My Car Won't Start
 

The starter motor seems to be functioning just fine (if a little slow) and if I push the accelerator while trying to start it I can sometimes almost get it to fire up but never completly.
It's definatly got enough fuel and I replaced the spark plugs and leads about a year ago.

WHAT GIVES? >:

Are there any things I should check (bearing in mind I have no tools and don't know my way around a car engine beyond filling up the oil and whatnot) before I go calling the AA to come fix it?

you came to the right place

My girlfriend's car did that for awhile and eventually her exhaust exploded.

My buddy who works on cars told me that not all the fuel was burning up in the engine and was being transferred into the exhaust. You can check for this by standing behind your car when it is running, if it smells like gasoline coming out of the exhaust, then you have the same problem.

I'll give it a try but it sounds more like not enough fuel is getting to the engine in the first place. :/

I'm actually getting a new car soon anyway but I need to be able to drive this one home from university (about 50 miles)

How old is your car? if it has a carb and you flood it wait for 20 minutes and try again. If it is fuel injected you shouldn't step on the fuel when you start the car...It's only fuel air spark...anything else and you need to take it in.

My old truck did that all the godamn time. The mechanic told me I wasn't getting fuel to the pump or something like that. I didn't pay attention to him.

tell the car you're in love with it

my diagnosis is that your car is american

:lol

just kidding!!

how to treat your car right

hold it in your lap and cradle its head

dont ever leave it alone not for a minute

understand that sometimes a car just has a bad day

do something unexpected fill her up with premium (you should do this while wearing aviator sunglasses and holding a pizza (a scarf too if it's been a long time))

learn its likes and dislikes

do a sexy display in front of it i like to take two naked girl silhouette mudflaps and pretend theyre making out hotttt

ask permission to shift gears up or down

thats all

i just got word from one chevy casanova (just kidding it's noob3!) that a most excellent way to keep those romantic fires lit is to spray a little febreeze where it counts wink wink

also i'd like to add that DO NOT buy an air freshner without checking to see if your car is allergic dont be irresponsible

whoa mama word is from one dodge darling from south dakota (just kidding again it's noob3 thanks noob3!!!) that keeping yours locked is just one good way to make sure they stay safe and secure for the holidays!

It's your battery.

There are plenty of possibilities

The wire leading from the starter to your battery could be disconnected... check this first.
The ring gear of your flywheel could be broken

In your car, are your starter and solenoid connected or separate?

My advice? call a mechanic.

based on your vague diagnosis, it could be the carburettor/ and-or the Fuel injection system. Also, make sure oil is always up to level as some cars will stall often if oil level is too low.

Re: My Car Won't Start
 

my good friend has been working on cars for a living his whole life, and i have never ever hurd him say "leads". wtf are those? and for god sake, dont say "accelerator", just say "gas", and just "starter". also have you tried to push start it?

The leads are the things connecting the spark plugs and possibly the distributor cap. When I say I replaced them what I really mean is I watched as one of my friends replaced them.

Anyway I just called the AA and they should be here in about 15 minuites :)

Re: My Car Won't Start
 

As a fellow Englishman, I support MetalMilitia's word usage. >:

Leads is a common term used to refer to wires.

I got it fixed. Apparently the engine was just flooded so the guy kept the accelerator pushed down while turning over the starter for, like 5 minuites, then a ton of smoke pissed out the exaust and now all is well.

If it was flooded and the guy kept the peddle pressed for 5 minutes that would be flooding it more unless you had no gas and he put gas in it and then started it and that would mean you're a girl.

You'd think so wouldn't you, but apparently you only flood it more if you pump the peddle.

look at you kids trying to act all grown up ;o

I've not been a kid of 2 years now >:

Re: My Car Won't Start
 

sorry, but here in the US of the fucking A its "gas"
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHOOOOO!!!!

Re: My Car Won't Start
 

Apology accepted, my good man. :posh

I picked the most convienient time to wreck and have my car mess up. Tarc'ing and six blocks of walking to work in the cold. FUN!