Car not Starting - Has been sitting for a few weeks

[Steve Burnett]

As the title says........
My car won\'t start at the moment. It is turning over you can hear it almost firing up but just not getting there. Now, due to breaking my ankle the car has not been started for about 3-4 weeks. I did ask various people to start it but that never happened. I finally got my dad to go out last night and hey presto it would not start. I can\'t really do much myself at the moment as im still in plaster but is there something that could be done? I would bump start it and then get it taken for a drive for a good 30 minutes but as I can\'t help im not sure who will do that for me. I also don\'t just want to wait until i can drive again as that might be another 3-4 weeks.
Any one got ideas??? I think a bump start is the best idea.

The car has had a rebuild at the start of this year so seal failure should not really be an issue. Car is also stock other than cat back.

Any help will be great.

Thanks
Steve

[clive]

Hi Steve,

Unfortunatly it\'s definatly flooded, your going to need to make sure you have a  real good battery and read through this section,

http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=604

Hope this helps.

[Jus]

Steve,

Take the spark plugs out together with the Head/EGI fuse, remember where the
spark plug and plug leads went. T1 (FRONT TOP) blue T2 (REAR TOP) blue. L1
(FRONT BOTTOM) Black L2 (REAR BOTTOM) Black.

Dry the spark plugs (on a gas hob or blow touch) until their is no orange
flame on the plugs. Try turning over the engine with the plugs out, you\'ll
see fuel mist from the plug holes.

Return the dry (clean) plugs (try not to burn your fingers) and their leads
plus the fuse.

Re-try and BINGO!

Jus

[Steve Burnett]

Should I even bother trying to bump start it? If I can\'t, I will have to wait for about another month to do that stuff.

I\'ve printed out all the \'how to start a flodded car\' section.

[clive]

Hi Steve I have towed a few like this in the past sometimes sucessfully, use NO throttle even when you think yes it\'s going to go and it\'s "jerking" around , you will realise when and if it\'s starting to run.


Doing it this way l have had some go and others not, but seeing as this is your only choice for now give it a try.  

Hope this helps

[Jus]

If you wish an alternative to the previous then try the following.

If it\'s flooded, then bumping may not work, toeing the car would be a better alternative. You don\'t want the hassle of getting stuck half way down the road.

Toe it in second gear say, 20-30 mph, let the clutch out gradualy with the ignition on. DO NOT LET THE CLUTCH OUT FAST! Keep the clutch out so the engine is spun rather than jaring the clutch.

It is better to toe the car for the simple reason that if its badly flooded it may not start first time.

That should work.

Jus

[Steve Burnett]

Thanks Clive, I might try it tonight.
Then again it will be my dad pushing the car and my other half in the drivers seat so I might wait until I have better help!!!!

I\'ll let you know how it goes, but it might be a while till I do.

Thanks
Steve

[Steve Burnett]

Thanks Jus, I\'ll try that.

[Steve Burnett]

Had my car out tonight!!!!!! My dad started it yesterday and when my GF came round tonight we took it for a drive. YEA!!!!

[Martin]

nice one:) which method did you use mate? towing?

[Steve Burnett]

Nope,
It just decided to start the next my dad tryed to start it. Very happy about that!!!! Had my GF take it out last night and she will also be using a couple of time a week to make sure it does not happen again.