Q: Car potentially vapor locking, not starting.

asked by on January 04, 2016

Car will not start, but it does turn over. I think I might have gotten ripped off for a new distributor and I think the car is vapor locking. What is your hourly rate?

Hello, I would doubt that you have a vapor lock problem. A vapor lock problem usually only occurs when temperatures get hot enough to make the fuel near the pump vaporize. This is not your problem because the car is not even starting and the temperatures are at normal ambient temperature. You’ll need to have a figure out which of the 3 things you’re missing. They could be ignition, compression or fuel. A technician, such as one from YourMechanic, can help you find the problem. To test for spark you will need a spark plug tester and connect the spark plug wire to the test and turn the motor over to see, if your getting spark. you can test for fuel pretty easy. If you spray some starting fluid in the carburetor and start it, and it starts but dies that means you’re not getting fuel to the carburetor. If this is the case I would test fuel pressure at the fuel pump. If you’re getting fuel and spark, there may be a issue with the timing. If you recently had the distributor replaced then they may not have the correct timing set up. A technician from YourMechanic can come and inspect your vehicle, and it shouldn’t take more than an hour to pinpoint the problem.

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

Today I was driving and all of sudden my engine hot idle light sensor came on. I am waiting to check my coolant level out.
Is your Check Engine Light also on? If you do then, you should have a mechanic scan the computer to see what is causing the light to come on and what is causing your idling issue. This specific model has...
Key stuck in ignition
The problem may not be in the ignition switch but in the transmission shift linkage. Try and push the shifter up into park and turn the key at the same time. There are technical bulletins for the shift linkage causing...
Cannot remove the starter. 2001 Mitsubishi montero sport. V6 3000 24 valve
It may be necessary to remove the motor mount shield, disconnect the transmission cooler lines, and front axle actuator to have room to get starter out. If you need to have this done, a technician from YourMechanic can come to...
Why does car start when MAF sensor is cleaned with spray even after being disconnected
The MAF sensor may be not reading the correct altitude you are at and may see 10,000 ft when you are less than 500 feet. When you disconnect it the computer uses a set look up table stored in memory...
Banging sound at slow speed at left rear wheel well area
Hi there. Raise up the vehicle and check all of the suspension, sway bar, ball joints, and the shock absorbers. Makes sure that everything is tight. If everything is tight, lower the vehicle and do a bounce test on the...
I got code p0229
A P0229 is a fault in the throttle position sensor: the sensor that tells the computer how far you are stepping on the accelerator. On the Passat, it is part of the throttle body. The Throttle body has redundant sensors...
P0302 misfire, car won;t go past 25 mph
I am not sure if the mechanic who replaced your head ran a compression test after the head was replaced but if not I can think of a couple of possibilities both of which lead back to low compression. The...
08 Dodge ram 1500 , shifter will move thru all gears but will only engage reverse and park??
Check to make sure the shift cable end at transmission is okay and not worn out causing it not to get into gear. If it is okay then the transmission is damaged internally and will need to be computer tested...
I hooked jumper cables up backwards now my truck won't fire off without spraying starter fluid
Determine if the fuel pump is actually running. The fuel pump should run momentarily at key on to pressurize the system. If it isn't running, you have an electrical problem. If the pump runs momentarily as is required at key...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche
Few Few vehicles are as distinctive as the Chevrolet Avalanche. Part SUV, part truck, the Avalanche is actually surprisingly practical. On the inside, it feels more like a Chevy Tahoe, except when you look out your rearview mirror, you’ll notice...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Have a Tiny Parking Space
In In many cities parking spaces come at a premium, so you only want to purchase one small space. This small space will end up dictating what vehicle you purchase, so we’ve rounded up some great candidates. Must-haves Arm yourself...
How to Clean an Engine
As As cars get older, they tend to accumulate quite a bit of dirt and grime from those miles spent on roads and freeways. It does not help either that leftover fluids that had previously leaked from old repairs are...