There are three things needed for an engine to run:
Fuel
Spark
Air (Compression)
If the car shut down suddenly without prior warning, and if the engine cranks over very fast (seemingly faster than normal), then my first guess would be a broken timing belt. This is bad because not only did you lose compression because the timing belt keeps the valves in sync with the pistons, that very fact means that the breaking of the belt most likely did internal damage to the engine in the form of bent valves. The very first thing you should do is to pull the plugs and do a compression check of the engine. If the cylinders are not all at the same level of pressure (within reason), or there is little or no compression in one or more cylinders, then the timing belt is gone. If compression is good, then the issue is either spark or fuel. Ensure spark is available by using a pair of insulated pliers to pull off one of the plug wires and hold it near the engine block. Crank the engine and watch for spark from the wire to the block. If there, you have spark. If not you must troubleshoot the cause. Fuel can be easiest or hardest to determine. Most vehicles have electric fuel pumps. Most have a "prime" function that occurs when first turning the key to the ON position. This allows the pump to bring the fuel rail to pressure for the injectors. Without starting the engine, turn the key to "ON" listen for a 3-5 second humming noise. This would be the fuel pump priming the fuel system. If you hear this you should have fuel to the rail. If you don't check the rail for fuel availability,.
Answers & Comments
There are three things needed for an engine to run:
- Fuel
- Spark
- Air (Compression)
If the car shut down suddenly without prior warning, and if the engine cranks over very fast (seemingly faster than normal), then my first guess would be a broken timing belt. This is bad because not only did you lose compression because the timing belt keeps the valves in sync with the pistons, that very fact means that the breaking of the belt most likely did internal damage to the engine in the form of bent valves. The very first thing you should do is to pull the plugs and do a compression check of the engine. If the cylinders are not all at the same level of pressure (within reason), or there is little or no compression in one or more cylinders, then the timing belt is gone. If compression is good, then the issue is either spark or fuel. Ensure spark is available by using a pair of insulated pliers to pull off one of the plug wires and hold it near the engine block. Crank the engine and watch for spark from the wire to the block. If there, you have spark. If not you must troubleshoot the cause. Fuel can be easiest or hardest to determine. Most vehicles have electric fuel pumps. Most have a "prime" function that occurs when first turning the key to the ON position. This allows the pump to bring the fuel rail to pressure for the injectors. Without starting the engine, turn the key to "ON" listen for a 3-5 second humming noise. This would be the fuel pump priming the fuel system. If you hear this you should have fuel to the rail. If you don't check the rail for fuel availability,.