('87 GXL, stick)
I thought my motor was blown today. But i guess it wasn't. Here's the story


I went to leave my friends house. When i cranked the engine, it sounded like there was no compression in the motor i.e. the rotors were just spinning. Luckily i was on a steep hill, and i pop started it. When i did, it started VERY easily, and then the motor ran fine. It was running smooth with no bumps at all, i didnt notice it burning any more oil than normal, or any coolant at all. I went to the top of the hill again, and shut the car off and then started it with the key. This time it started just fine, as if nothing ever happened.

So I have no clue on what happened just then. Im kind of worried because i don't want it happening again (who does, right?), and i haven't heard of people's here cars not starting except for pop and then running without a hitch.

My only guess would be that the starter died, except i KNOW it was turning the engine over the first time, and everything worked fine the second time.

Does anyone have any other educated guesses on what it could be, and what to check for? And how to fix it if it's a problem?

Thanks in advance.

 

So no extra smoke....meaning that it was not flooded. Was there an excess amount of smoke when the car started? hmm, startes dont just DIE. They will give you notice.....Or to my experience. When they do die all you hear is "click" when you try to start the car and the engine wont spin at all.

I'm kinda stumped. maybe a little more info?
Was there any blue just as it started? What was the temperature out....

 

Sounds like you flooded it (quick spinning engine) and then unflooded it by rolling it off. Not a big deal

 

Well, i've flooded the car before (well, i think i have) and when that happened, the engine cranked fine, it just didnt start. Outside it was about 40 degrees and the car had been sitting all day. Or does flooding the engine make it spin quick, and my past experiences actaully not really flooding?

 

Didja shut the car off when cold ala moving it over in the driveway? I've flooded my car both with compression and, once, with a super fast spinning, no-compression sound. Freaked me out that time but she's fine. I just have to always let her warm up before I shut her down.
I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Minor flooding. Don't worry about it unless it becomes common.

 

BTW my starter just DIED one day. Started it up drove to the store to get a drink and when i went back out....nothin just a click.

 

Starters are not dying that often like electrical connections to starters.......in winter/rain/snow weather here its common....All we have to do is re-check, clean up and tighten wire going to starter and everything is fine then..