[RESOLVED] Engine just stopped running

[Chrono64]

So tonight on my way home from work, my engine just stopped running, and I have no idea exactly what the problem could be. The engine was just recently rebuilt, with about 500 miles on it since the rebuild, and it's been running great the entire time. After the car died, any attempts to start just resulted in constant cranking but nothing was firing. Anybody got any good ideas as to what may have gone wrong?

 

[kahl23]

No knocking sounds or anything? If it cranks and doesn't start, it's probably either fuel or spark. Make sure that your wiring harnesses are all connected to both systems. If that doesn't work, do a compression test. If there weren't any ominous sounds coming from the block and it still cranks fine you shouldn't be too screwed.

 

[ArticNemesis]

Have you checked to see that your timing belt is still intact, and everything is in line?

 

[Chrono64]

All my belts are fully intact and everything is still in good shape. Almost anything that would need replacing was replaced when it was rebuilt. I'll check my wiring and my fuel systems in the morning when things have cooled off and I can really see what I'm doing. On the bright side, I was at least able to get it hauled home immediately. I'll post updates on the situation tomorrow when I get a better look at things.

 

[93_tsi_fwd]

Eventho your timing belt is new, it still has a chance to fail. Take out the top timing belt cover and crank it and see it the top end spins. if it doesnt, then timing belt teeth ripped off at the crank sprocket. If it does, then its somewhere in the ignition system. CAS, ignition coil pack, ECU or fuel system...etc...etc..

 

[DSM nOOb]

i had the same problem after a recent rebuild and somewhere during the rebuild i damaged my crank sensor but not enough to stop working until about 300 miles later.

 

[Chrono64]

I really hate it when you guys are right. Took the timing belt cover off today and cranked it a bit just to see that everything moved. Cams don't move when I crank the engine, so I'm pretty well screwed for the time being. Called up a friend and we're either tearing apart the head or pulling the whole engine since I'm going to need to replace a number of valves, and I'm taking this opportunity add a few mods to it. Thanks, everyone, for all your help.


EDIT:And of course we're replacing the timing belt and all that good stuff, too

EDIT (AGAIN):Just had an idea thrown at me to try before I tear the head apart. I was told that if I tried replacing the timing belt and then running a compression test and everything tests fine, I should be okay with that. Any thoughts on this?

 

[kwheeler]

My daughter lost a timing belt on her Honda and we tried the "install a new belt first" trick only to find a bent intake valve in one cylinder and a bent exhaust valve in another. It would run but not well, when we did a compression test the two cylinders with bent vales showed 0, the other 2 were fine.
Long story short, we pulled the head, replaced the valves, threw it back on and everything is fine. It turned out to be a waste of time to install the new belt but my daughter and her boy friend learned how to set the timing.

I'd just pull the head, get the valves fixed and go from there.

kwheeler

 

[ArticNemesis]

EDIT (AGAIN):Just had an idea thrown at me to try before I tear the head apart. I was told that if I tried replacing the timing belt and then running a compression test and everything tests fine, I should be okay with that. Any thoughts on this?

You are pretty much guaranteed to have bent valves. Pull the head, and either fix that, or find a decent used one.

It sucks to lose a timing belt.

 

[93_tsi_fwd]

EDIT (AGAIN):Just had an idea thrown at me to try before I tear the head apart. I was told that if I tried replacing the timing belt and then running a compression test and everything tests fine, I should be okay with that. Any thoughts on this?

You'll have at least 2 bent valves. my timing belt teeth ripped off a month ago and I just put a timing belt on to get it running. Yes, im running it with a bent valve. Try putting on a timing belt and do a compression test.

 

[92-eagle-talon]

sorry dude, been there i know how bad that sucks, hopefully you're one of the lucky ones like me to not have bent valves. How fast were you going when it died ? I was coming to a stop at about 10 or15 mph, threw it in neutral and it died. pray to the dsm gods that your valves aren't bent. Put the new timing belt on with new tensioners and idler pulley also be sure to replace the balance shaft belt and tensioner. I used this kit :


4G63 4G63T 2.0 DOHC Timing Belts & Bearings KIT Mitsubishi and Hyundai Depending on the mileage of your car you may want this one :
4G63 4G63T Mitsubishi Timing Kit Package 1All Engines '89 thru 1992
It comes with a water pump and new auto tensioner, If your auto tensioner leaks or is easily compressed you should replace it.
replace the belts and tensioners first then do a compression test, be sure to pull the fuse for mpi (located by the positive battery cable) when you do compression test. When you do the compression test it isn't necessary to put all the drive belts and pulleys back on.
(ac/alternator/power steering/water pump) Just in case you have to pull the head
Good luck !

 

[Chrono64]

I was going maybe 30 mph when it went, I was actually slowing down to avoid hitting some deer on the road. I'm thinking I shouldn't really need all those bearings though, mainly because when I had it rebuilt, those were just replaced and everything. Thanks for all the advice on this, sounds like I'll definitely be tearing the head apart then, and sorry on the late reply, a tornado took out power in my area Saturday at about noon and it wasn't back until last night.