Car wont start after replacing timing belt but I know timing is spot on. What could it be?
After replacing the timing belt, water pump, cam and crank seals, valve cover gaskets the car wont start. It cranks and tries to sputter and start but just wont do it. I have checked the timing over and over and find all the marks lining up every time. I have checked for spark from all plugs, wires and coil packs but they are ok. I have also tried taking the throttle bottle and intake tube off to see if I have missed and wire connectors and I cant seem to find any anywhere that I missed. Is it possible something else went bad just out of nowhere? It drove into the shop just fine right before I
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there, thanks for writing in.
Well if the car ran before you did the timing belt, but now doesn’t run after, I am or course going to say that the likely scenario is that the timing is off. Make double and triple sure that you’re using the correct marks on the camshafts and crankshaft, and make sure that the belt is properly tensioned. If all this is correct, it’s not impossible that something else failed, just highly unlikely. The next step after verifying the timing is correct would be to check fuel pressure and run a compression check. You would normally want to check for spark, but you have already done that. If the timing belt was off before and you turned it over at all, it could have damaged valves and that would cause the motor to have no compression. If these checks don’t yield any results, then you should consider contacting a professional technician, such as one available from YourMechanic, to diagnose the no start condition.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
When your car`s timing belt is broken or irreplaceable, your engine will not be able to ignite or turn over properly. This means when you turn the key, you may hear the starter motor engage, but since the timing belt is responsible for operating the crank and shaft, it will not fully ignite.
A dead battery is a very common consequence of a broken serpentine belt as the alternator will stop charging the battery and will only start charging it after replacing the belt and starting the engine. The first time, you`ll have to jump-start or charge your battery first if the battery was drained too much.
When any changes are made to the engine of a car, the ignition timing is adjusted accordingly. If not, you could experience several problems with your engine with improper ignition timing like knocking, hard to start, increase fuel usage, overheating, and reduced power.
On a non interference engine, even with a broken or incorrectly timed belt, nothing will happen that could bend valves. The engine will probably not run, but it will not suffer permanent damage.
Why won`t my car start but I have power? If you attempt to start up your car but the engine won`t turn over and the dashboard lights up, then you most likely have an issue with your battery. You could have a damaged or corroded battery terminal, which is stopping the engine from starting up when you fully turn the key.
It sounds like your engine is seized. If the timing belt or chain has broke then you may have bent the valves and the chain or belt will jam up the crankshaft from turning. The pistons will contact the calves and engine will not turn. Try and turn the engine in both directions.
Crank position sensors (CKP) are an electronic device used to monitor the position and speed of the crankshaft. The information obtained by the crank sensor helps the PCM control the fuel injection and ignition timing, such as with variable valve timing and other engine parameters set by the manufacturer.
A manifold vacuum and/or barometric pressure, throttle position, engine RPM, coolant temperature, and vehicle speed sensor all modify the timing program.
Of course. Anything can be fixed, and a snapped timing belt is no different.
Generally, a timing belt that goes bad makes a noticeable ticking or clicking timing belt sound that is unusual. When the timing belt starts falling the ticking or clicking sound becomes pretty audible.
When the timing belt breaks, the crankshaft will continue to spin, while the camshaft will stop turning. As a result, the pistons will continue to rise and fall in their cylinders and can, in some instances strike the valves.
Decreased Engine Power or Trouble Starting Your Car
Because your timing belt controls so many moving parts under the hood of your car, as the timing belt wears out, you may notice a decrease in your engine`s power or even difficulty starting your engine.
When the timing belt breaks, the crankshaft will continue to spin, while the camshaft will stop turning. As a result, the pistons will continue to rise and fall in their cylinders and can, in some instances strike the valves.
To break in a belt, use low gear (if available) while varying speeds and avoiding wide open throttle for 5 to 10 miles. If no low gear is available, vary at moderate speeds while avoiding wide open throttle for 50 miles.
Car Will Not Start: Over time, as the camshaft position sensor fails, the signal it sends to the engine control module weakens. When the engine no longer receives the signal, you will not be able to start your car.
Poor Engine Performance
Will a bad O2 sensor cause rough idle and loss of engine power? You bet. Moreover, you may also notice poor acceleration, engine misfires, and even stalling. Bad oxygen sensors disrupt all kinds of essential engine functions, including engine timing, combustion intervals, and air-fuel ratio.
Fundamentally, the engine ECU controls the injection of the fuel and, in petrol engines, the timing of the spark to ignite it. It determines the position of the engine`s internals using a Crankshaft Position Sensor so that the injectors and ignition system are activated at precisely the correct time.
There are two different crankshaft position sensors on your vehicle, one designated “A” and the other “B”. Both of these sensors are mounted to the engine block.
Dynamometer tuning. Setting the ignition timing while monitoring engine power output with a dynamometer is one way to correctly set the ignition timing. After advancing or retarding the timing, a corresponding change in power output will usually occur.
Crankshaft position sensor (CKP) is an electromagnetic sensor by the help of which the fuel injection system makes synchronization of the fuel injectors operation and the ignition system.
Misalignment is one of the main causes of timing belt drive failure. Excessive or uneven tooth wear, belt tracking and tensile failure can all be attributed to misalignment. By checking and aligning your shafts and timing pulleys you can increase the life of your timing belts and save yourself lots of downtime.
A bad timing belt is just one of the many reasons your engine might not start. You can`t exactly ignore this problem if your car won`t start then you can`t drive it. However, if the timing belt breaks while you are driving you will definitely notice and there will almost certainly be additional damage to your engine.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Car wont start after replacing timing belt but I know timing is spot on. What could it be?
ANSWER : Hi there, thanks for writing in.
Well if the car ran before you did the timing belt, but now doesn’t run after, I am or course going to say that the likely scenario is that the timing is off. Make double and triple sure that you’re using the correct marks on the camshafts and crankshaft, and make sure that the belt is properly tensioned. If all this is correct, it’s not impossible that something else failed, just highly unlikely. The next step after verifying the timing is correct would be to check fuel pressure and run a compression check. You would normally want to check for spark, but you have already done that. If the timing belt was off before and you turned it over at all, it could have damaged valves and that would cause the motor to have no compression. If these checks don’t yield any results, then you should consider contacting a professional technician, such as one available from YourMechanic, to diagnose the no start condition.
My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and
ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
My serpenting belt broke and i drove my car to a street, replaced the belt but now car wont start and its leaking oil from filter
ANSWER : Hi there. The broken serpentine belt shouldn’t have damaged your oil filter housing or the filter itself, so it’s likely that is an existing issue. In regards to why the car won’t start now, it’s possible that while you were replacing the serpentine belt, that an electrical connection or harness may have been removed and not reinstalled correctly on one of the ignition system senors or components. There could be multiple issues causing this problem, so it’s probably best to have one of our professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a car is hard to start inspection; so they can pinpoint the source of this problem and complete or recommend the right repairs.
Serp belt broke on my friends car, had belt replaced and now the car will not turn all the way over
ANSWER : Hi there – if, in fact, your friend drove the vehicle more than a minute or two, it likely overheated seriously since the serpentine belt drives the water pump, and a blown head gasket resulted. There would have been a drain on the battery as well, but the overheating would have occurred more quickly than draining the battery. Check the coolant level, and engine compression – looking for low compression (more than a 15% variance) between 2 adjacent cylinders. I recommend a no start inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
My car stutter starts, but only after driving it for a few minutes.
ANSWER : Hey there. This may also be caused by what is called the fuel pressure regulator. This is a unit that helps to maintain the fuel pressure at the proper level. When this is not working properly, the fuel pump may be pumping properly, but the fuel may not arrive at the fuel injectors at the proper psi. When this happens, this can cause a lean fuel condition which may cause the car to hesitate, misfire, or stall. If you would like to have an expert pinpoint the issue, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to inspect the hard start problem and confirm which repairs are needed.
Replaced a timing belt and timing belt tensioner pulley. Still wont run. Why?
ANSWER : If you broke the timing belt while driving then you may have bent the valves. You should have the engine compression checked to see if you are loosing compression due to bent valves. If compression is low then have cylinders leak tested to see which cylinder is leaking and what valves are bent.
Replaced alternator on car 2 times each time shows it’s charging 14v let car run for a little bit then test drive and car voltage
ANSWER : There are reports that the replacement alternators will not communicate with the engine computer and will not charge correctly. I recommend using only the manufacturer approved replacement part. It can be new or remanufactured but approved for use in the vehicle. Some lower cost alternators on the aftermarket will have charging problems since they will not communicate with the ECM on the vehicle and will stop charging.
car wont turn, everything is new!!
ANSWER : Hi there. In most cases when you take the key out of the ignition lock cylinder and put it back in, that’s the source of your starting problem. The ignition lock cylinder is made of of multiple tumblers and locks that must all work together in order to activate the ignition system and begin the starting process. There are two independent systems that are controlled by the ignition lock cylinder, the starter relay, ignition relay and the fuel pump relay. It’s possible that one of these connections is faulty; but usually replacing the ignition lock cylinder is the best course of action.
