HELP! Won't start after timing chain replace.
#1
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HELP! Won't start after timing chain replace.
I've spent the last three days working on my '91 Olds 3800. The cam magnet had broken and since it had 205k and never had the timing chain replaced I figured I might as well do that too. I buttoned up the job this evening, and the engine would not start. Any suggestions of what to check before having to pull the cover again. I'm thinking the timing is off........... When I put the cam gear back on, I was careful not to turn the cam or the crank and just put everything back on as I'd taken off the old. Was this a mistake not to line up the dots on the cam gear and balance shaft gear? I thought if I just replaced each gear as it had come off on the keyed slots...not moving the cam and balance gear I'd be ok, guess not. If I have to take it back out...both those gears have dots to line up....so where should the crank be as there are no dots to line up there like on the old 3.8 engine. Additionally, could the problem be in the crank sensor, I understand this needs to be aligned as well, BUT it is held on with just 2 bolts and there seems to be no adjustment in putting the bolts back thru the holes and tightening them up.
Thanks for any help.....I'm really hoping I don't have to pull the cover again.....it'* a lot of work.....BUT I have this feeling that'* where I'm headed.
I feel I've wasted a bunch of time........5 quarts of new oil and a gallon of Anti-freeze which seems to be raising in price about as fast as gasoline.
Thanks for any help.....I'm really hoping I don't have to pull the cover again.....it'* a lot of work.....BUT I have this feeling that'* where I'm headed.
I feel I've wasted a bunch of time........5 quarts of new oil and a gallon of Anti-freeze which seems to be raising in price about as fast as gasoline.
#3
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Originally Posted by opensourceguy
you gotta line up the lines.. otherwise it won't be accurate no matte rhowe careful you were
-justin
-justin
#4
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Additional?
Ok, the "dots" on the balance gear and cam gear point toward each other...then is there a specific setting for the crankshaft which has no markings on the gear as I'm accustomed to.
Would the crank sensor keep it from starting?
Thanks
Would the crank sensor keep it from starting?
Thanks
#6
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These cars are very easyo to set the timming on... Usually what you do before you remove the timming chain is install the crank bolt and turn the engine untill the dots line up, at least that way the timming will be true, you should have cyl #1 TDC with the crank timming mark at 12 o'clock and the cam gear at 6 o'clock... You didn't touch the balance shaft gear did you?
If you only removed the 2 bolts holding the crank sensor on, then I seriously doubt that you have changed the alignment of the sensor... And yes it can be changed via another bolt on the bracket...
I'm thinking that the timming is off... Good Luck..
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If you only removed the 2 bolts holding the crank sensor on, then I seriously doubt that you have changed the alignment of the sensor... And yes it can be changed via another bolt on the bracket...
I'm thinking that the timming is off... Good Luck..
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#7
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I know, thanks
I hate to think about all that work to take the cover off again. I did not line up the dots on the cam and balance gear. I just went back on with the new in the same position that I took the old one off...being careful not to move anything. I guess that was my problem. There is no markings at all on the crank gear, so I'll have to make sure I have that right.....would 12 o'clock on the crank correspond with the slotted key on the crank. The last one of these I did had markings.......and a distributor.
Thanks
Thanks
#8
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS
Expert Gearhead
Take a look at the balancer for the groove in relation to the timing mark on the outside of it. Probably off a little. They do that kind of stuff to keep us on our toes.
#9
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Re: I know, thanks
Originally Posted by dandyd
I hate to think about all that work to take the cover off again. I did not line up the dots on the cam and balance gear. I just went back on with the new in the same position that I took the old one off...being careful not to move anything. I guess that was my problem. There is no markings at all on the crank gear, so I'll have to make sure I have that right.....would 12 o'clock on the crank correspond with the slotted key on the crank. The last one of these I did had markings.......and a distributor.
Thanks
Thanks
#10
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Chilton'*
I have Haynes......I'm finding it inferior. Most of the info. is dedicated to the pre-3800 engine set-up. I'll look for the Chilton.