: I should learn to read.

Dion · 12-21-2008, 06:02 PM

Another suggestion is have it towed to garage where they can thaw it out and install a block heater at the same time. Plus check the battery.

pope04 · 12-21-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flip

I've heard that putting about 1-2 cups of sugar in your gas tank will help prevent your gas line from freezing and keep you car starting through any temperature, no matter how cold.

Try it, tell me if it works.

That's what you tell someone with a '76 vehicle, not a '96.

pope04 · 12-21-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stang

Or a magnetic pan heater from Canadian tire?

Princess Auto carries 'em, too. As well, you used to be able to pick up a "dipstick" heater that you could slide in, well, where the dipstick goes.

I don't recommend this manoeuvre, but I once got a car going when it was -40ish by starting a single-burner Coleman stove (naptha, because propane won't flow at those temps) and sliding it under the pan. Ahh, to be young and foolish.

tkflames · 12-21-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pope04

Princess Auto carries 'em, too. As well, you used to be able to pick up a "dipstick" heater that you could slide in, well, where the dipstick goes.

I don't recommend this manoeuvre, but I once got a car going when it was -40ish by starting a single-burner Coleman stove (naptha, because propane won't flow at those temps) and sliding it under the pan. Ahh, to be young and foolish.

Did you see the dipstick...they showed you the dipstick...

pope04 · 12-21-2008, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dion

Another suggestion is have it towed to garage where they can thaw it out and install a block heater at the same time. Plus check the battery.

I had a vehicle I'm too embarrassed to admit I owned (okay, it was a '79 AMC Spirit with a liquid-cooled VW engine IIRC) and it was very expensive to install a block heater - I think the engine had to be pulled - so I had them install an in-line heater that'd warm the coolant. It wasn't quite as effective as a block heater, but if I moved the heater controls to defrost, my windows were clear in the morning!