Engine struggling to start

[Click_It]

Well this problem first occured just before I started the front end of the aspire swap. At first it seemed like a dead battery but I ruled that out. Then I checked the spark plugs and there was grey sludge behind just one of the plugs, cleaned that and it appeared to fix it. But now the problem is back and the spark plugs are clean.

Maybe it is the starter? It tries to turn but can't. If I keep on it, it will eventually turn and run fine but it's a real effort. It's always started so easily all it's life so this is new. It's not a fuel problem, and the spark plugs (though they probably don't even play a role at this early stage) are new too. The leads are old. But it sounds like an engine turning issue so does that mean starter/solanoid?

The only other light I can shed is, a number of months back I degreased all over the engine bay and since it was a warm day I hosed it down (something I never usually do)... so it's possible condensation has worked its way in too. Remove the whole distributor perhaps? My flatmate believes it's an electrical grounding issue. I'm confused. Any help appreciated thanks

[Click_It]

Forgot to add, I'm running a stock B3 carb

[Click_It]

Okay just took it for a drive. Something I've noticed is when it's cold it struggles to turn at all. No clicking sounds just reaaaaaalllllly slow turning if anything. But if I keep at it, it'll eventually turn over and get going. Later when it's warm it'll start a lot easier but still not perfectly. It is coming into winter here but it lives in a garage, probably never dropped below 10c yet (50 Fahrenheit) so that's not cold. This has never happened in previous years. I guess it IS the starter?

[91mcnasty]

If it was Your starter i would think it wouldnt matter if it was
Warm or not.

[Click_It]

If it was Your starter i would think it wouldnt matter if it was
Warm or not.

Yeah I suppose your right. I can make it keep doing it until the car is warm and then it starts easier. Hmmmm.

[econoaddict]

I would have the battery load tested and if that passes have it checked for starter amp draw while cranking, this will be really high if the starter is the issue.

[econoaddict]

If it was Your starter i would think it wouldnt matter if it was
Warm or not.

Chevrolet had a problem with headers heating the starter and then a very slow hard crank. Worked great when cold.

[91mcnasty]

I would say battery or alternator is bad try a battery from a buddy's car and see what happens

[Click_It]

I would have the battery load tested and if that passes have it checked for starter amp draw while cranking, this will be really high if the starter is the issue.

I would say battery or alternator is bad try a battery from a buddy's car and see what happens

Thanks guys, I'll look into both of these and report back.

[FestYboy]

also do a voltage drop across the main starter cable (+) from the battery, then across the main solenoid posts at the starter, then finaly between the motor hot wire (after the solenoid) and ground. each test MUST be made while cranking. the first 2 positions can't have any more than .5 volts showing and the last position should be near battery voltage.

[91mcnasty]

My bad econoaddict

[Click_It]

I haven't had a chance to do any tests yet but some more news, the car died completely today, kinda...

If you don't want to hear my days rant skip the gray text and just read the black okay? ...
Lucky I drove to Sydney in the other car, what a day... I went to Sydney to buy 15" rims (exciting, they look good!) and then on the way home a huge semi exploded on the biggest motorway in Australia resulting in a complete closure of the road. 3 lanes of car park miles and miles and MILES long. I was one of the lucky ones banked up near an offramp some people in front were evacuated from their cars! So I get home (a few hours later) jump in the festiva and head to the tire shop, they tell me they are too busy to do it today so I jump back in the festiva and nothing. No start, no trying to start, no noise... nada Hopefully on Wednesday I'll get some time to check all those suggestions mentioned above and fix this. Combine all this with the 1 day I don't have my phone on me because my gf's phone went flat so we swapped batteries. It's amazing how few phone numbers we know from memory is this day and age we live. I couldn't think of anyone's numbers............ Lesson learnt: Write a few emergency contacts and put it in my wallet. Pen & paper I remember those... All this on 2 hours sleep. There is even more misfortune to this story but I have bored you enough! So in the end I clutch started it and got it home. The tire shop was cool saying they'd lock it up in their garage if I couldn't get moving so that was nice. Instead of getting angry or stressed at todays events like I usually would I decided to feel lucky I made it home, at least 1 truck driver didn't and I'm not sure if there were other casualties. So my bad day was nothing in the grand scheme of things.

As previously mentioned I'll report back when I figure it out.

And I'll post some pics in a new thread with my wheels once fitted on the car.

[Click_It]

Diagnosed what I believe to be the problem - the starter. The battery checks out, the leads check out so what I did as a final test was connect the batteries positive directly to the starter and negative to ground (thanks search button!) and it's still a dodo. So I'm no rocket scientist but I'm hedging bets it is indeed the starter. It made it to 18 years of age so I can't complain about that.

Off to see if I can source one from my favorite auto store.

[Click_It]

Bought & fitted new starter. Problem solved!
Thought you'd like to see the old & new next to each other

[89newb]

how much did that starter run you?