Not starting after valve cover removed...

[nissannoob]

:wtf:

I'm seriously confused now....for some reason the engine doesn't start after removing the valve cover. I had a previous thread that had a dilemma with the cylinder head bolt thread being stripped, but after putting the valve cover back on, the car doesn't start! It just turns, but never fires up. So I did the basic troubleshooting:

-Can't be the starter...it turns so it must be good(?).
-The mofo's who had the car before NEVER changed the rotor and cap. OEM Nissan cap and rotor were in there. (The car is at 145k miles now...) Changed those out and put all the plug wires back in correct sequence.
-Thought it was the ignition coil so did the spark plug test: pulled all plug wires and put spark plug in it, turned the engine and it sparked on all 4 of them.
-Checked fuel pressure: had someone crank the engine while I felt the fuel line on the fuel filter for pressure pumps; fuel pressure is going through.
-Brand new NGK iridium plugs are in there.

Any ideas guys? It doesn't make sense because all my plugs are firing and all the fuel is flowing but I can't get the thing to turn on. I did the ignition coil test with a multimeter and voltage/ohms are good. Thanks for your help in advance.

-NissanNoob

[transient]

Are you sure you didn't do anything else but remove the valve cover?

Do you smell gas when you try to start it? Also, take a look at your plugs after you've tried, see if they're wet at all.

[nissannoob]

Are you sure you didn't do anything else but remove the valve cover?

Do you smell gas when you try to start it? Also, take a look at your plugs after you've tried, see if they're wet at all.


Yeah, checked the tips of the plugs to see (or smell I should say) if there was fuel coming through, and yes the fuel was getting in. The only other thing I can think of that we touched was the fuel injector harness which was removed to take off the valve cover. Seeing that all the plugs had fuel on them, the injectors seem to be working. I'm going to get some carb cleaner and clean the MAF and the throttle body - it's the only thing left in the combustion equation. Got spark, got fuel, now the only thing is air. What do you guys think?

[transient]

At this point, I'm stumped. Unless you're usually pretty good at defying the laws of chemistry / physics, it should be firing.

Edit:

Wait a sec though... Are you sure your timing is on? You said you replaced the cap and rotor... are you sure everything is in the right position? If the plugs aren't firing at the right time, that would definately keep it from starting.

[Chernobyl]

stupid question: did you reconnect the breather hose that goes into the valve cover?

[nismospec]

do u hear ur starter trying to turn ur motor, cuz u never know if something just went out?

[nissannoob]

stupid question: did you reconnect the breather hose that goes into the valve cover?

Yep, definately connected that back to the cover.

do u hear ur starter trying to turn ur motor, cuz u never know if something just went out?

Yes, the starter does turn the engine. The engine turns, but does not fire up.

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm gonna try the throttle body and MAF cleaning today. Hopefully that works.

[nissannoob]

Edit:

Wait a sec though... Are you sure your timing is on? You said you replaced the cap and rotor... are you sure everything is in the right position? If the plugs aren't firing at the right time, that would definately keep it from starting.


Hmm...now that you mention it, I'd better double check the plug wires. does the rotor have to be on a certain position? Damn useless service manual doesn't outline any of this at all. I didn't even touch the timing chain, only removed the upper guard.

[transient]

If you changed the physical timing, you'd know it, lol. These are interferance engines. It really does sound like your timing to me. Do you have a FSM? If not, I'd suggest getting one. That will have all the timing instructions in it and everything. I've never had the DOCH and I'm not sure if there are any differences in setting the timing on it or not. Your best bet is the service manual.

[vegita319]

Sorry, im going to make a new thread

[Kid Zelda]

It's your timing bro, you're off 180 deg*