Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

So... anyone mechanically inclined?

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
    #1

    So... anyone mechanically inclined?

    To put it shortly...

    2 months ago my truck started leaking coolant

    Took it into the shop and was told the timing gasket was shot and that it would cost almost $1,000 to fix. Being it was a 2000 XL Ranger with 215K on it... that simply wasn't happening.

    Buddy told me I should just be able to top it up until I used it as a trade in... problem is two days later it just plain wouldn't start. It won't turn over. Period. There's still POWER to it... I can turn the lights on, for example. However, even with a boost... it won't start.

    I'm assuming I blew a piston, but I don't know enough about vehicles to be sure.

    I've managed to get around the past couple months through car pooling, my girlfriend, etc... but I have a full time job starting on April 25 and will need my own vehicle.

    As such...

    #1) Anyone here have any idea how I could at least get it to start so I could use it as a trade in? I'm assuming this is impossible, but maybe I just blew a random fuse or something?
    #2) It has relatively new tires and battery; is there anywhere I could part it out? Where would be the best place to do so?
    #3) If that's not option, what the hell do I do with it?

    And I guess it's worth throwing out there, but I'm in the market for a V6 truck with < 75,000 KM for < $17,500.
    "This year, we did what we were supposed to do. We fought as a team. We fought as a team. And the fact is, we gotta go back and go to work, to make sure we finish this next time. That's all we gotta do. This right here makes us stronger. Let's understand who we are as a team. Let's understand this right here makes us stronger." - Ray Lewis, January, 2012.

    Superbowl Champs 2013.
    Tags: None
    #2
    Re: So... anyone mechanically inclined?

    I feel your pain...

    In the last three months my car ('03 Tiburon with ONLY 108,000 km on it) has had to have the head gasket replaced, the power steering pump, and the disc brake callipers seized on the front tires. I've already had my timing belt replaced at 96,000 km.



    The next place I "drive" my car is going to be off a cliff.

    Comment

      #3
      Re: So... anyone mechanically inclined?

      I am not mechanically inclined so me telling you how to fix it is out of the question. The only thing I can ask is if the starter is working properly (you did not mention if it was turning over or not).

      As for what to do with, there are usually a couple of options. Some wreckers will give you a little bit of money for it, not a lot though. Some car places have a push, pull or drag sale every once in a while, where you get a set minimum amount for a trade no matter what condition the vehicle is in.

      Here is what I did one time when I had an old mini van that blew its head gasket (The work on the new head gasket would have cost double or triple the value of the van) and what I did was called the kidney foundation. They haul them away and give you a tax receipt, I think we got a hundred bucks or something. They part it out as a fundraiser, but if they can get it running cheaply, and sell it then you will get more money in the tax receipt.
      Last edited by budha; 04-08-2011, 08:16 AM. Reason: We really need a spell checker on this board LOL
      "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

      "The only thing I ever feared was failure" - Dan Kepley

      Comment

        #4
        Re: So... anyone mechanically inclined?

        Could be the starter or the alternator....the lights coming on could just be from battery power. Unless you were really low on coolant I doubt you could have blown a piston.

        Comment

          #5
          Re: So... anyone mechanically inclined?

          Definitely sounds like it's the alternator. With those many miles on it; I would just try to sell it for parts on kijiji or something like that. Not sure what there is in Edmonton but in Calgary there is Pick-your-part that gives you some decent cash.
          Quote from Inquiring Mind:

          Of course stamphater is sacred... we all worship the ground he walks on.

          #PizStrong

          Comment

            #6
            Re: So... anyone mechanically inclined?

            http://www.samarins.com/diagnose/

            Trouble shooting link above.

            What happens when you try and start it? Does it just click? No sound? Does it even try and turn over. (I'm no mechanic but the more info the better.)

            Comment

              #7
              Re: So... anyone mechanically inclined?

              my first thought was cellenoid.....as stated though, it would help to know what is happening when you are trying to turn it over. Could be an ignition relay, starter, distributor......I'm no mechanic, but you should talk to one before you write it off just yet.
              Before you insult a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when you insult him, you'll be a mile away, and have his shoes.

              Comment

                #8
                Re: So... anyone mechanically inclined?

                Nothing happens at all when I turn it over.

                I had some alternator problems just under a year ago, had a lot of it replaced.
                "This year, we did what we were supposed to do. We fought as a team. We fought as a team. And the fact is, we gotta go back and go to work, to make sure we finish this next time. That's all we gotta do. This right here makes us stronger. Let's understand who we are as a team. Let's understand this right here makes us stronger." - Ray Lewis, January, 2012.

                Superbowl Champs 2013.

                Comment

                  #9
                  Re: So... anyone mechanically inclined?

                  When my head gasket blows all I can tell you is the BJ is over.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Re: So... anyone mechanically inclined?

                    Even if you had something in the powertrain pile up, it should still try to start. Might sound like shyte but the starter should still spin. If nothing has piled up with plenty of fanfare, I suspect your starter solenoid may be on the fritz. If you can easily locate your starter, slide under the truck and give it a firm but not hellacious whack with a hammer. The resulting blow usually will smarten the solenoid up albeit temporarily. If that works, keep the hammer in the vehicle

                    If it is the solenoid, the good news is they don't cost too much
                    I will not, for a moment longer, support an organization who chooses to cowardly kneel where they once fiercely & proudly stood

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Re: So... anyone mechanically inclined?

                      Originally posted by Diesel View Post
                      Even if you had something in the powertrain pile up, it should still try to start. Might sound like shyte but the starter should still spin. If nothing has piled up with plenty of fanfare, I suspect your starter solenoid may be on the fritz. If you can easily locate your starter, slide under the truck and give it a firm but not hellacious whack with a hammer. The resulting blow usually will smarten the solenoid up albeit temporarily. If that works, keep the hammer in the vehicle

                      If it is the solenoid, the good news is they don't cost too much
                      This little trick worked for me on my van for a couple months until my transmission went and I threw a rod. 385,000 klicks on a 95 Winstar. Not bad. You might need someone to turn the key when you give it a reef.
                      WALTER IS MY HERO!!

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Re: So... anyone mechanically inclined?

                        i'm no mechanic but is there any clicking sound when you try to start or any noise at all. if there is its your starter you might try tapping on the starter.when you turn the key does the interior light dim if so then your battery don't have enough power to turn the engine. just things to try

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Re: So... anyone mechanically inclined?

                          Originally posted by Diesel View Post
                          Even if you had something in the powertrain pile up, it should still try to start. Might sound like shyte but the starter should still spin. If nothing has piled up with plenty of fanfare, I suspect your starter solenoid may be on the fritz. If you can easily locate your starter, slide under the truck and give it a firm but not hellacious whack with a hammer. The resulting blow usually will smarten the solenoid up albeit temporarily. If that works, keep the hammer in the vehicle

                          If it is the solenoid, the good news is they don't cost too much
                          That hammer trick got our 1986 Aerostar from Trail, BC to Modesto, California (where we got the starter replaced at my cousin's place) in 2000.

                          Comment

                          Previous template Next
                          Working...
                          X