90, 110, 160, 150

I can't get the engine to start. I get spark, fuel, and the cam timing looks right. The engine doesn't burn oil.

It is a 92LS.

 

I've gotten a engine with 65, 80, 92, and 130 compression numbers to start and drive. 3 pistons were shot, but the car still made it home and consistently could start and hold an idle. Sounded like a motorcycle though.

 

My compression reads 95 110 60 70 and it still runs OK but it smokes like hell when I floor it.

 

Is the valve adjustment in spec?


Jason

 

sounds right b\c we did a valve adjustment a while ago and it was to tight (if i remember correctly) and the car didnt want to start and when it did it would die out
oh and i have 65 psi of compression in one of my cylinders and the car starts liek a champ (being rebuild right now though)

if you dont mind me asking how did you get those numbers?

 

Well, yesterday I doublechecked that the engine is getting fuel by pulling out the injector rail and trying to start the car. Well, it definitly gets fuel, because it shot all over the engine bay. Dangerous stuff.

I know it gets spark because I connected up a timing light. How can I test that the actual spark plugs are firing?

I also checked to make sure that the distributer is not 180 degrees out of time, but it only fits in one way so that can't be the problem.

This problem is so strange.

I get fuel, compression, and spark, yet no explosions in the cylinders.

 

I did the compression test by removing all the spark plugs, opening the throttle all the way and cranking it 6-7 times per cylinder.

 

I can't help you but the car should start...

 

You can check the plugs by actually taking them out, making sure they're grounded against the head or something (for your safety), and cranking the engine. You can actually see the spark.

BTW, the fuel was spraying, right? Not streaming?

 

It looked like it was spraying to me, but a lot more fuel came through the 4th cylinder injector then the 1st.

I will try checking for spark with the plugs tonight. I'm quite close to paying a mechanic to come out and fix it at this point.

 

So I actually pulled the 1st cylinder plug and watched it fire. So I know for sure that it gets spark, fuel, and compression now. So it must be spark timing. Anyone know what I could do to test the ignition timing?

 

Well, I found out what the problem was. The distributer was 180 degrees out of time. The actual sensor on the inside was flipped upside down. You can tell that the timing is off when you hear back firing in the intake and exhaust and that is what could be heard when the engine was cranked over. I hope this helps out some people.

 

Thanks, one day i will benefit from that info