Just got my car and drove it home. It flew, ran very smoothly, no problems whatsoever. BUT before I got home, I stopped at the gas station to get some gas. Filled her up and now she won't start. It's been about 4 hours and it still won't start. I figured it might have overheated because of the radiator I need to replace, but it was like 6 miles to the base gas station and I didn't think she'd die on me like that. When I try to start it, it doesn't turn over and every once in awhile it makes kind of like a short grinding noise. Any advice? I'm broke at the moment cause I spent the cash on the car. I'll post some pictures as soon as they get from the fone to the computer.



** Well the pictures are in my album but apparently I'm a retard and I can't get it to link here or something.

 

If it doesn't turn over, as in the starter isn't turning the flywheel, then it shouldn't have anything to do with the engine (or cooling system for that matter). It sounds like you have a problem with the starter. Remove it and do a bench test; see if it spins when you apply battery power. Also, look for any broken teeth on the drive gear or anything else out of the ordinary.

 

I think the starters working cause the engine is trying to turn over, then it makes that grind noise while it's attempting to "catch".

 

So, the engine spins (turns over) when the key is turned, but instead of it starting up, it'll just spin forever or sometimes make a grinding sound? Are you sure the grinding isn't due to clicking the key back and forth too quickly between tries?

 

Well I ripped out the Haynes Manual and thought hard about what you said. Then engine itself is not spinning. It's like the starter is either missing catching the motor and then gets it and loses it quickly, or the engine is seized... And yes the grinding is because I was turning it over too fast. So it's either a 100$ starter or a rebuild I guess then?