[RESOLVED] Rebuilding a '90 Talon TSi, engine will not fire

[Akoi Meexx]

Hello all,

I bought a 1990 Eagle Talon as a project car from a friend. It has been sitting out doing nothing for close to 3 years until I picked it up, and things had been coming along great until I finally got to a point to fire it up. The starter is working fine, I'm getting fuel to the engine, and I'm getting spark from all four plugs. It turns over, but it sounds like there's no firing at all.

Video Example, mp4:
http://akoimeexx.com/_file/car-turnover_20080914.mp4

This is my first major rebuild project, as I'm more computer savvy than car savvy. Any suggestions or ideas?

Edit: Uploaded the video for embedding.
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i97.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid97.photobucket.com/albums/l205/akoimeexx/car-turnover_20080914.flv">

 

[Akoi Meexx]

Hate to bump this but I got completely buried. =/

 

[GSX93DSM]

I would check for timing since you say you have fuel and spark. Also might want to check out the ecu.

 

[bluegs03]

compression? if all of the pistons are shot then it wont turn over?

 

[jbouvier]

I would double check the timing and ecu as stated above. I had a similar problem with mine it turned out I had a couple of the wires backwards for the ignition system and a bad coil.

 

[Akoi Meexx]

New pistons in the block, the compression seems to be fine. Did the timing once, and as much fun as that was that's the last thing I want to do again. >.<

How would the ECU prevent the engine from even firing if I'm getting spark and gas? I'm not sure I follow...

 

[jbouvier]

I feel your pain on the timing. Make sure the ignition timing is set at 5* btdc. Like I said mine was simple I had the CAS and another plug backwards. Make sure the plugs aren't fouled and have the proper gapping.

 

[GSX93DSM]

That thing will fire all day long with spark and fuel and still not start if the ecu is bad. I would try swaing out the ecu if you have a spare one. Pull ecu out and open it up to check for leaking caps and damage. The car has sat for 3 years.

 

[Akoi Meexx]

Issue resolved! I went through and redid the entire timing set up myself (Last time a friend and I did it together so I'd have someone around that had done it before). Looks like the crankshaft was turned 180 degrees off; so much for the guy with experience knowing what he's doing. It started right up and stayed running.

I'll append a video after I head back into town. On dialup here at the farm.

 

[Akoi Meexx]

Update: For those who were follwing this annoyance:
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i97.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid97.photobucket.com/albums/l205/akoimeexx/car-turnover_20080921.flv">

After (at least) 3 years, it's running.