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[BazaJT]

The other week step daughters Meriva broke down.She said she saw a puff of smoke from under the bonnet[although this might have been steam from a small water leak it had developed now hopefully cured]The engine cut out as she slowed/stopped at a roundabout and wouldn't re-start.The engine turns over[despite what the RAC man told her when he attended-he said it was turning over too quickly]it sounds to me as though it's not turning over fast enough.The battery has been fully charged,there's fuel getting to the fuel rail and a spark at the plugs.When you let go of the key it doesn't immediately spring back,for a fraction of a second it keeps the starter turning and despite the small water leak there was still some coolant visible in the header tank.The car is a 12 plate Meriva B with the 1.4 A14 XER petrol engine.I'm thinking ignition switch and/or starter motor what do you guys think?

[Doctor Gollum]

Run Kevin's Battery test and report back.

Does it run ok once started?

[BazaJT]

It doesn't start at all.

[Doctor Gollum]

Compression test done?

Timing still set correctly?

Any other symtoms?

[BazaJT]

Compression ok not had chance for a decent look at timing but I don't see how/why the timing would suddenly got out of wack.I don't know if these are interference engines or not but there's no sound of valves/pistons meeting.No other symptoms I can think of,just seems to turn over slower than I think it should[could just be my impression though].She's had a look for codes and none are showing.

[dave the builder]

I thought snapped timing chain or spun cam shaft cog  or snapped camshaft
have you checked compression with a gauge ?
the key can jam in the crank position and could damage the starter
if you suspect the barrel ,WD40 it and wiggle it and get the barrel springing correctly
ignition switch faulty is also a possibility ,i've had that before but as it's cranking ,may be OK 

[henryd]

I thought snapped timing chain or spun cam shaft cog  or snapped camshaft
have you checked compression with a gauge ?
the key can jam in the crank position and could damage the starter
if you suspect the barrel ,WD40 it and wiggle it and get the barrel springing correctly
ignition switch faulty is also a possibility ,i've had that before but as it's cranking ,may be OK

seen that a couple of times on a z12xep Corsa

[dave the builder]

I thought snapped timing chain or spun cam shaft cog  or snapped camshaft
have you checked compression with a gauge ?
the key can jam in the crank position and could damage the starter
if you suspect the barrel ,WD40 it and wiggle it and get the barrel springing correctly
ignition switch faulty is also a possibility ,i've had that before but as it's cranking ,may be OK

seen that a couple of times on a z12xep Corsa

the 1.4 is pretty much the same engine block and cylinder head ,same chain etc 
lets hope it's something more simple to fix in this case

[Marks DTM Calib]

Pull the rocker cover and check everything is turning when cranked, dead easy on these engines 

[BazaJT]

Thanks chaps a couple more suggestions there for me to check.Will be at least the weekend before I can get another look at it,but I'm taking all ideas onboard.I've passed on to her the idea of WD40 in ignition barrel as that's something she can do when she's home from work or has a spare moment.

[BazaJT]

After these many months finally got to have a reasonable look at the car.Compression test[cold engine] showed figures of 79 54 54 75[cylinders 1-4 respectively]number 2 spark plug was blacker than the other three which all appeared the same colour.Managed to get it to start,the revs surged between just under 1,000 to 2,000 three or four times settled for a couple of seconds at just below 1,000 rose up to 2,000 again before dropping back to an even idle just under 1,000.Large amounts of white smoke came from the tailpipe with wisps of white smoke from behind the heatshield just below exhaust manifold and taking the cap off the header tank produced lots of white smoke out of the tank although the coolant level seemed to remain constant.

[dave the builder]

did you hold the throttle body open when doing compression test ?
on a Meriva etc ,that is key on, floor the accelerator while cranking  i think
those figures are low and uneven 
a tiny amount of coolant leaking into a cylinder will make a lot of steam/smoke .(headgasket fail or similar issue)
water ,coolant or oil in the exhaust from a previous issue or current issue will steam or smoke

the white smoke or steam from the header tank sounds very bad 
wisps of white smoke from behind the heatshield on the manifold  blowing manifold or failed headgasket unless it's just previous spills burning off perhaps

have you checked the oil for water/coolant ? (though this does not always happen with head gasket fail etc)

is the car still under warranty of the previous repair ?

[BazaJT]

Yes to having the throttle floored.No coolant in oil or vice versa.No longer under warranty from previous head gasket failure either sadly.When the gasket failed previously all the coolant in the header tank was sucked straight out of it and blown out of the exhaust in a cloud of smoke/steam.This time the smoke/steam seems denser and longer lasting plus this time there is the smoke/steam present from the header tank which was also quite a dense cloud.We're talking over her options[it's still on some kind of finance deal]as she now hates the car doesn't want it and will never fully trust it again.

[henryd]

After these many months finally got to have a reasonable look at the car.Compression test[cold engine] showed figures of 79 54 54 75[cylinders 1-4 respectively]number 2 spark plug was blacker than the other three which all appeared the same colour.Managed to get it to start,the revs surged between just under 1,000 to 2,000 three or four times settled for a couple of seconds at just below 1,000 rose up to 2,000 again before dropping back to an even idle just under 1,000.Large amounts of white smoke came from the tailpipe with wisps of white smoke from behind the heatshield just below exhaust manifold and taking the cap off the header tank produced lots of white smoke out of the tank although the coolant level seemed to remain constant.

Those compressions are very low if in psi, I would expect over 150 and maybe nearer 200 on a healthy motor

[Doctor Gollum]

Not to say 'I told you so' Again. But...

You might get some recourse/leverage out of the finance company, especially if it is lease/pcp (as it is technically their car)...

If it's on straight HP and over 50% paid, then ring them up to come and get it. As long as it runs, is MoTd and taxed, they can't say anything beyond 'what time is convenient?'