Change the crank pulley and car wont start now

[Gusiek96]

So i changed the crank pulley and i was kind of in a rush, so i left the socket on the pulley by accident and turn on the engine , and the bolt that holds it unscrewed and engine ran for like 5sec with out the bolt. After putting back the bolt, engine doesnt start now. Could it mess up the chain timing or distributor timing or is it more serious?

[centralcoaster33]

Hi, welcome to NICO Club!

Your timing should be fine, same with the distributor. Those are on the chain and gear behind the pulley and are connected to the driveshaft. I would think the pulley would still be spinning your belts, since it's keyed onto the driveshaft. You should torque your bolt down with a torque wrench. It is recommended to have replaced that bolt with a new one. You should re-tension all of your belts.

Did the screw come all the way out? Did it get flung into something? Did the crank pulley come off or start to slide off of the driveshaft? Did any belts come off and fly about?

I suspect your car isn't starting for some other reason. Let us know how it goes and we can provide more help.

BTW - what is the reason you were changing your crank pulley?

[Gusiek96]

It came out all the way, and everything stated in place. I also did recently head gasket and a water pump and everthing worked well until now

[centralcoaster33]

Okay, well at least check your work. Make sure you've plugged in all the sensor wires, make sure all the vacuum lines and intake are together, make sure your ground wires are still connected, make sure your spark plugs are in all the way, re-connect your distributor to spark plug wires on both ends, re-tension the belts, make sure you have lot's of coolant in there and be ready for a high temp as it 'burps' the air out of the system. Try to start the car. Let us know what does or does not happen when you turn the key (lights on, CEL, starter click or turn, fires but no idle, etc.). If you have an OBD-II scanner, plug it in and see if the ECU is telling us anything.

[centralcoaster33]

Maybe you just popped a fuse. Check those under the hood and by the kick panel drivers side.

[Gusiek96]

Ok will check everything after i get home.

[Gusiek96]

Ok so i check everything, and everthing is correct. I redid the timing. Engine cranks, it sounds like it wants to start but something is holding it back, and it shoots massive fire from the block. What can cause it not to start? Bad spark plug wires? Distributor cap? Or whole distributor? I didnt get a chance to check the Ecu for codes, i will do it later today.

[centralcoaster33]

I read valve cover gasket for some reason. Head gasket... well, you've been into your timing chains and distributor and all. Now, I've not been in that deep, but I have read about it. Some people have mistakenly put the Cam on upside down. Some have the teeth in the wrong spot, most have issue lining up the marks on the distributor. I've done the distributor before, no chains though. I'd get the FSM and take a close look at the marks for the distributor, cams, crankshaft. Other than timing, an engine needs fuel air and spark. Search here for timing tips. Stuff like turning the crank by hand first and then firing and such.

When massive fire shoots from the block, where does it shoot out from and where does that shoot into? Oh, and get a picture of that, it will be cool to find in your photo album when you're old!