Not cranked in a year

Hi Ace,

How much starter fluid did you spray? The only way it will back fire back into the intake is if the timing is off and the combustion comes back through the intake valve into the intake. The other way, is if there is too much fuel in the intake and it ignites. Usually, this is only when it is hot so I assume you have a valve hanging open.

Which engine do you have? If it is one of the world engines, then you have what are called phasers. The exhaust phaser has a return spring which will put the valve timing back to base or lock pin. The intake phasers do not have this return spring so it is a chance that due to sitting for so long that this has frozen. These are moved off of oil pressure, so without dissembling the front of the engine there is no way of checking them. Plus you will need the cam shaft lock tool or else you will not be able to hold the motor in time while working on it and reinstalling the chains.

Let me know this stuff first and then we can go from there.

Okay. Thanks for the update. Feel free to run their diagnosis past me if you want a second opinion or just confirmation that what they are saying makes sense.