No start just like the other guy..

I don't want to hijack your thread but I seem to be having the same issue as the OP and a separate thread seemed redundant. I was able to get my wife's car started by jump starting it. I put a new battery in it and it ran ok. It idled a little low and died a few times when stopping in traffic but started up right away and kept running. Since I had the hood up and was poking around the engine I decided to go ahead and change it last night since it was due. After the oil change it would not start again. It was late and I didn't have much time to do any troubleshooting but wanted to ask if anyone had any ideas how an oil change might affect the cars ability to start. I've changed the oil in my own vehicles since I first owned a car (25 years+) so I'm no stranger to the procedure, however it's the first time I've changed it in this car. I bought the 5Qt jug but stopped shy of adding the entire contents of the jug. I don't know exactly how much oil I added but worst case is probably 4.5 qts. I haven't needed to work on this engine in the 6 months that I've owned this car but at this point I'm clueless about the quirks of this particular engine. The car will turn over but will not fire. I plan to check the spark plugs tonight and I've also read that a faulty O2 sensor may cause the low idle. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I also have the same vehicle as the OP, 2004. (and if you'd like me to start my own thread, no problem)

if changing your oil "killed" the car, check the oil pressure sensor and report back..

Can you elaborate on what I should check on the oil pressure sensor? The only thing I've ever done regarding sensors was replacing the O2 sensor in my wife's old Plymouth Breeze.

its a pressure switch on the oil pump, if the oil change is actually related to it not starting, the oil pressure sensor would be why.

if you unplug and/or jump the sensor, it will start if that is the issue. dont leave it hanging while running too long, and also dont drive it / run it long, as you might actually have low oil pressure and not a bad sensor, just see if it starts.

After either solving or eliminating that, the diagnosis can point elsewhere.



i would also check for fuel and spark.

Found the problem. I'm assuming this is due to a faulty valve cover gasket? Pulled the plug wires and there is oil down in the cylinders.

http://www.aveoforum.com/forum/attac...y-imag0090-jpg

Or a faulty valve cover...what year is your aveo?

2004. I'm really puzzled as to how the oil got into that top "pan" as shown in the pic. I used a funnel when filling it with oil yesterday and I'm absolutely sure there was no overspill.

either thru the spark plug tube gasket, or a crack in the valve cover, or you spilt some when pouring the new oil in (it happens). I'd pull off that spark plug wire and clean it off. Also see if theres any on the actual spark plug. then reconnect and see if it starts

I'll give that a shot before I take it apart any further. Just a note though, I was having problems with it starting before I changed the oil. I think the adding of oil exacerbated the problem I was having before. It was low on oil before I changed it. ???

well if the spark plug tube gaskets gave out, and you filled the head with oil it would just fill up the park plug tubes while it runs down the oil return..

this seems like it is a viable answer, has it started? i find it hard to believe it would be a total no start other than oil change issue, but it definitely would run like total crap..

I wiped everything up and cleaned the plug wires the best I could and tried to start it again. no deal. it appears there is oil leaking down into the tubes from the valve cover/head interface. Guess I'll go ahead and change the valve cover gasket. The plugs appear to be new as viewed from the top side. I haven't removed one yet though.

get new ones while your doing the valve cover gasket.

might consider new wires too..

but this still might not be the answer to the no start.. but is most likely the answer to the crappy running.

Here's what I found when I lifted the valve cover. Changing the plugs and gasket tonight. The plug wires appear to be in almost brand new condition so I'm going to try some electrical parts cleaner/degreaser on them first. If that doesn't work I'll replace them. I really appreciate everyone's feedback. All four of the plug cylinders were in nearly the same condition as shown in the pics. No evidence of any cracking in the valve cover after a cursory inspection. Gonna run it through the parts cleaner this evening and inspect it more carefully.

http://www.aveoforum.com/forum/attac...y-imag0099-jpghttp://www.aveoforum.com/forum/attac...y-imag0100-jpg

Simple question but hows your battery life?

Battery was replaced on Wednesday.

just watch what kind of solution you have in the parts washer.. the "good stuff" is for metal parts only and will distort, eat away at plastic parts like the valve cover..

Anyone know what the torque spec is for the valve cover bolts? No Chiltons or Haynes manual available for this car? What's up with that?

89 in lbs.

SHE'S ALIVE!!!! After replacing the valve cover gasket, plugs, and plug wires she still wouldn't start. Turns out those components were all in bad shape and I'm glad they've been replaced but it turns out that petrified.rabbit was correct, it wasn't the cause of the no start. I ended up pulling the oil pressure sensor as suggested, cleaning the sensor and connector ends off, and reinstalling it. Had to jump start it but she fired right up! I'm a little puzzled as to why this caused the no start though. Anyway, thanks to everyone for your input and hopefully this info will help the next guy having this problem. Thanks again everyone!

Pic shows the plugs in the condition in which they were removed.
http://www.aveoforum.com/forum/attac...y-imag0104-jpg

the sensor cuts either spark or fuel to prevent damage if you run it out of oil.. so if the sensor thinks you have no oil (or not enough) in it, it will kill the engine..

Good thread guys. I am glad I found this forum because now I am having the same problems. Let me give you some history. I got a 2004 Aveo. Father-in-law gave us the car because he just didn't want it anymore. Who am I to turn down something free especially when its a car? After accepting his generous act, I started looking over the car and noticed that he hadn't done a darn thing to this car. For you northerners, he neglected the car and didn't do any preventitive maintenance.

The common problem...Valve cover gasket..Oil in the spark plug holes. Spark plugs soaked in oil and wires wet from the oil.

After pulling the spark plugs, I immediately diagnosed the problem and replaced the valve cover gasket. I am no fool, I also replaced the spark plugs and carefully inspected the car for other problems. I was thinking about replacing the wires but thought I would wait to see how the plugs would perform.

Everything was good until I saw smoke from the exhaust. Smoke? I carefully checked the plugs holes to see if i had somehow installed the gasket wrong. Everything looked good. Why the smoke? Do think the excess oil in the cylinder is being burned off? Or maybe some oil got past the exhaust valve in the head. What do you think?

the oil probably made it into the cylinder when you pulled the plug. if it doesnt go away after some running (day or two at most), then it will be time to look into other possible causes. Just check the oil level for now.

Just wanted to add an update. Last weekend I had the same no start condition that started this thread. After more head scratching than I'm willing to admit, I removed the oil pressure sensor for a closer inspection and found that the electrical contacts were heavily corroded. I scraped off the corrosion with a razor knife and cleaned them further with some electrical contact cleaner. I then added some dielectric grease and plugged it back in. Fired right up. It's my guess that this was my issue all along and unplugging and re-seating the electrical contacts worked temporarily the last time I went through this (I did NOT inspect or clean the contacts the last time). Lesson learned for anyone else who may have this problem arise. Now, if I could only figure out how to get the rear brake assembly off so that I can replace the wheel bearings.....

Hi, my problem is oil soaked plugs totally, threads, electrode, oil just dripping off the plug when I took them out. Also a puddle of oil on top of the piston, I don't think this is a valve cover gasket in my case. I'm thinking valve guides or seals. I just put new plugs in it and I will check it once a week, when they get soaked again I will take it to the dealer ( I bought an extended warrenty) I will report my findings later. This should not be happening at 45000 miles!!!!!!!!!