Q: Crank No Start

asked by on September 08, 2016

I started my car then it turned off after a couple seconds now the engine will crank but it won't turn over. There is oil leaking from underneath the distributor. Could it be a broken timing belt or distributor O-ring?

My car has 131000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

Car is not starting Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

First I would like to apologize for the delay to your answer. I apparently did not click send when I first answered it.

The oil leaking from your distributor is not likely to cause a no start condition. Your timing belt certainly could. The easiest way to check for a broken timing belt is to take a compression check of each cylinder. If one or more are significantly low, your camshaft timing is certainly off and will need to be directly checked by disassembling the front of your motor and inspecting the timing marks.

Aside from the timing belt, you will need to check for spark, fuel pressure and injector pulse. Once you find what is missing, this will set you down the appropriate diagnostic path.

Last, there are two points that oil can leak from on your distributor. The mouniting o-ring and a seal inside the distributor. It is possible, but I have never seen it happen, for the seal in the distributor to leak so bad it will interfere with the spark in the distributor cap. This is easiy checked for by removing the distributor cap.

I recommend the following inspection if you should need further help. Car is not starting inspection, which can be performed by a certified technician from YourMechanic at your convenience.

Good luck!

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Weird problem using cruise control on hills
I did not have to look very far to find that this inconsistent shifting is a common issue across all models of the F-150 and transmissions used. Ford has several Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) that may cover your issue. The...
Car won't start after someone tried to steal it
Two systems in the column need to work for the engine to start. The ignition switch, and the anti-theft system. Your car has some version of the Passlock anti-theft. The ignition switch reads a specific resistance of your key and...
Car shudders and vibrates
The front crankshaft damper may have come apart and is not balancing the engine anymore. I recommend that you have a mechanic such as one from YourMechanic, come by and run a diagnosis on your car's vibration (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-shaking-or-vibrating-inspection), including an...
Car independently downshifts on startup
There seems to be a problem inside the transmission and the code that has turned on the Check Engine Light may point to it. Other vehicles having similar symptoms have had faulty torque converter clutch solenoids or line pressure solenoids....
My family is in the market for a used minivan. What advice would you give in terms of brand, miles ECT for the 2-5k market?
Hi there: When you read most online used car reviews, they typically articulate the same concerns you addressed; foreign cars typically lasting longer, but domestic having higher resale; etc. However, anytime I'm thinking about buying any used car, I consider...
Misfire happens at 1500 rpm's.
Hi there. Check the fuel injectors one at a time by disconnecting the harness and see if the engine stumbles or not. If the engine stumbles when the injector is turned off, then the injector was working. If the engine...
2007 rendezvous cxl where is fuel filter located at
This vehicle does not have a regular fuel filter but has a fuel strainer on the bottom of the fuel pump assembly inside the fuel tank.
How does eps work in a 2013 Dodge ram 1500? I replaced rack and pinion and still don't have power steering?
Hello. This system works with several inputs including vehicle speed and the steering angle sensor. If you are not getting any power assist then the system needs to be scanned for codes and the inputs checked to see what is...
Received code p0826 on my 2005 Chevy Malibu.
The code is for the cooling system sensor or thermostat and will cause the check engine light to come on. If the light is on then you will fail the emission test.

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy for Occasional Drivers
Not Not everyone relies on their car on a daily basis. Maybe you aren’t the type that deals with a daily commute, and running from here to there constantly. If that’s the case, you may be looking for a car...
How to Buy a Good Quality Distributor Rotor and Cap
When When your distributor cap or rotor goes bad you could be left stranded and unable to start your vehicle. The rotor is a whirling dervish of power distribution, transferring energy from the ignition coil, through the distributor cap, and...
How to Drive a Manual Transmission Car Without Using the Clutch
Manual transmissions have a clutch that allows you to change gears when needed. There may come a time when your clutch fails while you're on the road.