What to Do When the Car Won't Start After Being Parked for a Long Time?
2 Answers
When this situation occurs, you can jump-start the engine. After starting the engine, the generator will rotate, which can charge the battery. If the battery is severely depleted, it is recommended to use a professional charger to recharge the battery. Here are some reasons why a car may not start: 1. It may be due to insufficient battery power, excessive carbon buildup in the idle motor, intake tract, intake valve, and combustion chamber. 2. Issues with the fuel injector, such as leaks or excessive carbon buildup, can cause the air-fuel mixture to be too lean during startup, leading to the engine not starting. 3. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked for a long time, the oil seal may experience uneven force around its perimeter, leading to permanent deformation. A deformed oil seal is very likely to cause oil leaks.
That day my car had been parked for almost half a year without moving. When I came back and tried to start it, there was no response at all, which made me extremely anxious. My first thought was that the battery was dead – when left unused for long periods, car batteries gradually discharge and become useless. I quickly found a friend to help jump-start my car using jumper cables connected to his car's battery, and it started right up. Old batteries are prone to problems, especially in winter, so I recommend keeping a set of jumper cables in your car just in case. Additionally, if engine oil hasn't been changed for too long, it can thicken, creating more resistance during startup; or spark plugs might get damp and develop poor contact. To prevent these issues, it's best to start the engine every two weeks before parking it for long, letting it run for about five minutes to recharge. If the engine shakes violently after starting, it might be due to clogged fuel lines – try mixing in some fresh gasoline. Most importantly, don't force-start the car repeatedly, as you could burn out the starter motor, which would be even more troublesome.
