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Will the engine run at all if the timing is off.

Tiny
RICHDIETER
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 SATURN SL1
  • 135,000 MILES
I decided to install a new head after finding out the hard way (I bought it like this) the head was cracked. I have the new head bolted on, with a new timing chain and chain sprockets. The timing chain cover is on. I only work on the car on weekends when I have time. I should get it back together soon!
Anything else to watch out for when reinstalling the other parts?
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Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 AT 11:18 PM

34 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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So is the engine timed correctly?Do you need timing mark diagrams etc?That is a inference engine if your wrong and your off enough teeth on the timing chain setting it will bend valves.
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Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 AT 12:17 AM
Tiny
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Thanks for answering.
I think the timing is correct. I tried to get the engine to TDC before I removed the old head. Being an amatuer, I don't know if I did it correctly. I drew diagrams of the two old sprockets before removing them. But the new sprockets looked different than the old ones. Anyway, I matched the location of the valves on the two heads before installing the head so the new head is in the exact same position as the old one. THe chain went to the exact position I wanted it to go to. If the timing is off, it ain't off by much!
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Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 AT 1:16 AM
Tiny
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On the cam you line up the 3/16" dowl hole in the cam sprocket and the head with a drill bit. On the crank the timing mark on the gear lines up with the timing mark on the block. Then the two silver links go on the bottom of the crank gear and the one silver link lines up with the dot on the cam gear. Like in the diagram I posted. After that your home free on everything else. Was there oil mixed with the coolant?
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Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 AT 2:11 AM
Tiny
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Yes, there was oil in the coolant. I had a mechanic inspect the car. He's the one who told me the head was cracked.
Thanks for the diagram. I hope I dont need it.
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Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 AT 2:26 AM
Tiny
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Those are known for that when the heads crack you have to replace everything not just the head. You have to replace the upper and lower radiator hoses all the heater hoses the coolant bottle the thermostat the water pump. Then flush the heater core radiator etc.
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Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 AT 2:33 AM
Tiny
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Good news. I got this 96 Saturn back together, and it ran and sounded great. I ran it for about 30 seconds. Checked and filled the water and oil levels and started it again. Then it ran about a minute, very smoothly, and then it died.
It acts like it 's starved for fuel. Recommendations?
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Sunday, February 19th, 2012 AT 10:16 PM
Tiny
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What is your fuel pressure?Have you checked your coolant temp sensor yet?Any codes?
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Monday, February 20th, 2012 AT 12:47 AM
Tiny
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Havent checked any of that. Thanks for the tips.
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Monday, February 20th, 2012 AT 4:07 AM
Tiny
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Your welcome keep me posted.
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Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 AT 7:39 PM
Tiny
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I think the two wires got pulled out of the coolant temp sensor when I installed the new head. There is a blue and a yellow wire. I stuck them back into the sensor before I started it the first time. Does it matter where the blue and the yellow wire go?
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Thursday, February 23rd, 2012 AT 10:54 PM
Tiny
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The yellow wire goes to the A terminao and the black wire goes to the B terminal of the connector. Yes its a black wire not a blue wire going to the connector.I would get a new connector. Did the car start?
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Friday, February 24th, 2012 AT 12:20 AM
Tiny
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IT started and ran for about 30 seconds. I shut it off to check the fluid levels. I topped off the coolan=t and oil, then started it again.
THen it ran for about 60 seconds, it started to sound different, then it died.
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Friday, February 24th, 2012 AT 8:27 PM
Tiny
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Did you out a new connector on it?How did it sound different before it died?
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Friday, February 24th, 2012 AT 9:46 PM
Tiny
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I didn't put a new connector, I just stuck the two wires into the connector. (I didn't have a clue which one went where).
The engine almost sounded like it was a small diesel engine just before it died. It didn't take long to die. Maybe a couple of seconds.
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Saturday, February 25th, 2012 AT 12:27 AM
Tiny
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If you get a new connector I told you which color wires go to which letter terminals. The new connector will be labeled on the back of the connector A and b. The old is too on the connector over the connector where the wires go in. Did you check to make sure there wasnt any oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil?That there is no coolant in the spark plug holes when you remove the plugs.
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Saturday, February 25th, 2012 AT 1:57 AM
Tiny
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I got a connector for coolant temp. Sensor from a junk yard. I flushed the radiator, and replaced radiator upper and lower hoses. Also replaced smaller hose that goes from the coolant filler tank over to the head. Havent checked the spark plug holes yet.
THe car will turn over but won't start. I put the right front tire back on, and set down on all 4 tires. It's got a half tank of gas.
Also I got a code reader from a friend. It says there are no DTC's in the car's memory.
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Sunday, March 4th, 2012 AT 7:21 PM
Tiny
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So we know we have the correct compression on all the cylinders we checked that?Also we have spark to all four cylinders?What is the fuel pressure readings?
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Sunday, March 4th, 2012 AT 8:51 PM
Tiny
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I got a compression tester from Autozone. Left most cylinder checked 0 psi. The middle two cyl. Checked 50-55psi. The right most cylinder checked 0 psi. There was no water in the cyl's. Plenty of fuel where the spark plug openings are.
I tried to check the spark. It was difficult by myself. I think they were working.
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Sunday, March 11th, 2012 AT 3:09 PM
Tiny
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You went wrong somewhere the compression should be 175psi or more on all the cylinders.
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Sunday, March 11th, 2012 AT 4:11 PM
Tiny
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Thanks, I'll keep digging and let you know what I find.
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Sunday, March 11th, 2012 AT 4:45 PM

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