Motor will not turn over
 

I am in the middle of a paint job and I have had the car back for about 3 months. Today the glass went back in. In order to do this the glass guy asked to have the car outside so he could have more room to work. I rolled it out and tried to start it. it did not turn over and I thought, no big deal I will figure it out later.

Got home this evening and checked the bat and it is charged. I figured bump it. To make this long story short even with someone pushing down my street it chirps the tires and stops.

My theory, the car has not been started in about a year but the key has been turned on and off by the painter and me during this period. Intake valve open filled with fuel and then closed. AKA hydro-static lock up.

Any thoughts????????

SC's shouldn't pump fuel with the key on...airflow switch lockout...in theory. Mine will pump fuel with the airflow switch closed.

I'd pull the spark plugs and see what's what in there.

Pat

Can you put a long breaker-bar on the fan nut and turn the engine over by hand? Does the starter sound like it is engaging the flywheel?

If the engine cannot be turned by hand, I agree...pull all the spark plugs and try again to turn it over with starter and by hand.

Report back.

Plug the plugs and try it again, and leave towels over the spark plug holes. Fluids don't compress, so the rings/etc. can possibly be broken.
An oil hydrolock-situation happened to my parked car as well, probably due to worn valve seals.

Did you try to bump start the car in first gear or second? First may be too low. Verify no hydro-lock first, and if you try to bump start again, use second gear.

Some people say that if you remove the plugs and pour some Marvel Mystery Oil into the cylinders and let them soak for a few days, you might be able to break it loose. No personal experience, though, and YMMV.

Scott

Pull the plugs, you could easily wreck your engine if you're not careful.

+1 This in not the time to "force it" with a "Bigger hammer"

Well it runs! Pulled the plugs 5th gear and a gentle push and it turned over no problem. Cleaned the bat terminals and put everything back together. Hit the key and it it practically started immediately like it always does, with one exception, smoke. There are no more mosquitoes on this side of the country now. I let it run for about 1/2 hour and it mostly cleared up. I assume it will clear up completely when I actual get it under load.

This one surprised me I never had a motor do that?

Thanks for everyone's advice!

Jeff

I love a happy ending.

The smoke is somewhat normal for a boxter engine that has been sitting.

Drive it hard for the next while and hopefully it won't smoke on start-up anymore. A puff is normal, any more than that is a concern.