Help, car won't start!

[fujima]

I have a KA24e SOHC all stock. All I did was changed the timing chain tensioner and the guides. So I put everything back however, I didn't mark the distributor position...now the car won't start

I've tried...

turning crank to make #1 piston to TDC...however, the rotor on the distributor is in between wires 4 and 2 instead of pointing close to 1

I've also adjusted the position of the distributor many times. Still didn't start

what else can I do?

[mjjstang]

well its obviously something with the timing, did you read the FSM and adjust everything to specs, did you make sure the timing chain links actually lined up to the cam position, before you put the chain on?

[proj240sx]

the sohc distributor can only go in one way from what i remember. it has a notch that goes in only one way...but there is a way to check. put #1 cyl on TDC, and the fsm shows which direction the rotor is supposed to be pointed. if that doesnt match then double check the position of your cam to crank..that is probably you problem. also in fsm. good luck!

[drew935]

check for spark. Just read the FSM...coil plugged in?

[~Split~]

check for spark from the coil

[fujima]

there should be spark. I took out the #1 spark plug and there was some smoke in there, that means there's spark right? Before I worked on the car, it started fine. It's after I put everything back, the car won't start anymore.

I just removed the oil pump and turned the rotor to face wire #1 at TDC. still nothing. Just cranking and not starting, not sure what's up. maybe i killed somethin.

I might need an expert to take a look at it for me.

[~Split~]

did you take a look at your MAFS that always could be the problem. idk just thinking that could be a problem.

[fujima]

Don't think I touched the mafs, but i can check. The thing is, I didn't even move the chain at all, just the distributor. All I did was replace the tensioner and the broken guide.

[~Split~]

its hard to say what it could be but for some reason another thing makes me thing it could either be your sparkplug wires crossed or in the wrong place if thats not it then idk what else could be the problem

[fujima]

That's what I thought too, so I moved the wires. I did remember leaving all the plug wires attached to the cap and the motor though. When I moved them, some backfiring happened. They are back to the original order now

1234 on the motor

4 3
2 1 on the cap

looks correct right? Is it possible for the distributor to be broken?

[fujima]

Alright, so I got the car started due to a firing order mismatch. I found an autozone diagram showing the firing order. I also have a diagram that shows my original firing order which didn't work.

Ok so, the engine sounds like a helicopter right now. Kinda like those old muscle cars. Is it suppose to sound like that? It also felt like shit when I drove it.

Temp guage goes all the way hot and my thermostat is leaking. might have to put a gasket on there or get a new thermostat.

any ideas?

[mjjstang]

my buddies sounded like that, he had something stuck in a valve preventing it from fully closing, you might have major issues.

[fujima]

no way. the car ran perfect before i got into it.

only thing now is coolant leaking from where the thermostat is. gotta check that out.

[Dream240]

no way. the car ran perfect before i got into it.

only thing now is coolant leaking from where the thermostat is. gotta check that out.

It's like the blind leading the blind in here....sheesh.

Okay, you say you got the wires correctly installed. But it's still running like shit?

You get an FSM yet? Here let me spoon feed you.....

http://www.240edge.com/manuals/s13-ka24e.html

Your problem is your timing it's not adjusted properly. Sure you got it running but it's still not right. You need to reset base timing and go from there.

From now on MARK the plug wires BEFORE you pull them off! Saves alot of time and hassle. Also I believe the KA24E base timing is the same as DOHC..... +20 BTDC not TDC. Which would explain why you're running like crap. Someone verify this...haven't looked it up in a looooong while.

Sorry to be harsh but you guys are replying to his problem like a gunman trying to hit a bottle at 100 yards on a pitch dark night. You can't just keep guessing "try this, try that" You guys need to give him good info or don't reply....you'll just confuse him more.

EDIT: Look under the d-adjustments file to find the timing adjustments..... its 15 degrees BTDC for the SOHC (pages 1 & 2) not 20 degrees like the DOHC....sorry

Here's a link to another site: it's got some good pics to help.
http://www.240sx.org/faq/index.html

[ichigo]

fujima
do you still have that autozone diagram?

[sil80forme]

U ARE 180 DEGREES OFF pull distributer out turn 180 degrees and put back in. i did this before took me forever figure it out

[fujima]

fujima
do you still have that autozone diagram?


sure. I found the autozone diagram here:

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/17/ef/0d/0900823d8017ef0d.jsp

[fujima]

U ARE 180 DEGREES OFF pull distributer out turn 180 degrees and put back in. i did this before took me forever figure it out


180 degrees off? do you mean i have to take out the oil pump and turn that shaft 180 degrees counter clockwise?

the distributor can only go in one way in the sohc motors since there is a half circle wedge on the shafts of the oil pump and distributor

Should I just keep retarding my distributor?

[sil80forme]

hmmm sorry i thought u were talkin bought dohc my bad i must of read it to fast...

[Dream240]

Jeez....

Did you even read my post or was that just too much info for you to process?

Pull the dist.
Reset the crank to 15 degrees BTDC
Re-install the dist.
Disconnect the TPS connector
Start car
warm it up
Adjust dist so that it will idle at 650 to 700
tighten dist bolts
reconnect TPS connector
Drive.

[fujima]

Jeez....

Did you even read my post or was that just too much info for you to process?

Pull the dist.
Reset the crank to 15 degrees BTDC
Re-install the dist.
Disconnect the TPS connector
Start car
warm it up
Adjust dist so that it will idle at 650 to 700
tighten dist bolts
reconnect TPS connector
Drive.


haha i did read your posts dream. they're great. i'm about to do that tonight and see how it goes. thanks for the help man

[Dream240]

Oh alright...sorry if I seemed rude.

It's all these 4:30am OT shifts.....making me cranky. :faint:

Let us know how it goes.