Engine No Start

Tiny
JAYX SKYE
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 SUZUKI SIDEKICK
  • 1.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • RWD
  • MANUAL
  • 55,000 MILES
Hi,

My vehicle will no longer start. It occasionally stumbled or hesitated in first and second, but then recently on my way home it would not rev over 3000 rpm's. The next morning it started but ran rough. Fiddled with a few things and now it no longer starts. There was an occasional sound that was not relative to engine speed and I could not repeat it. It sounded like a big washer spinning and clinking on the prop shaft and it was from somewhere in the engine.

The following was tried:
Injector cleaner added to tank. Mostly drained and replaced with clean fuel.
Cleaned throttle body and checked MAP sensor against known specifications.
Checked crank position sensor, tested fine, but replaced it anyway.
Removed and cleaned injectors with carburetor cleaner attached to tubes; actuating with battery. A lot of grit came out of two.
Check camshaft position sensor. It tested way off and replaced it.
New plugs.
Checked spark on both coils.
Did not check fuel pressure, but plenty spray when I release the hose and plugs wet.
Removed and cleaned fuel pressure unit.
Checked cam belt timing, all good.
Took compression readings with “modified” tester (sparkplug with tube to reach deep enough)
Psi Readings Cylinder :
1. 90
2.90
3.105
4.90
No wet compression test done.

No oil leaks, no smoke, immediate cold start and perfect idle. No engine light.

Receiving scanner tomorrow to check for any codes.

When attempting to start with a freshly charged battery it does not even try. Just a bit of a boof boof here and there that sounds way off the mark.
Thanks
Monday, June 13th, 2016 AT 11:55 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,665 POSTS
Hey JAYX,

It looks like the compression is way low and is the source of your problem. Can you double check the timing belts timing to see if has jumped? Also I do not show a sidekick for 2013?
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Wednesday, June 15th, 2016 AT 8:17 PM
Tiny
JAYX SKYE
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  • 5 POSTS
Hi Ken,

Thank you for your response.

My engine resembles the Chinese Sidekick & all photos/guides are an exact match to mine.

My van is a DFSK (Dongfeng Sokon) 1.3 16v

I stripped pipes & covers this morning to access my cam belt & all seems to be in order. Please note that it is impossible to where the Camshaft pulley head on, due to body work being in the way.

The symptoms definitely resembles a "one tooth out" situation, but it seems dead on.

Could a stretched belt cause this?

Like I said before; no smoke, normal performance, no oil/water mixture, compression test fairly regular across the cylinders.

Do I start stripping? Drop the sump? Lift the head? Just gets soooo expensive!

Looking forward to your/a response.

Thanks,
J
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Saturday, June 18th, 2016 AT 3:48 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Nice work on the pictures, I have seen where the crankshaft key way will dig into the bottom crank gear for the timing belt which will retard the timing even though the marks are on, can you put the engine on top dead center then pull the number #1 plug and using a flash light check the piston to see if its at the top of its stroke, you will need to have someone rock the engine back and forth at the crankshaft while you watch, this will let us know if the bottom is all good.
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Saturday, June 18th, 2016 AT 8:49 AM
Tiny
JAYX SKYE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I kept periodically check my oil for water or whatever. It now has a very strong smell of fuel. I assume this was caused to due continues cranking, causing the unburnt fuel to push past the rings?

A oil & filter change at the same time then.
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Saturday, June 18th, 2016 AT 9:04 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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That is a safe assumption, but all oil inside of engine smells like fuel after all the engine is burning it. Please check the piston location in the bore @ tdc
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Saturday, June 18th, 2016 AT 9:07 AM
Tiny
JAYX SKYE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hi Ken,

Replaced the timing belt tensioner. Lined up the marks & confirmed #1 piston is at the top. Engine will briefly fire up at about a quarter throttle but die if there's variation on the throttle position. Sounds like it's completely flat/hollow/running on 2.

One of the belts also squeals intermittently. Tightened up the alternator's belt but the squeal persisted.
Trying to figure out how the cam belt might be squealing. I'll open all this up again tomorrow.

I was so confident after the engine started with the tightened cam belt. Now I just don't know.

My scanner throws a P0444 code (evap solenoid open). I disconnected & plugged the entry to the inlet manifold to no avail.

I just can't get "timing" out of my head.

The crankshaft position sensor(permanent magnet)(new unit fitted) installs on top of the bell housing and apparently triggers on the fly wheel's teeth. The clutch was recently done by another guy. Could something have been disturbed? Don't think so.

By "bottom" you mean big ends?

I'll do another compression test. It feels a lot "tighter" than before when manually turning over the motor.

Exasperated,
J
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Sunday, June 19th, 2016 AT 8:29 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Hey, it sounds like we are getting closer, I am wondering if the exhaust is plugged causing the low compression, lets disconnect the exhaust from the manifold until we get things going. Lets do a manual check on the camshaft and crankshaft timing so we can put that behind us, with the crankshaft on TDC, the camshaft intake and exhaust lobes should be split on their valve over lap (exhaust still open a little and intake just starting to open.) If the lobes are on the compression stroke and the lobes are furthest away turn the crankshaft one turn and recheck.

Best, Ken
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Monday, June 20th, 2016 AT 8:00 AM
Tiny
JAYX SKYE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hi Ken,

The catalytical convert "collapsed". I removed the big pieces & eventually cleared the whole thing out on the bench.

The engine fires up immediately & revs smoothly. Very relieved.

There's a "sound" at idle that sounds like the timing belt. I'm stripping for the last time tomorrow to go over everything one more time.

I believe we nailed it though. Unbelievable how similar symptoms can be.

I'll report back again tomorrow.

Thanks for all your input!
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Monday, June 20th, 2016 AT 1:08 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Glad to hear, I knew we could fix it, nice work and good job hanging in there.

Best, Ken
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Monday, June 20th, 2016 AT 6:41 PM

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