What is turning over?

Question

Why do people always say "my car won't turn over" or "it tries to turn over" And lets not forget that other one "catch" What the heck are they talking about? It's called cranking & starting people!

It was just a little joke folks. I know exactly what they are talking about but it drives me crazy everytime I read it. Kinda like when they call their wheels "rims"

Answer 1

i own a repair shop,and try answering about over eleven thousand questions trying to figure this out,after a while you get use to it,and you can tell what they mean from it,but for a while it will confuse you a little,after almost a year on here I'm used to it now,and can pretty well tell what they mean,but it takes a lot of practice believe me,good luck hope this helps.

Answer 2

Its just short hand for the engine cranking, kindof a mechanics lengo so to speak. The "catch" means that the engine started. so if someone said my car turns over but wont catch just means the engine cranks but doesn't start.

Answer 3

no matter what the engine isn't turning over and firing,cranking is a term used from the old days of model t's when you had to hand crank them to start

Answer 4

when you have the key turnd all the way back, your engine is cranking over, meanin the crankshaft is going round and round. the crank is what the pistons are attached to and they go up and down, and on the combustion stroke the spark plug ignites the fuel, and hopefully starts and keeps the engine running.

Answer 5

Are you on crank or something, maybe this is why you are so upset???

Answer 6

Means it wont start. Engine spins when you try to start, but it wont run.

Answer 7

So.....no question here, then.