hello my friend has a vauxhall corsa b, the head gasket went the other day, we was quite far from home so we turned around to head back when it completly died. we got it parked up safe and changed the head gasket. still failing to start turn ignition on go to start her up can hear the solanoid/starter motor click once, and lights go off and come back on again. tried bump starting it but it just rolls to a stop but engine is turning but not starting. i thought there could be a proble with fuel blockage or spark plugs gone as well any advise would be great asap please thankyou

confused, January 2009

hello. just done a head gasket on my 1.2 16v corsa b. when i tried to start it, it would turn over slow and pop back through the exhaust. suggesting timing. rechecked timing all ok. turns out on the inlet cam at the front there is a disc that the camshaft sensor reads from. when looking on the disc there is an arrow. i pointed the arrow 45 degrees to the left. ( there is a timing tool for this if you look it up on the net) and hey presto the beast burst into life. hope this helps

tony, April 2010

if you have replaced the head gasket and timing is correct. and u say the starter selonoid "fires" but wont turn over,
IT IS most probably a faulty starter motor, all corsa "B" built b4 1996 have the same problem of not starting, in the case of my last two cars, 1995 and 1993, they stopped working in middle of summer. the pin that engages the starter gear jams up. give it a tap with a long metal rod on the back end, (look straight down the righthand edge of the intake manifold). it it starts, then head for breakers yard n get new starter, about £25, and 3 bolts

J3DD, February 2010

Compression? if the head gasket went, Did he have the Head Skimmed to compensate for warping? if not then the repair you did was a waste of time.. Get stripping again.

Daniel Bradley, December 2009

Sounds surly like the timing is wrong.

Harry, May 2009

Sounds silly but as long as timing, spark and fuel is ok try the battery. if it is below 9V the ignition system will not operate. hence why it wont bump start. try jump leads or new battery.

Andy, February 2009

mm cud be sparks, but also possible wiring issues. you can pull the first spark out n test it on the head, tho it is not recomended in the book, ive dne it on 95 corsa b no problem. If it sparks it cud be fuel etc, make sure you can hear the fuel pump unda the back seat hum when u turn the key, if u can check engine fuel lines etc

Jimbo, January 2009

Have you checked that the timing is right

mike, January 2009