Changed timing belt, now won't start

Timberwolf530 · Post by **Timberwolf530** » 13 Jun 2010, 08:50

I changed my timing belt last night. It took forever to find the notch on the crank pulley, but I eventually got it all lined up. I got everything put back together this morning, and when I went to start it, it fired once then nothing. It is turinging over, but it will not fire. I took a couple plugs out and they are wet, and they are sparking. Any idea what's going on here?
I'm afraid I broke something. When I took everything apart last night, I lined the cam sprokets up where they were supposed to be, but I could not find the crank notch, so I marked the pulley with a sharpie. When I put everything back together, I lined it up just the way it was when I took it apart with the sharpie mark lined up with the mark on the engine. It started, but ran like crap, so I decided I need to find the notch. I posted on here last night and found it, so I lined it up with the notch. The actual notch was maybe 4 or 5 "valleys" over from where I marked with the sharpie, but that is where it has been since the car was new. How much off is enough to cause damage? I really hope I didn't kill my car.

creepingdeath94 · Post by **creepingdeath94** » 13 Jun 2010, 08:55

Did you turn the motor over by hand ( with a ratchet/socket) a few revolutions once you changed the belt? Does it sound normal as you turn it over...like it did before you changed the belt or does it sound like it turns over easier or like there is no compression? It could also be off a few teeth on the cam or the tensioner may have been off when you set it and the belt may be off a bit. If it fired once and shut off and wont restart...if the teeth are off it might be hard to start/won't start. Did you mark the cam gears before you did everything? If so, see if they are still aligned at #1 TDC based on your marks.

Timberwolf530 · Post by **Timberwolf530** » 13 Jun 2010, 09:09

Yes, I turned the motor over by hand with a socket on the crank. It alternates between turning easy and hard (like when the piston gets to the top of a cylinder). When I turn it over, it chugs, it doesn't seem to spin freely. Will a compression test tell me if I damaged anything?

creepingdeath94 · Post by **creepingdeath94** » 13 Jun 2010, 09:24

Did you have the spark plugs out when you rotated it the first time? It will go between turning pretty easy and a little more difficult normally anyway as there is resistance as you turn it over even with the spark plugs out, but if you did not hit a hard spot and proceed to turn it anyway until it gave way, you should be fine I would think. Have you checked the marks or anything to see if the teeth on the cam are lined up or if you are off a couple teeth? It wouldn't take but one or teeth I wouldn't think to give you trouble starting as the cam timing would be off some.

Post by **cn90** » 13 Jun 2010, 09:39

Yes,

Check all the marks one more time.
If necessary, re-align the timing belt again.
Hope you did not damage anything.

Best is take a few detailed photos and post them here so the gurus can help you.

Post by **JDS60R** » 13 Jun 2010, 09:56

Ok - sounds like you were off a few teeth. 4-5 teeth is on the edge of getting in trouble.

If I understand correctly the cams and crank mark are now correct so we can procede with looking for damage.

Pull the plugs and do a compression test (or leakdown) and report back. I am concerned about your intake valves.

Timberwolf530 · Post by **Timberwolf530** » 13 Jun 2010, 10:17

OK, I'll do a compression test. What should the compression be?

Post by **JDS60R** » 13 Jun 2010, 12:01

I wasn't sure what motor you had so the procedure covers both. I think you have an NA

By the way 1MPa = 145.0377psi
so for an NA
1.3 MPa =188.5491psi
1.5MPa= 217.5566psi
and for a turbo
1.1 MPA=159.5415psi
1.3 MPa =188.5491psi

Timberwolf530 · Post by **Timberwolf530** » 13 Jun 2010, 12:08

Well, I did the compression test. Obviously I couldn't get it up to operationg temps, because it won't run. I only tested cyliners 1-3 because they were at: #1 50, #2 60, #3 90, so I figure it's a goner. Now I guess my dilema is try to find a used engine, or buy a new car. I really hate to buy a new one, I really like the car, but I don't know if the car is worth spending the money to put a new engine in. Plus, I have no idea where to get one.

Post by **cn90** » 13 Jun 2010, 12:40

Don't give up yet.

Sometimes compression pressure is not up b/c of mis-timing, piston comes up when valve is open.

Check all timing marks, and re-align them!