1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass 1997 Cutlass no start

RACERXXX_5

MEMBER
1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
152,800 MILES

I'm working on a friends 97 olds cutlass (3100 v6) she says it was driving normal and just cut out. 152K miles on it, and for what she paid I'm sure no real upkeep has been done on the car. It turns over fine, and sounds like it's about to start, but wont. It has fuel pressure and spark. (I verfied both and if you keep cranking the engine it backfires through the intake) It sounds like it might have jumped timing. But before I take the front of the motor off I was wondering if there are any sensors that could have gone bad, -cam positioning or crank positioning and if the car had a belt or chain? Or any other ideas?

2 Replies

LEGITIMATE007

MECHANIC
5,121 POSTS

Could be several simple things actually, start by inspecting the air intake, for some simple things, such as, clogged airfilter, any cracks or holes in the "accordian tube"(intake tube connected to the airbox). Then check the throttle body for possible vacuum leaks, then take a look at the egr valve and hose going to the egr valve for clogs or cracks. Check/change pcv valve. Surprisingly, a silly little pcv valve will cause a no start. Then of course there is your suspicion of the timing being off, which is a good possibility. But I am thinking that it should have caused some damage to the valves, if this was the case.(Usually). Keep me posted please.

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Thursday, August 5th, 2010 AT 10:12 AM

RACERXXX_5

MEMBER
2 POSTS

When she had the car towed to me the plastic tube that leads to the pcv valve was out of the "accordian tube" initially I thought that was the problem. (Vacume lead after the maf-but in my experience usualy the car will start, just cut right off) The "accordian tube" is fine, no cracks, the pcv tube seems okay as well (it looks like the pcv valve must be in the intake manifold itself so I will have to dig around to check that) The airbox has sustained major damage though. Litterally breaking apart where the two halves connect. My guess is the engine backfired and blew it apart, but having never seen the car before I can't be sure it wasn't already like that. As I said; the car turns over fine, and sound like it wants to start (timing retarted sort of sound) but it just wont start, not even a little. I'm guessing the next step is going to be the timing cover to see if that's it. Thanks for the help

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Thursday, August 5th, 2010 AT 11:21 AM