Built KA-T wont start.

[DaveEEE]

After getting the head resurfaced and installing the cometic headgasket this weekend on my built KA, we cannot get it to run. At first, it wouldnt catch at all when cranking. Took distributor back out, was off a tooth, fired right up the next time. However, will idle at only about 300-400 for a few seconds and then die. I seem to have no throttle response so I cannot rev it and keep it alive. It just floods out the motor with fuel and soaks the spark plugs from trying to crank.

We checked the MAF, TPS, etc. All seem to have continuity. While checking the timing while starting, we cannot see the marks. Why is this? We set it to TDC, timing light flashes but does not show the marks. All harnesses seem to be connected, and it sounds fine while pressure testing, it doesnt seem as though there are any vaccum leaks. Once it does start however for the brief period, I didnt notice the boost gauge go into vaccum at all.

ECU doesnt throw any codes either. Our thought was it was something simple, such as a loose harness, bad sensor, or vaccum leak. But I feel as though we've ruled all those out. So, time to look back at the timing? What would the affect be if the bottom timing chain slipped off a tooth while we were supporting the upper chain changing the headgasket? Would it start at all like it does? I sure hope we dont have to take that bottom cover off.... Any thoughts? Its been 3 days and we cannot make any damn progress.

-Dave

[WAbernethy]

Are you sure the ignition wires didn't get crossed when you put it all back together? If the light was on #1 then you should have seen the marks. Maybe two are swapped and two are correct, the motor might run briefly on 2 cylinders. Maybe.

[DaveEEE]

Are you sure the ignition wires didn't get crossed when you put it all back together? If the light was on #1 then you should have seen the marks. Maybe two are swapped and two are correct, the motor might run briefly on 2 cylinders. Maybe.

Thank's, we'll check it. Update: Checked out fine...

[Pornflakes]

While checking the timing while starting, we cannot see the marks. Why is this? We set it to TDC, timing light flashes but does not show the marks. -Dave

That usually happens when the timing is WAAAY off. Did you remove the distributor when replacing the gasket? If so, maybe you skipped a tooth on the distributor. Maybe you skipped a tooth on the cam gears.

If you didn't check already:With piston #1 at perfect TDC, the cam lobes that are to the very front on the intake and exhaust cams should be pointing away from each other perfectly. Also, with #1 at TDC again, the dot on the cam gear should be at 9 o'clock for the intake cam, and 2 o'clock for the exhaust cam.

[DaveEEE]

Yeah Mike thats what I think it is now as well... I will take off the valve cover again 2nite and check it, and take some pics....

dave

[WDRacing]

My rb wouldn't idle worth a **** when I had the exhaust cam off a tooth. It would run, but barely. My thought is timing for sure, somewhere you've got somthing out of time. If the lower chain wasn't on, the crank wouldn't turn the cams and you wouldn't run at all.

WD

[DaveEEE]

My rb wouldn't idle worth a **** when I had the exhaust cam off a tooth. It would run, but barely. My thought is timing for sure, somewhere you've got somthing out of time. If the lower chain wasn't on, the crank wouldn't turn the cams and you wouldn't run at all.

WD

Thanks for the comments... I ask about the lower chain because when we were supporting the upperchain, our support broke, making us wonder if the bottom slipped. But, we really didnt think it did, and like you said, I guess it wouldnt even start...

dave

[klattr1]

i was having the same problem dave for about 2 days. I was throwing no codes and then I took the car into Nissan and hooked it up on the Consult and they told me instantly that my internal coil was bad. I had a new distributor at home sitting so i swapped it out and it ran like a champ afterwards. That was the best $60 spent. Consult was worth it.

[DaveEEE]

i was having the same problem dave for about 2 days. I was throwing no codes and then I took the car into Nissan and hooked it up on the Consult and they told me instantly that my internal coil was bad. I had a new distributor at home sitting so i swapped it out and it ran like a champ afterwards. That was the best $60 spent. Consult was worth it.

That definitely wont happen since I'd need to be towed to Nissan. But anyway, we really think its the cam timing. Going to remove them again today and see how it goes. I'll let you know.

BTW, anyone ever purchased a CONSULT unit? I'd imagine they run a couple grand?

[DaveEEE]

Well of course it was a 10 min fix, the distributor was off a tooth again. Gah. All is back up and running now, thanks guys.

[WDRacing]

Glad to hear it Dave...

[Pornflakes]

I'm glad that got taken care of. Now put that thing on the dyno and monitor things carefully...

[DaveEEE]

Hopefully this coming tuesday I can get some dyno time in.

[JPRempe]

Consult II are NOT cheap...plus you need all the CD's/updates...

[Pornflakes]

Yah...seriously. It's cheaper to buy a stand alone engine management system, have it installed and tuned professionally, and datalog from that instead.