<![CDATA[Wrecked car won't start]]>Hey guys,

I got a new radiator overflow tank to replace my shattered one. After getting my front end off my radiator looks fine -- I put some coolant in it and fired it up annnnndddddddd nothing :(

It struggles to turn over and then sputters and dies. Any ideas? I'm making the huge assumption I did not overheat the engine (temperature gauge never indicated such... I did see steam/smoke but I'm hoping that was my washer fluid), but I don't actually know that. The car drove away from the accident, onto a tow truck, and off the truck into my parking spot...

I will try lowering the car and trying again just to see if it was being elevated (doubtful). Any ideas besides I wrecked it so there's no way to know :)? What else is in the front end that I may have damage that would prevent it from starting? What does a fuel pump/alternator failing make a car sound like?

Edit: I put my thinking cap on. Are there any sensors in front (pretty much anything in front of the bumper support/front of engine) of the engine the ECU needs signal from? Most of the damage was passenger side. What would the consequence of the serpentine belt not spinning properly do? I imagine if the alternator is not spinning well, it would stop the car from properly idling? It sounds pretty awful when it turns over. The 3rd time I tried it idled for a second and then quit. I'm afraid continuous tries might make something work... but if the engine is already fucked, then oh well!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/topic/2952/wrecked-car-won-t-startRSS for NodeWed, 16 Sep 2026 05:45:16 GMTWed, 30 Jul 2014 00:55:06 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Thu, 07 Aug 2014 14:17:59 GMT]]>Haha! Maybe a little bit.

The spraying I think was because I didn't seat the gasket on correctly, and then drove around. It appeared to have "sprayed" because the engine was covered in oil, but perhaps I exaggerated a bit :).

Got a new radiator fan, radiator mount (holy shit only $39 on ebay w/ free shipping), and the cap & bleed screw for my expansion tank. Waiting on the gasket to get here and then we'll see how it all goes! I'm hoping the engine was shaking because of the now-asymmetrical radiator fan... hence the new one I ordered.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46086https://wibimmers.com/post/46086Thu, 07 Aug 2014 14:17:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Thu, 07 Aug 2014 14:14:10 GMT]]>

xgeetx said:

How bad? Are you surprised it's causing smoke?

I have seen them cause smoke but I have never heard of them spraying oil like you mentioned with your Nissan.  Sorry for my delayed response as I am sure you have been waiting in suspense for my answer lol.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46085https://wibimmers.com/post/46085Thu, 07 Aug 2014 14:14:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Mon, 04 Aug 2014 13:59:24 GMT]]>

patsbimmer1 said:

I would get it done as soon as you can but I haven't heard of them getting that bad!

How bad? Are you surprised it's causing smoke?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45894https://wibimmers.com/post/45894Mon, 04 Aug 2014 13:59:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Mon, 04 Aug 2014 13:34:18 GMT]]>I would get it done as soon as you can but I haven't heard of them getting that bad!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45890https://wibimmers.com/post/45890Mon, 04 Aug 2014 13:34:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Mon, 04 Aug 2014 13:16:53 GMT]]>To be fair, it has been leaking for a while, and I've been told about it... I just always monitored my oil level and didn't think a slow leak was a big deal. If that leak triggers a smokey engine, sounds like it's time to replace it. I'm scarred from the time I attempted to change it on a Nissan several years ago and it ended up spraying (literally) oil all over the engine.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45883https://wibimmers.com/post/45883Mon, 04 Aug 2014 13:16:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Mon, 04 Aug 2014 13:10:35 GMT]]>

xgeetx said:

Hmmm so it was probably smoking before too? Should I be able to see something dripping in that area?

You could try a mirror just under the valve cover where it meets the head and you will see some moisture but I have never experienced a leaky valve cover where it was bad enough to watch it drip out.  Usually it's a very slow run.  If you turn your heat on while parked and running you will smell it through your vents.

I have always thought of the valve cover gaskets as a maintenance item as soon as I bought an e36.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45880https://wibimmers.com/post/45880Mon, 04 Aug 2014 13:10:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Sun, 03 Aug 2014 23:17:17 GMT]]>Hmmm so it was probably smoking before too? Should I be able to see something dripping in that area?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45854https://wibimmers.com/post/45854Sun, 03 Aug 2014 23:17:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Sun, 03 Aug 2014 22:44:05 GMT]]>That smell is oil burning off your exhaust manifold due to a leaky valve cover gasket. I'm sure it was bad before the accident, you're just smelling it now because the car's been sitting.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45853https://wibimmers.com/post/45853Sun, 03 Aug 2014 22:44:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Sun, 03 Aug 2014 16:18:02 GMT]]>Checked down in all the plug wells (holes?) for oil, and didn't find any. It now starts even with the MAF plugged in but it runs a little rough. The car has a distinct vibration. Could this be because the fan is missing some fins? I wouldn't think that imbalance has much effect, but thought I'd add it :P

After letting it idle a few minutes, the temperature seemed fine, but the engine started to smoke from the area I show here: http://imgur.com/CGYmJAg

The smoke wasn't very thick, but was white/gray. It smelled 'burnt', but I'm not attuned to the standard engine smoking smells. It didn't smell sweet like coolant, but I don't know what burning coolant smells like!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45841https://wibimmers.com/post/45841Sun, 03 Aug 2014 16:18:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Thu, 31 Jul 2014 20:36:30 GMT]]>

DrLeadFoot said:

Is there some sort of "reset" button that needs to be switched after an accident? 

My buddy had a Grand Marquis that didn't start until he google'd the issue. The Doc don't no des new cars...

There shouldn't be.

The Grand Marquis has a fuel shut off valve that is standard on all Ford products.  That thing can be set by hip checking the body or a loud subwoofer as well.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45737https://wibimmers.com/post/45737Thu, 31 Jul 2014 20:36:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Thu, 31 Jul 2014 20:16:58 GMT]]>Is there some sort of "reset" button that needs to be switched after an accident? 

My buddy had a Grand Marquis that didn't start until he google'd the issue. The Doc don't no des new cars...

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45735https://wibimmers.com/post/45735Thu, 31 Jul 2014 20:16:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Thu, 31 Jul 2014 15:48:22 GMT]]>

Narcosis said:

It sounds like your fleet of cars needs a tune up.

They are freshly tuned, no issues there.  Only happens when starting and moving the car a couple feet and shutting it off so that it only ran for 15-30 seconds.  It will just run rough for a few seconds on startup the next time.  Not sure if newer ones are better but try it sometime.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45732https://wibimmers.com/post/45732Thu, 31 Jul 2014 15:48:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Thu, 31 Jul 2014 13:08:52 GMT]]>

Narcosis said:

Have you pulled & inspected the plugs?

What happened to the car?

Hey narcosis! I have not pulled and inspected the plugs. I pulled a couple coils and looked down the tube to see if there was anything bizarre, but there wasn't. Maybe I should pull all the coils? I changed the plugs about 700 miles ago, so I doubt they're part of it... but if you recommend I still take a look I definitely will!

As far as what happened, I rear-ended someone. I have some pics on the "Well Crap :(" thread if you're curious.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45729https://wibimmers.com/post/45729Thu, 31 Jul 2014 13:08:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Thu, 31 Jul 2014 12:55:53 GMT]]>

jc43089 said:

You may be correct on the smell from lots of cranking without firing.  I have found with mine that if I start it just to move the car and shut it off without running it for more than a minute it will run very rough the next time I start it.  I'm not sure if it fouls the plugs or why but my m50 and m20 and our Maxima are all that way.

It sounds like your fleet of cars needs a tune up.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45728https://wibimmers.com/post/45728Thu, 31 Jul 2014 12:55:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Thu, 31 Jul 2014 12:55:30 GMT]]>Have you pulled & inspected the plugs?

What happened to the car?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45727https://wibimmers.com/post/45727Thu, 31 Jul 2014 12:55:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Thu, 31 Jul 2014 12:04:22 GMT]]>You may be correct on the smell from lots of cranking without firing.  I have found with mine that if I start it just to move the car and shut it off without running it for more than a minute it will run very rough the next time I start it.  I'm not sure if it fouls the plugs or why but my m50 and m20 and our Maxima are all that way.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45724https://wibimmers.com/post/45724Thu, 31 Jul 2014 12:04:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Thu, 31 Jul 2014 03:10:11 GMT]]>Hmmmm. So letting it idle for a bit, the only abnormal sound is the fan rubbing the duct tape I have holding my overflow hose up, since the fan shroud is snapped. I haven't attempted to drive it since it's still missing a front end.

Any idea what the bad exhaust smell is? Is that from continuous failed starts? Maybe put a lot of fuel in the cylinders or something? Maybe it's just from idling? Any ideas on that?

Here was the sound when it wouldn't start...

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45713https://wibimmers.com/post/45713Thu, 31 Jul 2014 03:10:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Thu, 31 Jul 2014 02:45:27 GMT]]>Oops, I forgot something that I recently learned, obd2 has the CPS at the back of the crankshaft.  No worries about that then.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45711https://wibimmers.com/post/45711Thu, 31 Jul 2014 02:45:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Wed, 30 Jul 2014 23:36:28 GMT]]>http://imgur.com/SaDzEbX

Is that where the crank position sensor is supposed to be??! Looking at images there should definitely be something there... is it possible it hasn't been there for a while or can the engine absolutely not run without it?

Edit: Looks like that was the sensor position for OBD1 engines? I guess the mystery continues!

IT STARTED. After I unhooked the MAF and removed the air filter (maybe unnecessary), it started up. It had a really shakey idle for a bit then seemed to calm down. It smells absolutely terrible. Very exhausty around the engine and in the cabin. I now have a headache.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45706https://wibimmers.com/post/45706Wed, 30 Jul 2014 23:36:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Wed, 30 Jul 2014 18:09:55 GMT]]>

Rowleym said:

I think it's blown up and I'll even do you the favor of removing the car from you :)

Haha, this is the 3rd offer from people who could "take it off my hands"! I'm not convinced it's blown up quite yet! ;)

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45704https://wibimmers.com/post/45704Wed, 30 Jul 2014 18:09:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Wed, 30 Jul 2014 17:59:22 GMT]]>I think it's blown up and I'll even do you the favor of removing the car from you :)

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45703https://wibimmers.com/post/45703Wed, 30 Jul 2014 17:59:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Wed, 30 Jul 2014 16:03:13 GMT]]>

DrLeadFoot said:

What kind of motor?

M52 motor, btw.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45702https://wibimmers.com/post/45702Wed, 30 Jul 2014 16:03:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:31:07 GMT]]>I can send you a used cap and bleed screw for the cost of shipping, I won't be needing them anymore.  PM me.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45698https://wibimmers.com/post/45698Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:31:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wrecked car won't start on Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:23:20 GMT]]>Thanks guys. I'll look into this I. The evening. I ordered a tank and it came with no cap or bleed screw :P any reason that will be an issue right now? I know I'll need it before I drive around

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/45695https://wibimmers.com/post/45695Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:23:20 GMT