Trouble starting car

[karenmac60]

I've not been using my car much lately, but on the few times I have it won't start. It's turning over but the engine won't fire up, although I've been able to start it eventually by popping the clutch. I know it is probably the battery, but everything else is ok - lights, radio, wipers etc. When I've had an almost flat battery before the lights have been weak. I also took it out for a long run a couple of nights ago so I would've thought that would have charged it. I've been looking online and found stuff about dodgy sparkplugs causing the car not to start. Given that the car is less than 2 years old and was serviced 10 months ago, how likely is it that it's the sparkplugs? I don't know too much about mechanics, but I'd rather find out the cause and try and sort it myself before shelling out any money. Also, it has been doing this intermittently for a few months when I was using it every day.

[scotman]

Do you know how old the battery is? Do you have a reliable garage or know a mechanic who might be able to test the battery for you?

[DTCwordfan]

what fuel have you been using, what brand as well, Karen?

[karenmac60]

The car was brand new in July 2009, so the battery will be the same age. It's under warranty and I've been dealing solely with the dealership - but it's ruddy miles away, and I have a feeling if I had to pay for anything it would be top dollar I'd be paying.
DT, I use unleaded but I have no idea of the brand - it is always the same kind from the local filling station, but now that I think about it I have no idea what brand they sell! :)

[karenmac60]

Found it online (and answered on the wrong thread). Esso.

[scotman]

Do you know anyone whose car has similar sized battery that you could swap for a quick test?

[DTCwordfan]

If you are not seeing any impact on especially the headlights as to a diminshment of power, my suspicion is the fuel - if you had come back to me with Shell or Chevron, then I would have immediately gone for battery........with lesser quality fuels, there is a proven risk of a bigger soot build up around the points and plugs and within that statement, I am including some major brands without naming them here.

I think that you have a soot build up around your plugs, or a set of dodgy cheap plugs (what make is the car?)

The original equipment manufacturers (OEMs in the trade) are not amiss to using shoudl I say less durable equipment like tyres etc etc.

[DTCwordfan]

Put it this way, Karen, I need say no more.

[karenmac60]

I've just had a look under the bonnet and there is no build up of anything at all - it's cleaner than my house! The car is a Hyundai i10 DT.

[karenmac60]

Sorry - Scotman, no unfortunately. Looks like I'm going to just have to take it in somewhere when I've got some money and struggle with it in the meantime :( Thanks to both of you.

[scotman]

Karen

The build up on the plugs is on the inside. You have to take them out to check.

[karenmac60]

I would if I had the foggiest idea where they were scotman ;)

[karenmac60]

There's only 2,000 miles on the clock if that's important at all...

[DTCwordfan]

Thanks Scotsman, Karen, we are not talking how clean you keep the outside of the engine - my sis once took a hose pipe to hers as "it looked dirty" and flooded the distributor points - just as she was going out later for a major birthday party/or was it an engagement - well it doesn't matter...............

[karenmac60]

I don't clean the engine DT - I have never looked under the bonnet till today and I expected it to be quite greasy. I was amazed it's not is all :)

[DTCwordfan]

Crud in shitey fuel can build up extremely quickly - you would be amazed at the crap I have seen in engines from very low mileage and why I only use Shell and Chevron.....they over treat their detergents and its worth the extra p or two at the pump and, by the way, it refelcts in the mileage. In the US, they are prepared to advertise on this now, so far in the EU, not yet. It's only the lawyers putting the threats and skids on - in the US the claim is 5% fuel economy saving and, believe me, reality is a number far in excess of that.

[DTCwordfan]

You CANNOT see the gubbins of what is going on inside your engine, Karen.......

[scotman]

I am not any kind of expert but I think it might be the spark plugs given the low mileage of the car.

[karenmac60]

I'd pay extra for other fuel if there was more than one filling station in town, but there is not. I know you cannot see the inside of the engine from the outside - I was checking the battery terminals and to make nothing appeared to be disconnected. I know I said I wasn't great with mechanics but I'm not completely daft :)

[karenmac60]

Thanks Scotman.

[gingejbee]

Karen; Your car is nearly two years old and it has done only 2000 miles? That's one very, very low mileage car.