Recently replaced head gasket, now car will not start.

[gunmetal180]

so about a month ago my sohc ka finally blew the head gasket at 198k. figured this would be an easy fix and i really wouldnt have to worry about too much. since i already had the head off i figured i would go ahead and swap out my timing components for a new set, seeing that these also have the original 198k miles on them. well i get the car put all back together but there is a problem. car cranks but will not start. i have checked timing repeatedly, spark, fuel, compression all have been checked and they all are perfect. i had another person tell me i could have a vacuum leak but i wasnt sure if this would be my next logical step. my 240 is my dd and i have been without a car for the past three weeks. so anyhelp you guys could give is greatly appreciated

[FoxFire]

check plug timming

[gunmetal180]

i have checked timing repeatedly, spark, fuel, compression all have been checked and they all are perfect.

[jjisguilty]

check your MAF. It might have gotten dirty or something.

[driftingmy240sx]

how have yu checked your timing. this does sound like an ignition timing issue. try setting cylinder one at top dead center on compression and make sure the dist rotor is pointing at #1. i believe the dist does spin counter clockwise on that engine. if you have already done this i need a little more info on whats happening so i can help you.

does it "pop" while you crank (like a backfire)?does it crank and thats it (steady crank speed w/ no sign of trying to start)?are all sensors connected?if possible give me more info than i need to know.

[gunmetal180]

how have yu checked your timing. this does sound like an ignition timing issue. try setting cylinder one at top dead center on compression and make sure the dist rotor is pointing at #1. i believe the dist does spin counter clockwise on that engine. if you have already done this i need a little more info on whats happening so i can help you.

does it "pop" while you crank (like a backfire)?does it crank and thats it (steady crank speed w/ no sign of trying to start)?are all sensors connected?if possible give me more info than i need to know.

its a steady crank, just wont fire. the timing has been checked by me and two other mechanics. we are just stumped. this is my first time tearing into my 240 since i bought her a couple of years ago. up until this point she has run tip top

[gunmetal180]

check your MAF. It might have gotten dirty or something.

its not the maf i have a NEW one in place currently

[nissans13240sx]

sounds like timing is off by 180 degrees. Check by cam position not by crank marks.

[gunmetal180]

sounds like timing is off by 180 degrees. Check by cam position not by crank marks.

cam sprocket key way is lined up with mark(arrow) on cam guide.

[hungryjoseph]

you sure you have it set on the right stroke

[gunmetal180]

number 1 is set at absolute tdc

[le_ryan]

find TDC with a long screw driver in #1 plug hole, make sure rotor is at # 1, and that your marks are at the right point..

[gunmetal180]

number 1 is set at absolute tdc

timing is dead on, or do you guys not read what ive posted already. ive checked cam timing, and crank timing. everything is set to absolute tdc. i set tdc on crank with head off.

[govtworkhorse]

Well I know you said "fuel" in one of you posts but if all that stuff is perfect, I default on the old backwards fuel line problem. It seems to be happening to a lot of folks on here right now. Did you put your lines back to the correct location? It sounds like I'm just looking for a free post but your problem COULD be this simple.

[gunmetal180]

Well I know you said "fuel" in one of you posts but if all that stuff is perfect, I default on the old backwards fuel line problem. It seems to be happening to a lot of folks on here right now. Did you put your lines back to the correct location? It sounds like I'm just looking for a free post but your problem COULD be this simple.

i marked them before i removed them, they are in fact back where they came from. feed and return lines are correct. because im getting fuel to the spark plugs it just wont start

[NotDave]

check your injectors and make sure they are seated all the way. open up the oil cap and do a smell, hopefully it doesnt smell like gas.

[nissans13240sx]

I do realize you said you checked timing. Really what i was getting at when i said to check cams is to check what stroke they are on. Your #1 piston will be at TDC on 2 strokes and BDC on 2 strokes. If you have your timing set to the exhaust stroke it will never start but all your markings will line up.

[driftingmy240sx]

make sure your fuel lines are hooked up correctly. one from the filter goes to feed side of the rail and one from fpr should be to plan hose without the filter. double check for any unhooked grounds on the engine block or intake maifold also.

[White Comet]

I do realize you said you checked timing. Really what i was getting at when i said to check cams is to check what stroke they are on. Your #1 piston will be at TDC on 2 strokes and BDC on 2 strokes. If you have your timing set to the exhaust stroke it will never start but all your markings will line up.

i was thinknig the same thing, ive seen it happen before

[gunmetal180]

i was thinknig the same thing, ive seen it happen before

well im on a single cam motor, single stroke for the cam.

[gunmetal180]

make sure your fuel lines are hooked up correctly. one from the filter goes to feed side of the rail and one from fpr should be to plan hose without the filter. double check for any unhooked grounds on the engine block or intake maifold also.

they are correct, i marked them BEFORE i removed them. and my car ran before i started the headgasket fix.

[dickie]

moved to ka forum.

there's no magic to how an engine runs, you need fuel+air, compression and spark. you say you checked thoroughly and everything is correct, but obviously you missed something. dont get pissy when someone suggests you double-check it.

you say it cranks but wont actually start up, does it even sputter? does it just keep cranking until your battery dies?

can you be more specific about what you have checked in regards to each system? like from the fuel pump all the way to the injectors, the distributor with plugs wires and coil, the compression readings you got when you tested and how you tested it, etc...

[Rex]

I merged the 2 separate threads, lets keep the discussion in one area. Thanks

[nissans13240sx]

heres an idea to. Check your fuses, because there is one fuse for start signal and one fuse for the ECU. If either are blown it will just crank.

[s13rb25det]

I had this happen when I rebuilt my ka my timing was off by like 1/2 tooth on both cams. these engines have to be timed PERFECTLY otherwise they will not start at all. check your compression if it /.is around 120-140 your cam timing is off you need to be at like 170ish. I am pretty sure that is your problem, also when you install your dist, make sure to set it back about a tooth or so because it shifts 1 tooth up when it is installed. good luck

[gunmetal180]

ok, finally got it to fire, and it runs like ****. did another compression test, and its 160 across the board. fsm says compression should be between 143 and 190 so id say compression is good. there is such a rough idle, at about 500rpm. when i put it in gear it will die. if i do get it going down the road, it starts to act up real bad, it bogs like hell and it feels like im getting no power at all. then the ebrake light comes on and my car will die. any clues???

[silpena]

maybe a vaccum leak like the brake booster to the manifold or something is not tighten.....

[White Comet]

what did u do to get it to start?

[znimtz]

turn the distributer by hand and see if it helps.

[White Comet]

if hes sure the timings correct, that wont help