Starting Problems in Tuscany

[Ian]

Andy from Peterborough has sent an emergency text:

"Stuck in car park in Tuscany. When I turn the ignition key all I get is a shuddering clunk. Any ideas?"

I assume it's a starter motor problem, but any other things he can check?

[the laird]

Battery fully charged?

[Ian]

We have further news on this. It's very hot, it was a 3 hour drive, and the temp gauge went up to the high position. There's also steam coming out of the header tank but no "gurgling" noise.

Could be a fan failure; would this cause engine not to start?

Although engine will now start, have told him not to drive it until system has been bled.

[scanner]

Sounds like he made the big mistake of just turning the engine off straight after a hard, hot, run instead of letting it idle for a while first.

He might have caused a temporary "seize" of the engine where the heat soak just locked everything up until the block temperature dropped a bit.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Did the temperature gauge go into the H before stopping, if so how long?
If the temperature gauge was normal before stopping, how long afterwards was it before the gauge was on Hot?
Was steam coming out of the overflow pipe of the "header" tank?
Was the cap removed revealing "steam" ?

Whatever the above answers, the engine itself must have got extraordinarily hot, and no attempt should be made to do anything until the engine is cool enough to touch comfortably. Then take a look at water levels , if any , in the plastic tank, and report back. Take a look at oil levels, too!
DON'T....DON'T try anything yet!
Cheers
Helen

[Northern Bongolow]

could be a leak on the (over the starter motor pipe) causing the starter fault, then a poss overheat.