Hi all, we have a 95 Corolla (base model, 1.6L/4AFE motor, 3 spd auto trans) with about 167,000 miles. Got it about 6 months ago and replaced the battery and the starter plunger and contacts and the little car ran like a champ. 1st a little history: A few weeks ago we noticed that after driving one day, there would be some overnight coolant leakage on the driveway the next morning (under where the coolant overflow bottle is located). The amount leaked would be about a cups worth, not a lot, but some. Replaced the radiator cap and it didn't make any difference. No leaks found with the car running. So we would fill the radiator every time we wanted to go anywhere in that car, and never went more than a few miles. We only drove it a few times a week until we could fix the coolant leak. The car has never overheated and the gauge is always on the low side when driving. Still haven't been able to diagnose the coolant overflow/leak cause but then along came the crank/no start issue so this has to be fixed first.
As I said, the car ran really great even though we had the coolant overflow/leak issue. We drove the car around the corner a couple of weeks ago and came home and parked the car. The next day I went out to do some more coolant leak troubleshooting and the car would crank/no start?? Did some checking and this is what I know so far; Car distributor rotor turns and has spark on all 4 spark plug wires. I sprayed some starter fluid up the intake (to rule out the fuel pump) and it wouldn't even catch, just kept cranking/no difference. Checked and no engine codes on this OBD1 car. Checked all the fuses I could find and didn't find any blown, although I could probably recheck if I knew which fuses and relays I should recheck and where exactly they are located. Anyone have some advice on where to look/check? Checked all fluids and everything good, and no evidence of coolant in the engine oil. I guess my next step would be to check the fuel injection system and perhaps the engine compression but I am not all to sure how to go about that, any advice?
My wife and I are seniors and on a fixed income so we can't afford a mechanic. My head tells me that it is probably something simple but I am not a mechanic by trade. Any and all help and advice is greatly appreciated!
As I said, the car ran really great even though we had the coolant overflow/leak issue. We drove the car around the corner a couple of weeks ago and came home and parked the car. The next day I went out to do some more coolant leak troubleshooting and the car would crank/no start?? Did some checking and this is what I know so far; Car distributor rotor turns and has spark on all 4 spark plug wires. I sprayed some starter fluid up the intake (to rule out the fuel pump) and it wouldn't even catch, just kept cranking/no difference. Checked and no engine codes on this OBD1 car. Checked all the fuses I could find and didn't find any blown, although I could probably recheck if I knew which fuses and relays I should recheck and where exactly they are located. Anyone have some advice on where to look/check? Checked all fluids and everything good, and no evidence of coolant in the engine oil. I guess my next step would be to check the fuel injection system and perhaps the engine compression but I am not all to sure how to go about that, any advice?
My wife and I are seniors and on a fixed income so we can't afford a mechanic. My head tells me that it is probably something simple but I am not a mechanic by trade. Any and all help and advice is greatly appreciated!