Oil on spark plugs = harder/no start?

[Neejay]

I was thinking that my starter was going out (i.e. wont crank, but everything else electrical works, headlights, radio, etc.). I can turn the key and nothing will happen. If I keep holding it or keep trying it eventually cranks up.

But before I spend $135 on a new starter, I was thinking that maybe because my valve cover is leaking (because 2 bolts side-by-side are stripped) oil that maybe its because oil is leaking down onto 1 or more spark plugs making it harder to start.

Could this be the case, or is it really because of my starter? My car has always crunk up kinda slow since I bought the car back in March 04 as well though.

[DAEDALUS]

Pretty sure oil on the plugs wouldnt hold back the starter.Everything electrical works, but is the battery healthy enough to supply the large amount of current required by the starter? The starter needs more power than anything else.Have someone measure the voltage of the battery while you try to start the car. It should drop, but if it goes below 10V it might not be good, though the starter could still be the problem. Batteries are cheaper than starters, easier to replace, and probably fail more often.

[R32wanabee]

Also could be your batter cable or terminal. my friend just had to replace that. check your connections. Also is it very cold where u live now? That could hold back the starter.

[Neejay]

Also could be your batter cable or terminal. my friend just had to replace that. check your connections. Also is it very cold where u live now? That could hold back the starter.

Thats a possibility as well, because one time when it wouldnt crank at all, I tapped the connection with a wrench and a big spark popped up then the car crunk right up. And its not that cold, I live around Atlanta, GA...its been fairly warm around here.

Pretty sure oil on the plugs wouldnt hold back the starter.Everything electrical works, but is the battery healthy enough to supply the large amount of current required by the starter? The starter needs more power than anything else.Have someone measure the voltage of the battery while you try to start the car. It should drop, but if it goes below 10V it might not be good, though the starter could still be the problem. Batteries are cheaper than starters, easier to replace, and probably fail more often.

It shouldnt be the battery, its fairly new and re-charged...at least I thought, but I will try having the voltage measured.

[Neejay]

Ok, heres a slight update. I noticed if I try to crank the car and it doesnt crank, I can just keep holding the key and after a couple of seconds it will start to crank. Slowly, but it does crank up.

Any other ideas? That is really causing me to believe its the starter.

[DAEDALUS]

When you first turn the key do you hear the solenoid click right away?

[Neejay]

When you first turn the key do you hear the solenoid click right away?

I think when there is a click, then it starts up slowly...VERY slowly.

When it doesnt click, thats when I have turn and keep holding then after like 5 seconds, it clicks and starts trying to crank VERY slowly.

Hopefully that made sense. I'll doube check tomorrow though and re-post.

[xung]

So is it the cost or the work of removing and reattaching the starter that you're afraid of unnecessarily spending? Why don't you just take the starter to the store and have them test it for you?

[Neejay]

So is it the cost or the work of removing and reattaching the starter that you're afraid of unnecessarily spending? Why don't you just take the starter to the store and have them test it for you?

More so the cost. I would just have my mechanic do it after I examined the amount of work necessary to get it on/off. I guess I can have my mechanic take it off, then take it to get it tested...

[DAEDALUS]

Well is sounds like a bad solenoid. If your car has a separate starter relay I'd risk the $10 or whatever and replace that first. Or you can test it too with a 12v source. Or heck, jump the starter and see if it spins right away. No need to remove it.

[Neejay]

Well is sounds like a bad solenoid. If your car has a separate starter relay I'd risk the $10 or whatever and replace that first. Or you can test it too with a 12v source. Or heck, jump the starter and see if it spins right away. No need to remove it.

Ok heres what happened today:

About 8:45pm, about to go to the movies...car wont start. I got my girlfriend to turn the key while I listen to the starter. Everything works still (radio, antenna, headlights, seatbelts, etc.) Theres like 2-3 fast clicks/electricity crackle and if you keep holding the key, its like a very low whirring noise. I tapped the connection with a wrench a couple of times and got sparks. Went to the movies in her car.

Leaving here house at about 11:15pm, got in the car to try one more time before walking (I live 3 houses up ) and the car started right up.

I looked for a seperate starter relay, but I dont think I have one. How do I test it with a 12v source? Or jump start it?

[Neejay]

Well is sounds like a bad solenoid. If your car has a separate starter relay I'd risk the $10 or whatever and replace that first. Or you can test it too with a 12v source. Or heck, jump the starter and see if it spins right away. No need to remove it.

Got my mechanic to take off the starter and I took it to the auto store. My friend there tested my starter and a new starter and they both were putting out the same voltage. Took it back to the mechanic and another mechanic there said it might be the "neutral control sensor" or something of that nature. So he installed a kill-switch under my dash and it doesnt start like a new car, but it starts a helluva lot faster than before.