Q: What can cause engine not to crank

asked by on September 29, 2016

A month ago motor blew front middle plug out of cylinder. Had new helicoil installed and did same thing on same cylinder. Now when turn key motor won't crank at all.

My car has 193000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Spark Plugs Replacement $113.11 - $716.47 Get a Quote

Hi, thanks for writing in. This can happen for many reasons such as over torquing the plugs when tightening them, or previously stripped threads in the cylinder. In either case, the result is the plug will result in being blown out of the cylinder which is a very dangerous situation as the potentially raw fuel coming out of the cylinder can be ignited by the plug hanging from the wire.

If you would like help, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office to inspect and replace the spark plug.

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

How do I set up the HandsFreeLink system?
The “system setup” command allows you to change security options by setting a passcode for the entire system (like the PIN that protects your phonebooks). To access this function, just: Press the talk button Say “system setup” Listen to the...
Alternator not charging
All the battery cables and engine ground cables need to have a voltage drop test done to determine whether one or more cables are not making a good connection, or the cable has a defective connector crimp. I recommend that...
Eml, dmc, brake warning lights. No start
The BMW models are notable for going into "limp" mode or "safe" mode when one or more vehicle systems are not operating correctly. This is a difficult issue to diagnose without more information. I would recommend having an expert mechanic,...
Car shaking
Hello. This vehicle uses a center driveshaft support bearing (carrier bearing) on the rear driveshaft. This is a commonly known issue that I have seen go bad and cause vibrations around that speed. To confirm this, I recommend having a...
My truck squeaks on the right side when driving. Always when driving over bumps 2004 Dodge Ram 1500
Hi - suspension noises like your squeak (https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/suspension-up-front-makes-a-ton-of-noise-creaks) are challenging at best. And, your truck uses torsion bars for suspending the weight of the front end rather than coil springs. This introduces additional bushings which seem to squeak more than...
Has 135000 miles on original spark plugs. Car runs smooth and averages 23 mpg. It's hard for me to fix it if it ain't broke.
Spark plugs are replaced on a manufacturer specified maintenance schedule, in part due to plug gap erosion. Regular replacement at the 90,000 mile service interval interval that is specified for you model year also prevents a circumstance where the plug...
PASS AIRBAG OFF light
If the seat is unoccupied, the light will stay "on" continuously. There are other circumstances under which the light may stay on though, including low weight on the seat, the seat belt is buckled but there is no seat occupant...
Can the fact that my long term fuel trim is -1.6 and short term is -2.3 be the cause of a P0422 on my 2000 Hyundai accent?
Hi Ashley. Thanks for contacting us today. The fuel trim numbers might be a symptom of the error code you are receiving, but not the source of the code. The P0422 OBD-II trouble code (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0422-obd-ii-trouble-code-main-catalyst-efficiency-below-threshold-by-brady-klopfer) suggests that the catalyst efficiency...
Problem with RPM
What you are describing sounds like a dirty or failing idle air control valve. The idle air control valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idle-control-valve-replacement) monitors the air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the engine at low speeds...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Dodge Ram
While While Chrysler has decided to give Ram its very own division, it seems impossible not to think of the Ram 1500 as a Dodge. After all, you’ll still buy your 2012 Ram at a Dodge dealer, and it remains...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Farmer
If If you're a farmer, you know that what you need isn’t a used car – it’s a used pickup truck. How else are you going to haul around hay, implements, garden produce, fertilizer, and all the other things you...
Industry News for Automotive Techs: November 5 - November 11
Tesla buys Grohmann Engineering, Ferrari's future hybrids, next-gen Dodge Charger and Challenger, Nissan e-Power system, and YourMechanic recognition.