Help - Elantra not starting - Turning over but not sounding right

[baurebu]

Hi,
I hope somebody can help. Got into my 05 elantra this morning ready to go to work and it wouldn't start. It turns over but doesn't sound like it would start. I tried twice, no start. Nothing. I have a new battery and starter sounds like it is working too. It just didn't sound like usually when i start the car. It is kinda hard to explain. Let me try to explain it. Sounded like it was spinning more freely. Kinda like there was less load on it. The car has 117,000 miles on it. I hope it doesn't have to do with the timing belt because i was just about to get it replaced.

If it is the timing belt, what are some of the things I can do to test and see whats wrong? Is there anything that would let me know without removing the timing belt cover?

I hope somebody has some ideas.

Thanks

[someguy]

On the belts start with a visual inspection. Make sure they are still there and all of the teeth are intact.

[baurebu]

Do you mean inspecting the timing belt? How much of a hassle is it to get the cover off and get a good look at the belt?

[Em-squared]

Just wanted to say baurebu.

[someguy]

Originally Posted by baurebu

Do you mean inspecting the timing belt? How much of a hassle is it to get the cover off and get a good look at the belt?

Dont know, never worked on this car before but in most cars the cover is just held on by a few bolts that you have to get to from top and bottom.

Sign up for a free account here for more info https://www.hyundaitechinfo.com/ (must use IE web browser) Also thsi guy wrote a guide to change timing belt Timing Belt Replacement 2004 Elantra With 2.0 Engine

I would also check the accessory belt(s)

[baurebu]

thanks someguy. I will check the belts tonight when i get home to see if i see anything.
I guess I will let my wife crank the car and see if my accessory belt spins. If that is ok i will check the timing belt out. If it is the timing belt, will me trying to start the car cause any damage to the valves and pistons because of the kind of motor it is? I know it can cause damage if the belt brakes while driving.

Originally Posted by Em-squared

Just wanted to say baurebu.

Hi

[baurebu]

Just wanted to come back and tell everybody what i found in case somebody else has the same problem.

Checked the belt accessory belt. It turned when trying to crank the car. check.

Took off the dust cover and inspected the timing belt. Looked good and turned just fine when trying to crank the car. check.

Checked spark plugs. Horrible condition. Replaced them and my car is back on the road this morning.

Now I am wondering if the dealership didn't replace my sparkplugs at the 60k service.

[someguy]

Glad you got it fixed. Assuming your 60k service was a few years ago a lot can happen in that time.

[sargeants]

Do you have a pic of the plugs? Any signs of fouling or poor spark? It might give a better estimate as to age of the plug. But yea, 50K is a long time ago, so who knows what's happened in that time.

[santa06]

Platinum plugs can last up to 100k miles , but regular plugs roughly half that , so it depends type of plug used. How old are the wires, bad wires can foul the plugs.

If you spent large amount of time trying to start engine, an oil change might be a good idea. Lots of unburnt fuel goes into the oil if you had two or three fouled plugs from a no start.