It's definitely the timing chain...grrr (1995 240SX SE S14)

[okay123]

Okay my S14 is on it's third KA24DE, little on the detail and story later, basically this car is definitely cranking but wont start. Fuel filter changed. All bone stock, no CAI nada. Radio turns on, windows roll up and down. It's automatic transmission

I unplugged the fuel line and just turned the car to the "on" position and definitely there's a flow. I hear a click and hear the fuel pump kick in. I took off the distributor cap and tried starting it at night time and theres definitely sparks. Firing order is correct. There's definitely sparks coming from each spark plugs when i hold a screw driver to it.

The cranking noise is a lot of laboring. It doesnt start up at all. It sounds like its heaving when it cranks. My theory or hypothesis is that.....the spark/cam timing is off by a lot so the cams open up when theres no spark and it sparks when the cams are closed and vice versa. I've been told to stop trying to start it or else I'll flood the engine.

What I dont have is $$$$ for a timing chain job, so i'd like to DIY this, i've searched on this forum and so far the only timing related thing that turns up is the timing chain guide thingy. So If I pop off the valve cover can i just reseal it with the RTV stuff?


And if theres any other possible solutions please do tell before I delve into this last resort timing chain fix.

[Eikon]

The valve cover has a rubber gasket that is re-usable. So you can take off the valve cover and put it back on without a new gasket or rtv sealant. Search for the FSM to read up about it. There is an order in which you should tighten it back down to be sure you don't have any leak afterwards... but it's not rocket science.

It may sound silly, but are you sure your battery has enough CCA to start it? I doubt that this is the problem, but its a good thing to rule out.... If it sounds heavy, perhaps swap in a different battery and give it a shot?

[DamonDread]

Agreed. A battery can have enuff juice to power up the dash and all, but not actually start the car. Like Eikon said this might not be the problem but you should definatly rule this out first. So this new KA hasn't started from the jump, or this problem just started?

[SoCal-S13]

It's automatic transmission

bingo.

[okay123]

we've narrowed it down to either the crank angle sensor, cams sensor? how the EFF do i get to the crank angle sensor? its in the back of the engine but its near impossible to get the metal cover to get out...


and how do i test if the sensor in the distributor is bad?

[okay123]

Agreed. A battery can have enuff juice to power up the dash and all, but not actually start the car. Like Eikon said this might not be the problem but you should definatly rule this out first. So this new KA hasn't started from the jump, or this problem just started?

alternator is replaced and its a brand new costco battery, i even had it hooked up to a battery charger.

my hunches are that the timing is off.....or the sensor in the distributor is messed up OR the crank angle sensor way in the back is messed up. the distributor sensor is easy to get no problem but that piece of crap way in the back is a b---- to get to

i removed the airbox, radiator, fans, fan shroud, exhaust manifold, almost everything

its the 3rd engine and has always started fine but from what ive been told "one day it just wouldnt start"

so its been sitting collecting dirt dust and bird crap and theres been a new fuel filter, fuel injectors are good, def getting spark...

its either those 2 sensors...one in the distro and one way in the back but what im told the one way in the back is for diagnosing misfires only.....so i should focus on testing the distro sensors.

[DamonDread]

Im hoping somone more knowledgable about timing issues is gonna jump in here soon man. If not take to a dealer and pay to get it diagnosed then take it home to fix it. I do it alot.

[Eikon]

So take the timing cover off and manually crank the engine until you can line up the marks on the chain with the marks on the cams.. then you will know if your chain is correct.
While your at it, get a compression test kit and check your compression.. maybe you snapped a rod or bent some valves somehow.