Fuel/Spark/Compression makes an engine run

[BoBbOrAzE]

My 1990 1.8l will not run for some crazy reason. Ive looked through every old thread with similar problems and they all seem to not be answered or the poster overlooked a part.

My fuel pump turns on, my injectors pulse, the plugs smell of gas, I can see fuel vapor in the chamber. I have tried also with starter fluid. I have fuel.

My compression measures 180psi across which also indicates good timing. I have compression/timing.

My spark is bright and blue.

Yet when I attempt to start it it just cranks, I dont even get a sputter/backfire/explosion/ping, nothing happens. Assuming its ignition timing I have adjusted the distributor a million different ways, aligned piston #1 to tdc and rotor to #1 wire a million times. I cant figure out how nothing ignites or anything? I drained the gas and refilled, I have a good used 90 ecu from a running car. I have let the chambers air out in case they were flooded. I just dont know what else to do? If anyone has any ideas please throw them out here.

 

[brute]

You could use a timing light just to double-check the timing.

Or maybe, if you think your starter wires may be bad, you can check that. My Camry would sometimes not start, and after replacing the starter, ignition switch, various relays, etc., I just ran a wire from the 12V connection on the starter right to the battery. You turn the key in the "On" position, put the wire on the starter, then right when you touch the other end of the wire to the battery, it starts right up. The Camry's problem was somewhere in the wire loom that I was too lazy to go through. You might try that. But since it's cranking, I don't know.

 

[mjarrell20]

I would check the timing again but it sounds like the ignition or starter is bad.

 

[BoBbOrAzE]

yea im about to go buy a timing light. The car cranks strong so I dont think the starter would be the problem?

 

[steve]

The spark has to be delivered at the right time for things to work and too much fuel can cause problems as anybody with a bad ECT sensor will tell you.

Once you have your timing light you can see if cylinder 1 is firing at the right time. Unlike the DOHC engines the SOHC doesn't run a wasted spark so if your half a cycle out the car won't run.

Steve

 

[Newlogics]

yea im about to go buy a timing light. The car cranks strong so I dont think the starter would be the problem?

Here's he brakdown:
If you have fuel, spark and compression, then the only reason car may not start is incorrect timing. Start there. If car doesn't even cough and there is absolutely no sound of any combustion, then your timing must be off by a lot, so see if distributor or cap are mounted 180* off.

 

[BoBbOrAzE]

ok I have purchased the timing light and now im getting somewhere. I marked the pulley at tdc with white out and im turning the car over then pulling out the distributor, rotating the gear teeth a little and putting it back in. I have done this a good 9 or 10 times. A couple times the engine starts to fire and it coughs and sputters. Im just having a hard time getting the white line to line up. The spark is supposed to fire at tdc correct?

 

[92awddsm]

ok I have purchased the timing light and now im getting somewhere. I marked the pulley at tdc with white out and im turning the car over then pulling out the distributor, rotating the gear teeth a little and putting it back in. I have done this a good 9 or 10 times. A couple times the engine starts to fire and it coughs and sputters. Im just having a hard time getting the white line to line up. The spark is supposed to fire at tdc correct?

Bring the #1 cylinder to tdc, and pull off the distributor can. Verify that the rotor is pointing at the #1 plug wire terminal. If it is not, put the #1 plugwire on the terminal that the rotor is pointing to. Then run the wires in the correct firing order on the distributor going counter clockwise if you are on the pass side looking at the cap. I dont have my book handy so I cant give you the correct order for the 1.8

 

[BoBbOrAzE]

I got it running! Thanks everyone. I did it all by doing what everyone said and watching the timing light and slowly I adjusted it until the line was in spec and it started running on its own. Not sure exactly how people know where its supposed to be though? I mean I can advance and retard the distributor a lot and the engine still runs and sounds alright.

Currently though when I attempt to push the rpm past half throttle in or out of gear the engine bogs down. Ive adjusted the dist a ton and its pretty much the same. Not sure if its because of the ignition timing? Too much fuel? too much air? My uncle says its because the vacuum advance isnt working? If anyone has any ideas now why it would be bogging out after half throttle let me know.

 

[xman]

Your timing it should be set to 5deg BTDC before top dead center

 

[BoBbOrAzE]

Thanks, I found that info and to the best of my knowledge it is exactly at that. The timing seems to be fine the car can idle and go into gear fine. Honestly up to half throttle its like a completely normal car. Anything over 1/2 throttle just bogs out no matter how slow I push down the throttle or anything else like that. What could that be???? If anyone wants a video haha just let me know ill take one.

 

[brute]

Cam Angle Sensor?

 

[BoBbOrAzE]

well thats built into the distributor and it seems to be ok im guessing. Im not throwing any cels and this distributor ran fine before the ecu went bad.