Engine ALMOST Starts

[4felix20]

what a pain. so i finally got my distributor from nismo_freak and it's made a little better difference. now the car has a little pop after i stop cranking it. it's a weak airy sounding pop. i've checked compression and it's about the same as when the car was working in great condition. i'm positive i'm getting spark now. i can smell the unburnt fuel building up...so i'm assuming i'm getting fuel, but i'm not sure if the pressure is up to spec. fuel was never a problem before though.

it'll just crank and crank, it's like it's not igniting or something. i have no idea anymore.

[virus77]

Are you sure the dist is installed corectly and not one tooth off. Also make sure you are at RDC on the compression stroke or else you are 180 degrees off. Not sure if you have already tried this but I though I would mention it, good luck.

[Import_Ant]

have someone help you and crank the car over while the other person is checking for spark (you can use a screwdriver inserted into the #1 spark plug wire and held slightly over the valve cover or strut tower, spark will bridge the gap and you can see it)

I'd suggest starting there and MAKING SURE you have spark then progressing... if you've got spark and you've got fuel it sounds like your timing is off. how are you timing it when you install the distributor(s)? I know there is only one way to install it on a SOHC motor but on a DOHC it's more difficult. You have to line up the motor to TDC (easiest if you remove #1 spark plug, insert a LONG 1/4" drive extention or screwdriver, and turn it over by hand until the item stops raising (and refrencing this against the crank pulley) once you're at TDC you install the distributor so the rotor lines up with cylinder 1 on the distributor cap. Forgive me if this post seems condescending it isn't meant to, I just don't know your level of mechanical competence.

let us know what you find and hopefully you can get it running soon!

[4felix20]

i've pulled the distributor and installed it like 20 times..the rotor is perfectly lined up with the #1 plug wire.

i'm gonna go try again.

[4felix20]

i know i'm getting spark. and that's how i've been checking if i'm on the compression stroke. i'm gonna rip my hair out.

[virus77]

if you open the oil cap you can see if the cams (the exhuast cam lobe will be facing the drivers side suspension tower) are both facing away from each other then you are on the compression stroke.

[rn240sx]

i've pulled the distributor and installed it like 20 times..the rotor is perfectly lined up with the #1 plug wire.

i'm gonna go try again.

Dont be too sure on that.. It can be lined up with the # 1 and u will still be off timming... When u insert that distributor, u can be b4 or after that # 1 pin.... One of those is correct and the other is WRONG..!!!

Remember, when u set the # 1 piston to TDC, the rotor should be PAST the # 1 pin... indicating that the # 1 should have already fired and its on the power stroke..

In basic terms when u insert the distributor, is the rotor ABOVE or BELOW that # 1 pin...?? If u are ABOVE it, your one tooth off...

Make sure that rotor is PAST (below) the # 1 pin...

All this is worthless if ur not on the compression stroke... which is a major mess up by lots of people.. (me included)

And by the way, u can be off by one tooth and the motor will crank over but the idle will be very low and mild and will not react too well to throttle...

[4felix20]

i see what you mean. i'm gonna go get a flashlight and peak at the cam lobes..then reset the dist again.ren240, that helped alot.

i had to go get beer first. i'm going nuts.

thanks for all your help guys.
Modified by 4felix20 at 5:07 PM 6/3/2005

[D Money]

sounds to be timing, my timing was way off, and it sounded like it was almost starting too, lots of pops and backfires

[Import_Ant]

All this is worthless if ur not on the compression stroke... which is a major mess up by lots of people.. (me included)

And by the way, u can be off by one tooth and the motor will crank over but the idle will be very low and mild and will not react too well to throttle...

you can remove the #1 spark plug and insert a 3" 1/4 drive socket extention or screwdriver in the cylinder to check for this too. it will be lifted up out of the hole as you are starting the compression stroke.

we wrestled with this problem for a LOOONG time with my friend's car when he did a SOHC to DOHC swap (he was off 1 tooth not a whole 180 degrees though.

[4felix20]

ALOMOST GOT IT. she wants to start, but just my luck, the battery is getting low on power from trying to crank her so much.

now instead of that single airy sounding pop, she's starting to rumble with every crank. so close!

[Import_Ant]

ALOMOST GOT IT. she wants to start, but just my luck, the battery is getting low on power from trying to crank her so much.

now instead of that single airy sounding pop, she's starting to rumble with every crank. so close!

next post I want to see it running

actually, don't post, just go drive!

try adjusting your timing to see if you are off a tooth. if you retard your timing all the way (or advance it) it will have the same effect as being off a tooth. i'd start w/ retarding it all the way.

[Nismo_Freak]

ALOMOST GOT IT. she wants to start, but just my luck, the battery is getting low on power from trying to crank her so much.

now instead of that single airy sounding pop, she's starting to rumble with every crank. so close!

Go get starting fluid and it will start on the first try.

[virus77]

Also dry your plugs if you have been cranking like a maniac for a while, they might be soaked in fuel.

[4felix20]

BAM! that bish started right up. i just waited a little to for the battery to recover.

i'd like to kiss all of you. =)

thanks alot everybody! especially nismo_freak for coming through. that new dist is exactly what i needed. you guys helped me get her started on the best day of my week too. time to go party and drive!

you guys are great.

[4felix20]

only reason i came back to post is cause i had my clutch fan off for easier access to everything. when i got her started i just took off for a drive, had to come back shortly though cause i forgot to put the fan back on. that could have sucked...

[Import_Ant]

only reason i came back to post is cause i had my clutch fan off for easier access to everything.

Get an electric fan. I did and never looked back

[virus77]

Dont blow it up on the first day