Car turns over but will not start

TRACYELLEN

MEMBER
1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE
2.8L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
105,610 MILES

When trying to start car it turns over but does not start. Checked a spark plug and had spark checked. All fuses outside in engine area there good can smell gas so I think it is getting gas. What can I do other than these I have done? Also, I put it in mutual and trued to start it and it did not start still.

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

If the engine is cranking but not starting then this is an air, fuel, spark, or compression issue.

If you pulled a spark plug and have spark, then we need to confirm fuel even though you can smell it because it may not be enough pressure, or the injectors may not be firing.

So, we do this by checking the pressure first.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

If the pressure is okay, then we need to find out if the injectors are firing. You can use this guide to test them or pull a plug and find out if it is damp or smells like fuel.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

If there is spark and fuel, then we need to check the compression as that is the next likely issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

I am attaching the spec below for this info as well.

However, if we run through all this info and it all checks out then here is a guide that will help with this. I would suggest then changing the spark plugs because they could be fouled, causing the engine not to start.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please let me know what you find with this, and we can go from there.

Thanks

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