Really peed off this morning, went out to start the car and just kept turning over. Battery went flat so I got my other car out the drive to jump it off. As I was starting it it kept trying to fire but not quite starting, just firing every now and then. Kept trying it and all of a sudden a large bang and I think the starter jammed followed by thick black smoke pouring out the engine bay. I quickly shut the ignition off and wipped off the jump leads. Went to move the car I was jumping it off and it stalled and wouldn't start as it had ran out of petrol. Luckily I had a can in the back so I filled that back up and put it back on my drive. Was having another look under the bonnet when I got a tap on the shoulder, the man said "do you know there is a fire under your car !" sure enough as I looked underneath there was a fire on the street under my car, some leaves had caught alight with whatever had happened.

 

Anyone know why the car would suddenly not start and fire sometimes but intermitently and not enough to start it ?

 

Secondly do you think I could have started it too much and caused the starter motor to jam and melt ? I was trying it for a good 5 mins, I have yet to get it in the air and have a look but that is my first guess !

 

Am having a really shit day. To top it all off I was really late into work and got a *****cking !

 

Olly. :cry:

yes, a starter should never turn continuously for more than 10 secs without a rest. (and usually if a cars not going to start within 10secs of turning it probably will be too gassed up to start anyway)

 

even less now probably as cars now seem to have motors the size of a windscreen wiper motor and are just geared down to get the torque out them.

possibly ptu failure causing bad spark mate..pretty common