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Anyone mechanically minded

7 replies

BilboBlaggin · 23/01/2025 16:11

I've got a small 65 plate car. It belonged to my husband and he used it as an occasional runaround when he didn't want to dirty his nice car. Then he got terminally ill and it didn't get used. He wouldn't sell it and it just sat around with one of those trickle charge devices keeping the battery from going flat.

DH died last summer. I've had the car MOTd a few months ago and, aside from a couple of advisories. (Two tyres and two brake discs) it passed fine. Then it went back to sitting around while I was dealing with other admin.

I decided this week that it's time to get rid, as the insurance runs out in February. I just went out to make sure it starts ok and it made a horrendous screeching sound when I turned the key in the ignition. Can anyone advise what would cause this? I'm guessing I'll need a mechanic out to look at it, which is depressing, because it's not worth a fortune, and it didn't want to spend hundreds getting anything repaired.

Any advice welcome. I know nothing about car engines so wouldn't be able to fix it myself.

OP posts:
WRIGHZY · 23/01/2025 16:14

It's just the starter motor.. try it a fews times.. If it doesn't work, put it in 3rd gear and rock the car back and forth a few times.. then try again

Shade17 · 24/01/2025 16:28

Did the engine actually start? If so it could be belt squeal perhaps.

BilboBlaggin · 24/01/2025 17:51

Shade17 · 24/01/2025 16:28

Did the engine actually start? If so it could be belt squeal perhaps.

The sound was immediate so I took the key straight out again. I’ll try again tomorrow. If it doesn’t start is it something else?

OP posts:
WRIGHZY · 24/01/2025 23:04

No, it's not something else.. if it won't start you'll need a new one I'm afraid.. It's worth phoning few places to get the best price

BilboBlaggin · 25/01/2025 13:10

Good news. I tried again and, though it squealed for a moment, it caught and then ran lovely. Thanks both for your comments. It's going on Monday (car buying company) so just needed it running.

OP posts:
twinklingturtle · 25/01/2025 13:23

It may be that the timing belt just needs to be tightened. We have an older small car that my DC use when home for university. It quite often screeches when it is started after a not being used for a long time, it lessens as it is driven. My DH tightens it, it's not a big job.

Shade17 · 25/01/2025 16:31

twinklingturtle · 25/01/2025 13:23

It may be that the timing belt just needs to be tightened. We have an older small car that my DC use when home for university. It quite often screeches when it is started after a not being used for a long time, it lessens as it is driven. My DH tightens it, it's not a big job.

That is most certainly NOT the timing belt, it’ll be the aux/serpentine belt. If your timing belt needs tightening you’ve got a serious issue.

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