Car not starting

1997 Vauxhall Astra
Car: Vauxhall Astra
Year: 1997
Categories: Running Rough, Starting & Power Loss
When the ignition is turned the starter motor turns over well and the spark plugs are firing (allbeit not as brightly as I expected) but the engine does not start. There appears to be a leak of fuel from the carberetta (I think that's what it is called, its mounted behine the rocker box and is ultimately connected to the air filter)there is a seal between the carb and it's cover, and this seal is split.

What doea anyone think, could this leak prevent any fuel getting to the pistons preventing ignition?

Thanks for your help.
Problem added: Feb 26, 2008 (16 years ago)
Hi,your car not starting could be so many things,sounds like a problem that can only be fixed,by some one who knows what to look for,(with this problem)ie,was the car running ok,did it show any symptoms of a problem?,it could be a split in a fuel line,could be that you are not getting enough spark to fire,causing you to flood your plugs,,stopping the car from starting
you say you can see a split in the seal,from carb, to air system,dont think that is stopping your car from starting,but if you can get some one to look at your car,(who knows what they are doing),sounds to me like an easy problem to spot ,and to sort out,(think you have to be there with this problem)sorry
Answered Feb 27, 2008 (16 years ago)
Yes the car had problems with cutting out in the mornings, but would always start up again, and after fifteen minutes it was fine all day. Then one day wile driving in full flow it just went dead and has not started since. I have installed new plugs and sparks, still no joy.
Answered Feb 27, 2008 (16 years ago)
sounds to me like fuel starvation are the plugs wet after you have tried to start it if so then the engine is getting the fuel but if they are dry then you have a blockage in the fuel line so i would then replace the fuel filter but also get some carb cleaner in aerosol form as this will blast away any muck that might be in the carb causing the problem
Answered Feb 27, 2008 (16 years ago)
Only one of the plugs is wet, the rest are dry and no sign of firing.
Answered Feb 28, 2008 (16 years ago)
My astra is turning over but not starting any 1 know why this is?

Answered Dec 9, 2011 (12 years ago)
I have a problem with starting the machine.I think the problem is the Fuel injection pump and can you send me pattern of that pump and where could be the problem?
Answered Oct 25, 2012 (11 years ago)

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