Changed water pump, now car won't start!

[WhiteCloud]

My 96 tsi awd was overheating...it would idle just fine, reach running temperature, and not get hotter. However, when I took it up to 40 mph around town, it would climb past running temp and up to 80-90% after 15 minutes, when I would proceed to turn it off.

After trying the simple fixes like radiator cap and new coolant, etc. I took it to a mechanic. He removed the radiator and had it cleaned, and they found a broken impeller from the water pump. We thought it had to be the water pump (a mechanic concurred--he checked the headgasket repeatedly and maintained that the HG was just fine!). Instead of paying the mechanic $350 to replace it, I decided to do it myself.

After removing everything, including the pump, the impellers were ALL fine. HOWEVER, the lower timing belt plastic cover had a wear mark where the water pump pulley had ground/melted a rut into the plastic. Surely this was my problem, so we sanded down the cover so it wouldn't rub, bolted it down more tightly, and put everything back together--plenty of clearance after we put it back together!

But after everything was back on the car, it won't start. The starting motor turns over rapidly, the timing belt spins, but no noise from the engine (like a piston hitting a valve, etc.). I have spark from the plugs, and I smell fuel, but nothing. Anyone have ideas--ask me for details if necessary!?


[timing belt was removed, and when we retimed it i believe everything was done properly according to the Haynes manual...cam sprockets' marks lined up (no more than 1 tooth off), crank sprocket lined up, timing belt not missing any teeth, good tension, etc.]

 

[i'm boosted]

Since you smell fuel that can be eliminated. Check for spark and compression. Since you were working on the timing belt side of the motor I would check compression next

 

[tmac5904]

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My 96 tsi awd was overheating...it would idle just fine, reach running temperature, and not get hotter. However, when I took it up to 40 mph around town, it would climb past running temp and up to 80-90% after 15 minutes, when I would proceed to turn it off.

After trying the simple fixes like radiator cap and new coolant, etc. I took it to a mechanic. He removed the radiator and had it cleaned, and they found a broken impeller from the water pump. We thought it had to be the water pump (a mechanic concurred--he checked the headgasket repeatedly and maintained that the HG was just fine!). Instead of paying the mechanic $350 to replace it, I decided to do it myself.

After removing everything, including the pump, the impellers were ALL fine. HOWEVER, the lower timing belt plastic cover had a wear mark where the water pump pulley had ground/melted a rut into the plastic. Surely this was my problem, so we sanded down the cover so it wouldn't rub, bolted it down more tightly, and put everything back together--plenty of clearance after we put it back together!

But after everything was back on the car, it won't start. The starting motor turns over rapidly, the timing belt spins, but no noise from the engine (like a piston hitting a valve, etc.). I have spark from the plugs, and I smell fuel, but nothing. Anyone have ideas--ask me for details if necessary!?


[timing belt was removed, and when we retimed it i believe everything was done properly according to the Haynes manual...cam sprockets' marks lined up (no more than 1 tooth off), crank sprocket lined up, timing belt not missing any teeth, good tension, etc.]

Did you check to see if you pluged all of the connectors in. If i rember correctly the crank sensor is down there it would need to be pluged to start the car if you need more halp ask.

 

[WhiteCloud]

I will check the crank angle sensor...can anyone give me a hint to more specifically where it is, because I'm not sure exactly what I'm looking for!

 

[luv2rallye]

The crank angle sensor is on the crankshaft sprocket and it's connector is just rear of the upper timing cover. Since you're getting spark I doubt it's the problem however. Check your compression. You didn't put the camshafts 180 degrees off did you? Here is the correct way to put on the timing belt - see if it matches what you did: http://www.vfaq.com/mods/timingbelt-2G.html Also did you check-replace thermostat for the overheating (and broken piece in the radiator)?

 

[WhiteCloud]

The mechanic I brought it to who cleaned the radiator ruled out the thermostat...but first things first, I'd like to get the car running again to test what we've adjusted on the water pump (the pulley was rubbing against the lower timing belt cover REALLY badly, so we tightened it down better!)

The timing is the most significant thing we "played with," because I don't think a power steering pump or alternator problem would keep the engine from starting.

Would I get spark and fuel if it is the cam angle or crank angle sensor malfunctioning? I know I get spark in at least one of the cylinders, and I will check the rest in just a second....

 

[luv2rallye]

Both cam angle and crank angle sensors must be working to get spark and fuel injection.

 

[leakyfaucet]

How did the mechanic rule out the thermostat? Even if it opens, it might not be opening properly or all the time. Replace it, it's like two dollars.

 

[WhiteCloud]

My battery just didn't have enough juice to fire the plugs consistently! AND THANK GOD it didn't--the next day I look at my cam sprockets and I notice that my buddy who timed the engine had the timing 180* reversed!!! God was smiling on me that day...never again will someone time my engine without me checking everything thoroughly!

What happened was I remembered the mechanic I took my car to for one night had left the door ajar or something, because he had run down my battery. They must have charged the car up quickly, and I only drove it straight home to do the work (10 mins.). So my battery hadn't built up enough of a charge to hold and start the car.

Case closed!