Car broken! Help? Please

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Car broken! Help? Please

xxo0 pk o0xx

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Apr 17, 2009
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hi, my car has recently deciding not to start. It makes the sound that no petrol is in it when theres half a tank in. The car also when we do get it started will blow loads of white smoke out of the exaust then cut out. Before it started doing this tere was a clicking noise coming from near the cat under the car and it was blowing from 2 parts in the exaust. Before it decided not to work it made a large bang then cut out. Any informaion on whats gone wrong will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
Sounds very much like a possible head gasket failure.

The white smoke could be from burning coolant which is leaking into the cylinders where the head gasket is corroded. Have a check to see if there is any coolant left in the system. If not, top it up and get it started. After its smoked, see if there is coolant left again. If not, ur head gasket is most likely knackered (n)

Also, the fact it will not start also points to this. The head gasket failure will make atleast one of the cylinders loose compression and so the car will find it very hard to start, if atall. (n)

Out of interest, what car is it and what engine does it have?
 
Sounds very much like a possible head gasket failure.

The white smoke could be from burning coolant which is leaking into the cylinders where the head gasket is corroded. Have a check to see if there is any coolant left in the system. If not, top it up and get it started. After its smoked, see if there is coolant left again. If not, ur head gasket is most likely knackered (n)

Also, the fact it will not start also points to this. The head gasket failure will make atleast one of the cylinders loose compression and so the car will find it very hard to start, if atall. (n)

Out of interest, what car is it and what engine does it have?

1.2 8V its a MK1
 
MK1 what?

Assuming punto? If so then its a Fire engine which isn't unknown to have head gasket failures. Im not saying its 100% head gasket, just that the symptoms seem to point towards it.

Get it checked over or have a search on here for head gasket failure symtoms. Check if there is oil in the coolant by a greasy layer on the top (if there is any coolant) and also check for coolant in the water by a white paste under the oil filler cap.

Its fixable but a garage will probably want around £300. Definatly a DIY job, although depends on whether or not you are willing to give it a go. A simple change of the Head gasket will set you back around £50 in parts and a days worth of work. Can get complete head gasket sets withall the bolts and bits and bobs you need. Its always worth doing the cam belt and tentioners at the same time too, even the water pump as its much easier with the belts/head off :)
 
yeah its a mk1 punto. Thanks for the advice ill have a check. The coolant bottle is so dark though because of the plastic i cant see inside it. but ill check the oil filler cap and if so ill defo go DIY. Thanks so much for advice :)
 
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