MummertsMowing

it seems to turn over fine, the batterys are a couple months old. my car has 95000 miles on it, would needing a new timing belt make it start harder? what do u guys think it could b?

MindBomber

needing a new timing belt would not make it harder to start.

Check to ensure the connections on the battery are firmly attached and clean, as well as the ground wires.

MummertsMowing

ok i can check that out, what bout the fuel filter or spark plugs?

MindBomber

Our cars don't have a fuel filter, they have a strainer in the gas tank that serves a similar purpose though, it would need to be a long way gone to cause starting problems. If you think that may be part of the problem then you could test the fuel pressure. Spark plugs are also unlikely, if you're still using the original plugs then they should definitely be replaced though.

MummertsMowing

ok, well i forgot to say that sometimes when it starts it runs real slow and rough then quits, and the oil light comes on..then i try starting it again and it runs normal..i just changed the oil last week, and just checked it and its fine?

MindBomber

Oh now that's information that would have been helpful in the first post.

It sounds like your oil pump isn't functioning properly, causing insufficient lubrication within the engine, that's what's causing the engine to run rough, stall and the oil light to flash. If it is the oil pump causing insufficient lubrication then driving could cause serious damage.

MummertsMowing

so i should b able to hook it up to a scanner and find out if thats the problem then right?

MindBomber

No, it's tough to diagnose a bad oil pump, you'll need to install an oil pressure gauge to test how well it's functioning.

Cut your oil filter apart as well, that will reveal if there is sludge build up in the engine causing the pump to have difficulty in moving the oil.

MummertsMowing

thanks for ur help. so any other ideas? is it ok to drive, like i said it runs normal just hard to start?

MindBomber

You said it's hard to start, then the oil light flashes and it stalls.

If the engine is being starved of oil for any amount of time then it is causing damage that will lead to severe problems in time.

MummertsMowing

very true, well i thank you, and hope ur wrong... but i think u may be right..lol

MindBomber

I hope I'm wrong too

It could just be sludge build up causing the oil pump to have difficulty moving the oil before it hits operating temperature, so definitely cut the oil filter apart and post some pictures if you can. Sludge isn't a big deal if that is the problem, you might need to take the oil pan off to clean it out and do a couple oil changes on short intervals but that would take care of it.

MummertsMowing

o wow, i just remembered that my last oil change i started using synthetic oil? would that have knocked sludge loose?? sry i keep forgetting this info.

MindBomber

Yes, it absolutely could break some sludge loose.

Lots of us would recommend not switching to synthetic at 95k miles for that very reason.

MummertsMowing

so should i keep using synthetic or go back now?