Cranks no start after overheating

LEOSTEALTH1

MEMBER
2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
3.5L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
144,000 MILES

Car overheated, let it cool. Radiator and reservoir empty. No sign of antifreeze in engine compartment. Ran a scan, showed camshaft position error. Cleared error. No start. Cranked several more times error returned. Checked all fuses (okay). Dipstick showing no signs of antifreeze. Oil cap clean. Removed plugs no signs of fouling. Slight leak from from what I think is the water pump area, Timing belt should have been changed at 140,000 miles. I'm working with limited tools and knowledge. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

6 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,740 POSTS

Hi,

If it overheated, the cylinder head could have warped. Do me a favor. Record it cranking and upload it for me to hear. I should be able to tell if it is a compression or timing issue by hearing it.

If you can't do that, then I need you to check for spark and fuel to the engine. The easiest thing to do is see if it starts for a couple of seconds using starting fluid. If it does and then stalls, it is likely a fuel-related issue. If it doesn't change, then it could be an ignition issue or what I mentioned above.

Here are two links. One is for checking for spark and the other is for checking fuel pressure.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

Also, here is a link that covers the most common causes of a crank no start condition:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

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Friday, April 30th, 2021 AT 9:37 PM

LEOSTEALTH1

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4 POSTS

I hope this helps. And thank you!

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Saturday, May 1st, 2021 AT 8:43 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,740 POSTS

Hi,

It doesn't sound like a timing or compression issue. That's a good thing. Were you able to check for spark and fuel to the engine? Also, were you able to try the starting fluid method? One more question. Are you able to get your hands on a scan tool so we can check if there are codes? It's easy to do. Here is a quick video showing how it's done:

https://youtu.be/b2IJGfImVvw

I have a feeling you lost spark to the plugs, but the only way to know is either checking for spark or scanning the computer to see if there is a related code. Above, I provided a link that shows how to check for spark. Also, let me know if when it overheated, coolant was spraying around under the hood.

Let me know.

Joe

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Saturday, May 1st, 2021 AT 8:07 PM

LEOSTEALTH1

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4 POSTS

Hi Joe,

I did use a scanner to check for error codes. It came up with a po340 which looking at the Santa Fe code manual it a camshaft sensor position error. I cleared it but it did come back after cranking a few more times. There was no antifreeze in the or around engine compartment. I brought a compression gauge but only checked 1 cylinder. I did not remove the remaining plugs. Pressure was 120 PSI. I also used starting fluid as per you're last suggestion. I sprayed into the hose from the air filer to the engine. Still no start. I really appreciate you're help by the my name is Leo.
Thanks Joe for all you're help!

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Saturday, May 1st, 2021 AT 11:29 PM

LEOSTEALTH1

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Hi Joe,

I picked up a spark plug and plug wire light today, I could only check the first 3 plugs in front of the engine, the other 3 are under a manifold. The test lite had and was flashing and according to the directions the wire is good and the spark plug had spark. I did remove the hose from the air filter to throttle assembly and shot starting fluid into it still no start. When I opened the throttle before I shot the starter fluid I did spell gas. A few things I've been thinking about, the rad holds 8.8 quarts of antifreeze, the reservoir holds approximately 1 quart give or take. When I refilled the radiator and the reservoir I used 3/4 gallon of antifreeze. Also the 1 plug that I took out for the compression check was dry not sure if that matters. Thanks once again, Leo

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Sunday, May 2nd, 2021 AT 11:24 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,740 POSTS

Hi Leo,

Likely, there was still coolant in the engine. That's why it didn't take as much.

I have a concern. First, if you have spark and it doesn't do anything with starting fluid, it sounds like a timing issue. This engine has a timing belt, so it could have jumped.

I have one last thing I need you to check and that is the fuel injectors. We need to check for an electrical pulse to them. It could have fuel pressure, but if the injectors are not firing, nothing is going into the engine. Usually, starting fluid will identify if it is a fuel problem, but anything is possible.

If the timing is correct, you have spark, you have fuel, and you have compression, the engine has no choice but to run, so we are missing something.

The idea that the plug was dry leads me to think the injectors are not pulsing or fuel pressure is too low (even though you smelled it).

To check for an injector pulse, you can use a test light. Simply ground the one side, disconnect the connector off one of the injectors, and have someone crank the engine to see if the test light goes on and off.

Here is a link that explains how to check one. If you have an injection pulse, then we need to go ahead and confirm fuel pressure is within spec.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

Let me know what you find.

Joe

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Sunday, May 2nd, 2021 AT 5:43 PM