New head, timing belt, now the car won't start...

raen419 · 08-25-2007, 08:43 PM

Hey guys,
Here's the background story:
1.6 w/ new(ish) head and seals and whatnot.
Got the wiring all plugged up and the timing set, and the car will almost turn over, but I don't think I'm getting spark.
The plugs are only about 4 months old, and were only actually in the car (before I decided to pull the engine and fix/replace the head) for a day. Wires have about 25-30k miles on them so I'm considering replacing those. And everything in the car ran fine until 2 of my lifters collapsed and I decided to pull the head and replace it w/ a lower mileage one than rebuild.

So, what do you think the problem could be?
The car and original block/head had 170k miles on them so things are bound to wear out. Btw, this is a late model 91 we're talking about. Coilpacks maybe?

BobMunob · 08-26-2007, 11:19 AM

When cranking, just pull a wire off of the coil and see if it arcs, dont touch the wire tho, just set it near the pack, not arc, no spark. If it has spark, take one of the plugs out, hook it up to the wire, and then ground it out. crank the car and see if the plug has spark.
I would check the timing tho.

Gripper · 08-26-2007, 11:25 AM

Make sure your fuel lines aren't backwards...I did that once ha. Other than that ??? maybe check the conections all over, maybe the timing is not set correct.

raen419 · 08-26-2007, 08:01 PM

The timing is set correctly. I reset it yesterday b/c somehow I got the crank and cams off by like...well...30* or so (sleep deprivation + car work = bad). The fuel lines may be backwards. I had to put new ones on b/c the old ones were cracked and leaking so I'll check that tomorrow.

turbored · 08-26-2007, 08:24 PM

rear line off fuel line goes to the front hard line.

raen419 · 08-26-2007, 08:47 PM

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind when I get home from work in the morning. I'm betting thats the problem. If not...well....I'm clueless unless I'm just not getting spark.

raen419 · 08-27-2007, 11:46 AM

Fuel lines are in properly.
My best guess now (after a search on M.net) is low battery power. I'll charge it this evening and see what happens when I get home Tuesday morning from work.
Any other ideas. I found 1.8 coilpacks for cheap so I may pick up those since I have cash to spare.

Hell, I may just replace my whole ignition system (minus ignotion switch itself) since its all factory original.

Bryan · 08-27-2007, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raen419 @ Mon Aug 27, 2007 12:46 pm

Fuel lines are in properly.
My best guess now (after a search on M.net) is low battery power. I'll charge it this evening and see what happens when I get home Tuesday morning from work.
Any other ideas. I found 1.8 coilpacks for cheap so I may pick up those since I have cash to spare.

Hell, I may just replace my whole ignition system (minus ignotion switch itself) since its all factory original.

Wait...who suggested checking the battery?

Also keep in mind that 1.6L coil packs are different from 1.8L coil packs. In addition, I seem to recall that even the 1.8 'packs are not all created equally.

gunwoo · 08-27-2007, 01:20 PM

are you getting any fuel pressure

raen419 · 08-27-2007, 08:04 PM

Yep. Plenty of pressure. Found out injector 4 had a bad Oring thanks to some good fuel pressure, lol.

Bryan, if it the battery, I'll buy you and Christy dinner sometime

Bryan · 08-27-2007, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raen419 @ Mon Aug 27, 2007 9:04 pm

Yep. Plenty of pressure. Found out injector 4 had a bad Oring thanks to some good fuel pressure, lol.

Bryan, if it's the battery, I'll buy you and Christy dinner sometime

Glad you found the leaky o-ring. Fuel leak + Hot engine = Not Good #-o

eunos1 · 08-27-2007, 11:10 PM

I'm sorry I don't mean to insult your intelligence but are you sure that the plug wires are in the right place? Its been goofed up quite a few times when tired by many a good mechanic so thought I'd throw it out there! Also I' m curious how you set the timing without the car starting? For my info, not questioning, just wanted to know.

FooSchnickens · 08-27-2007, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eunos1 @ Mon Aug 27, 2007 11:10 pm

I'm sorry I don't mean to insult your intelligence but are you sure that the plug wires are in the right place? Its been goofed up quite a few times when tired by many a good mechanic so thought I'd throw it out there! Also I' m curious how you set the timing without the car starting? For my info, not questioning, just wanted to know.

Guilty

But I was fully awake when I did it

eunos1 · 08-27-2007, 11:37 PM

I said good mechanics!!! LOL JK

Yeah actually it took way to long to get my last swap done with the 1.8 conversion. Worked on it from 7:30 in the A.M. to 1:15 in the next A.M. and finally realizing it was the stupid 1.8 I just put in and not the 1.6 so the last 1 1/2hrs was wasted on plug wires!!!!

raen419 · 08-28-2007, 11:42 AM

No offense taken.
The plug wires haven't been unplugged from the coilpacks at all. And since they only fit one way on the 1.6 (in the head, that is) well....I think they're in there right, lol.

Man, I'd much rather be playing with a 13b. Sooooooooo much simpler.

08-25-2007, 08:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
raen419 Supporting Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pinson, AL Posts: 1,653	New head, timing belt, now the car won't start... Hey guys, Here's the background story: 1.6 w/ new(ish) head and seals and whatnot. Got the wiring all plugged up and the timing set, and the car will almost turn over, but I don't think I'm getting spark. The plugs are only about 4 months old, and were only actually in the car (before I decided to pull the engine and fix/replace the head) for a day. Wires have about 25-30k miles on them so I'm considering replacing those. And everything in the car ran fine until 2 of my lifters collapsed and I decided to pull the head and replace it w/ a lower mileage one than rebuild. So, what do you think the problem could be? The car and original block/head had 170k miles on them so things are bound to wear out. Btw, this is a late model 91 we're talking about. Coilpacks maybe?
	__________________ Man, you know what reminds me of a 240sx? The 1984 Cadillac Eldorado. - VitaminT

08-26-2007, 11:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
BobMunob Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: titsville, florida Posts: 675	Re: New head, timing belt, now the car won't start... When cranking, just pull a wire off of the coil and see if it arcs, dont touch the wire tho, just set it near the pack, not arc, no spark. If it has spark, take one of the plugs out, hook it up to the wire, and then ground it out. crank the car and see if the plug has spark. I would check the timing tho.

08-26-2007, 11:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
Gripper Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Odessa, TX Posts: 1,096	Make sure your fuel lines aren't backwards...I did that once ha. Other than that ??? maybe check the conections all over, maybe the timing is not set correct.
	__________________ http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...Stuff/sig2.jpg - Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a ride"-

08-26-2007, 08:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
raen419 Supporting Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pinson, AL Posts: 1,653	The timing is set correctly. I reset it yesterday b/c somehow I got the crank and cams off by like...well...30* or so (sleep deprivation + car work = bad). The fuel lines may be backwards. I had to put new ones on b/c the old ones were cracked and leaking so I'll check that tomorrow.
	__________________ Man, you know what reminds me of a 240sx? The 1984 Cadillac Eldorado. - VitaminT

08-26-2007, 08:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
raen419 Supporting Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pinson, AL Posts: 1,653	Thanks. I'll keep that in mind when I get home from work in the morning. I'm betting thats the problem. If not...well....I'm clueless unless I'm just not getting spark.
	__________________ Man, you know what reminds me of a 240sx? The 1984 Cadillac Eldorado. - VitaminT

08-26-2007, 08:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
turbored CR.net Supporter Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 1,390	rear line off fuel line goes to the front hard line.

08-27-2007, 11:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
raen419 Supporting Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pinson, AL Posts: 1,653	Fuel lines are in properly. My best guess now (after a search on M.net) is low battery power. I'll charge it this evening and see what happens when I get home Tuesday morning from work. Any other ideas. I found 1.8 coilpacks for cheap so I may pick up those since I have cash to spare. Hell, I may just replace my whole ignition system (minus ignotion switch itself) since its all factory original.
	__________________ Man, you know what reminds me of a 240sx? The 1984 Cadillac Eldorado. - VitaminT

08-27-2007, 01:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
gunwoo Mazda Tech Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: irvine, CA Posts: 956	are you getting any fuel pressure
	__________________ http://www.gravylifestyle.com

08-27-2007, 08:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
raen419 Supporting Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pinson, AL Posts: 1,653	Yep. Plenty of pressure. Found out injector 4 had a bad Oring thanks to some good fuel pressure, lol. Bryan, if it the battery, I'll buy you and Christy dinner sometime
	__________________ Man, you know what reminds me of a 240sx? The 1984 Cadillac Eldorado. - VitaminT

08-27-2007, 11:10 PM	#12 (permalink)
eunos1 CR.net Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Woodstock,GA. Posts: 515	Re: New head, timing belt, now the car won't start... I'm sorry I don't mean to insult your intelligence but are you sure that the plug wires are in the right place? Its been goofed up quite a few times when tired by many a good mechanic so thought I'd throw it out there! Also I' m curious how you set the timing without the car starting? For my info, not questioning, just wanted to know.

08-27-2007, 11:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
eunos1 CR.net Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Woodstock,GA. Posts: 515	Re: New head, timing belt, now the car won't start... I said good mechanics!!! LOL JK Yeah actually it took way to long to get my last swap done with the 1.8 conversion. Worked on it from 7:30 in the A.M. to 1:15 in the next A.M. and finally realizing it was the stupid 1.8 I just put in and not the 1.6 so the last 1 1/2hrs was wasted on plug wires!!!!

08-28-2007, 11:42 AM	#15 (permalink)
raen419 Supporting Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pinson, AL Posts: 1,653	No offense taken. The plug wires haven't been unplugged from the coilpacks at all. And since they only fit one way on the 1.6 (in the head, that is) well....I think they're in there right, lol. Man, I'd much rather be playing with a 13b. Sooooooooo much simpler.
	__________________ Man, you know what reminds me of a 240sx? The 1984 Cadillac Eldorado. - VitaminT

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