s14 sr20 timing, help needed badly

[Trppen37]

I've been trying to get my s14 engine started. I followed phase2motortrends instructions on lining up the dark areas of the chain with the 2 cam sprockets and then inserting the CAS the correct way. Problem is it sometimes starts but sounds like its 180 off. anybody have any ideas pertaining to this?

[SpeedRacer1]

You should do this with two people. One person rotates the CAS very slowly back and forth until you hear it begin to catch, then you know you are close. The other person is obviously cranking the whole time.

Crank in 30 second shots max, anything more may burn up the starter.

[Trppen37]

ive tried this a couple times, and still no success.

[tony/ka24de]

try taking your cas out, rotate the crank 180% to the same mark, then put the cas back in with all marks lined up.

[Silvia007]

Guys, I wouldn't try doing any of that. When you line up the two dark links with the two dots on the cam sprockets, make sure that the main pulley is at TDC. Once that is accomplished, the two dots on the two dark links and the main pulley at TDC, turn the gear on the cas so that the dot closest to the gear is facing the little dent on the cas housing. Once you push it in, the correct dot should line up with the dent in the housing. This shouldn't be that hard to do. Maybe you guys are just missing a few things here and there. Don't worry though, I had trouble understanding my first time too.

[Trppen37]

ok i did what silvia007 said too 2 times already both times, nothing. phase2motortrend is even stumped as they have been helping me through this since its my first time. it sounds really easy so possibly i am overlooking somehting but i have had a few friends double check with me and they cant figure any other way either. the 2 dots on the cam sprockets line up with the 2 individual darkened chain links and it is at the 2nd mark from the left and at TDC, i did the CAS thing correct i am sure. still nothing. i dont know anymore. i am thinking now that it is not 180 out but something else, but what i am wondering, i have fuel spark, it "should" be timed correctly, is there anything else that could cause it to not fire like this? a vacuum leak possibly?
Modified by Trppen37 at 4:33 AM 9/25/2004

[Silvia007]

Hmm... the only other thing that I could think of is the water temperature sensor. If it's cold and wired up incorrectly it may think it's hot and not send enough fuel and it could work the opposite way to, when the engine is warm it thinks the engine is cold and sends too much fuel. I personally had this problem with the water temp sensor.

For the timming, if that's what you did, then it is correct. No doubt about that. How did you test for fuel and spark?

[Onizuka]

My engine didnt want to start either, and I fiddle around with the CAS and it seemed to do nothing. After I finally got it started it I let it idle and the exhaust manifold got red hot. I put in the CAS exactly as described but the timing was definatly wrong. I decided to just try and rotate the CAS gear one tooth and it did the trick. After I figured that out it ran like a champ.

[Trppen37]

well i tested for spark by pulling out one spark plug and coil at a time and cranking it while letting it ground to the ex. manny. i pulled the fuel rail and cranked it with injectors in. covered up of course. well anyways, i double checked on the timing again tonight and it was right on like i had always had it and tried to start it. it seems like it wants to catch at first but heres the weird part-only when i press on the gas pedal. after a few times of trying it completely gives up, i pulled the plugs and they are wet with plenty of fuel and the stench from the exhaust is Very strong , so do u still think its not getting enough fuel from a incorrectly wired water temp sensor? BTW where is the probe for the water temp sensor and if you know of any voltages to test for to see if its operating right?

[Trppen37]

ive got it running now but it seems to load up on fuel while u let it idle and stall out. anyways it still runs VERY rich, enough to where it fouls out plugs in like 1 minute or less of idling. and i still cant pull timing, none of the marks are even close to lining up so i dont know where to go from here.

[got2b240]

any luck?

[NY S13 SR]

Check MAF & MAF wiring, try unplugging it you will run rich but should idle steady.

Also if plugs are wet, check for leaking injector o-rings, also check your oil for fuel, that can cause a spun bearing.

If an engine is flooded, it can have perfect timing, fuel and spark and still not start or even barely catch.

__________________Jeff Hheavythrottle.com

[DriftBandit]

What fuel pressure are you running?? Might be a bad FPR?

[dreadedboost]

i havent checked fuel pressure, i am guessing i just hook up a gauge to the feed line before the fuel rail?? injector o rings looked brand new when i pulled them out. i guess i better change the oil cause it does smell like gas alot.

[dreadedboost]

injector seals were good, i played with my CAS and finally got it timed right, it does start alot easier now but the rich condition is still there 80% of the time, every once in a while it just starts running great like theres nothing wrong and if u try to idle it up it just falls back into dumping gas like crazy. could it be the MAF? it came in a big box of parts that werent clean at all and i thought nothing of it at the time but now it makes me wonder if that can affect performance.