Been out for too long

[1995TaLoNDSM]

Hey guys, I haven't been able to work on my car in ages, I haven't had the time to. I've had this car for about 3 years. I'm trying to relearn everything I've forgotten. I have a video of my car from two October's ago (2010) This is the last I was able to work on my car, back when I was in high school without a job, making 0 money, just side jobs. Now that I have a full time job, with decent pay, I'm ready to jump back in the game, and get this car running right. In this video you will see that I attempt to start it, and it starts to run. The only issue is that you can clearly hear the ticking noise. I can't tell if it's lifter tick or something far more worse. You can see the white smoke building. I was by myself when I filmed this.

The car was bought by myself for $600 in non running condition. This was located literally right down the street from me. The owner had parked it at a restaurant because right at that light, the timing belt snapped. I don't know what caused this to fail, as I was going to try and figure it out. The car has 121,xxx on almost 122K so this should be going on it's second timing belt, so that may have caused it. Either way I bought a new timing belt and alternator belt since that one was crap as well. This car is a 1995 Tsi FWD, completely stock, other than the Injen CAI, and NGK wires along with Bosch Platinum plugs.




When the belt snapped, it most definitely bent a few valves, and kissed the piston. I bought a new head with valves and squirters included. This head was from a 97, and apparently there is something slightly different with the thermostat housing. So I took the valves from the 97 head and put them in my head. I was stupid back then, and didn't know shit about cars, so I reused the original head gasket. When I bought the car, the person before me that had it must have attempted to take the head off, because the bolts were all stripped, and it took me forever to get the bolts grinded down so I could get the head off originally. So I bought a set of ARP headstuds to replace them. Sorry for the long post, and please ask me any questions as I may have forgotten some key information. The car isn't currently where I'm at, so I cannot look at the car for information, just going off of memory. When I timed it, I didn't have a timing light, so I just based it off of the timing marks. I've re-timed the belt at least 30 times, and the exhaust cam always ends up 1 tooth off. I have no idea if this can cause the rough start. It will go to 2000 rpms, then back to 1500, then to 17, 1500, 2000 etc etc. Again sorry for the long post, But I really appreciate it if someone could give me some advice, like I said, I'm trying to get back into the swing of things and do this the right way. I have a fel pro head gasket on the way as well.

Tyler


Link to video- My Movie - YouTube

 

[Cdc1221]

Whoa dude your timing is way off from the sound of things. I would definitely not crank that up again until you replace the gasket and timed it right. And a timing light is for ignition timing, which is not applicable on these cars. Also, hope and pray you didnt bend another valve or 5

 

[1995TaLoNDSM]

Whoa dude your timing is way off from the sound of things. I would definitely not crank that up again until you replace the gasket and timed it right. And a timing light is for ignition timing, which is not applicable on these cars. Also, hope and pray you didnt bend another valve or 5

Yeah, I thought the timing was off, but I didn't think it was way off. The cam's showed the exhaust was advanced one tooth, while everything else was spot on. I haven't cranked it since that day. I'm in Naperville, and the car is at my mom's in westmont, so that's the other issue, actually getting out there to work on it. I have a head gasket on the way right now. This car has the original gas in it, so I don;t think it will suffice for a proper start. I just don't know what could possible be causing the smoke. I'm sure it could be a million different things. Thanks for the quick reply. When I timed it, I had a screw driver in piston 1's spark plug area, and took it all the way until it was TDC.

 

[Cdc1221]

Cant help with the timing as ive yet to actually time one fortunately. But it was all that knocking that said crap, valves are bending . Could be wrong though. But theres plenty of good info on this site and im sure if you look on the engine tech threads, youll find 40 about timing these blasted things . Good luck to ya.

 

[Rsawd95dsm]

If the timing is one tooth off (no offense) its wrong everything needs to line up perfectly regardless of how many time you checked the timing

 

[1995TaLoNDSM]

Cant help with the timing as ive yet to actually time one fortunately. But it was all that knocking that said crap, valves are bending . Could be wrong though. But theres plenty of good info on this site and im sure if you look on the engine tech threads, youll find 40 about timing these blasted things . Good luck to ya.

I've read a lot on timing, including vfaq, and I don't know why I'm always off one tooth. I'll keep reading, I just wish there was someone in the area that could help me through the first time. I learn better hands on than reading off of forums, as do a lot of people.

If the timing is one tooth off (no offense) its wrong everything needs to line up perfectly regardless of how many time you checked the timing

None taken. I was 16 when I bought this and attempted to time it. The last time I tried it I was 18, and I'm now 20. I realize that I was dumb then, and I'm trying to learn things the right way. Could that smoke be because of the timing as well you think?

 

[Rsawd95dsm]

could be or could be that it might have a bad head gasket wouldnt hurt to check the compression of the cylinders as well

 

[1995TaLoNDSM]

could be or could be that it might have a bad head gasket wouldnt hurt to check the compression of the cylinders as well

Well if it's the head gasket that would explain it. I was naive and reused the original head gasket. I have a new one coming soon. Fel-pro. I will most definitely check the cylinders when I get a chance to. Thanks for all of your input guys, and and all help is appreciated.

 

[DSMTyson]

Sounds like the valves kissing the pistons to me. Happened to me. Timing belt jumped 3 teeth. Luckily I didn't bend any valves. But rebuilt the head anyways.

Set the timing belt correctly and do a compression test.

 

[1995TaLoNDSM]

This weekend, I will be getting my car towed to my girlfriend's dad's house where I will continue work on it. It will be closer to me, and I will actually start to disassemble it and once I get my head gasket, I will do it all over again. I will time it right and also do a compression test, and I will let you guys know what I find, and I will keep you updated. Thanks for all of your input, it is much appreciated.