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Cranks over but will not start

wfj8251

wfj8251

New member
The water temp was a little high and when I pulled into the driveway the car died. It is a 99' Grand Prix with a 3800cc. When I try to start it, it sounds like it tries to hit but does not start. I have changed to crank shaft sensor with no luck. Not sure where to go from this point. Help would be greatly appreciated.
 


Welcome!!!

When you say that you temp was "a little high" how high are you talking?
How far did you drive it with this so called "a little high" temps?
Which engine do you have?
Does the engine sound harder to turn over then usual?
What was the reason you changed the crank sensor?
 
It never got into the red zone, but close. Water temp. was higher with higher RPM, went down with lower RPM. Went only about 4 miles after it started going high. The water level was only about a half gallon low in the radiator.

It is the 3800 (not supercharged).

My wife was driving it, when she pulled into the driveway and stop it shutdown. I went out checked the water and oil levels, also to make sure they were not mixed. I then tried to start it, the first time it would not crank over, it was like it was vapor locked. Once it turned over it seems to sound a little harder than usual.

It sounds like it is trying to start, so I pulled the timing change cover to check and see if everything is lined up, it looks good. So while I had the crankshaft balancer off I went ahead and changed the crankshaft sensor.

I appriciate your help.
 
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Ok, it sounds like you have an upper manifold failure. They tend to crack and leak right around the area of the TB. When they crack they leak coolant into the engine ultimately flooding out the engine and eventually hydro locking the engine.

There are a couple ways to further prove that this is what is going on. 1st thing to do is to get a a pressure tester and test for a coolant leak. I believe the results will be positive at this point. If so, check and see if you can see where the coolant is leaking. Next, take out the spark plugs, being careful to make sure you know where they go so there is no confusion when you put them back in. After the plugs are out, have someone turn the engine over and see if you see what would look like liquid spraying out of the spark plug holes. If you see this, the spray is most likely coolant and your upper (black plastic) intake manifold needs to be replaced.

Do these couple of checks and let us know what happens.
 
Thank you for the info. I will do the test. I'm not for sure what TB stands for. I had heard that the upper intake was subject to failing. But was not sure how or if it was the gasket.

I'll let you know how it goes.
 


I pulled the #1, 3 and 5 spark plugs. #1 and 5 were wet with water. When we cranked it over water was spitting out of the #5 cylinder.

I found the intake and gasket kit at AutoZone, I'll change it out.

Is there anything special that needs to be done?

Thank you again for your help.
 
Ahh, I'm glad you found the cause!!

I would go ahead and change those plugs a wires out. Don't be cheap on the plugs!!! Make sure to get a new set of Injector O-rings and when you reinstall them make sure to lube them. Failure of replacement could result in engine fire. Before you start take a look at all of your vacuum lines and determine if they need replacing. If so add that to your list.

Also, if you haven't changed the thermostat go ahead and do that seeing as how your system is already drained down. Of course the thermostat is optional.

After you got it all put back together, make sure you have bled all of the air out of the system. Otherwise air in the system could/will cause headaches down the road.

Let us know how it goes...good luck. :th_thumbsup-wink:
 
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No problem, that's what we are here for.

I have to say thank you for responding back to this thread with the results.

Many ask questions on here and never tell us what the results were, making the search feature worthless. It's very annoying when you do a search....select a thread.....go through 33 posts and no result reported from the original poster telling us what was wrong or what worked to fix what was wrong. :th_thumbsup-wink:
 
Think i might have this same problem two days ago my gt 3800 stalled cant get it to start yet.however i pulled the pugs they seem to be dry and no water came out when it was turned over could this still be the problem or is thier something else it could be
 
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