1994 Toyota Camry Changed Head Gasket, now Will not Start

DAVE H

MECHANIC
13,383 POSTS

Sorry. You are quite correct it is a non-interferance engine. Should have checked before posting. So we are back to loss of compression due to the head. We need to take it off and pressure test it ! There is a specail tool for doing this. But I have not come across one in the U.S.. Let me know

Cylinder Leakage Detection
When a cylinder produces a low reading, use of the Engine Cylinder Leak Detection/Air Pressurization Kit will be helpful in pinpointing the exact cause.
The leakage detector is inserted in the spark plug hole, the piston is brought up to dead center on the compression stroke, and compressed air is admitted.
Once the combustion chamber is pressurized, a special gauge included in the kit will read the percentage of leakage. Leakage exceeding 20 percent is excessive.
While the air pressure is retained in the cylinder, listen for the hiss of escaping air. A leak at the intake valve will be heard in the throttle body. A leak at the exhaust valve can be heard at the tail pipe. Leakage past the piston rings will be audible at the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) connection. If air is passing through a blown head gasket to an adjacent cylinder, the noise will be evident at the spark plug hole of the cylinder into which the air is leaking. Cracks in the cylinder block or gasket leakage into the cooling system may be detected by a stream of bubbles in the radiator.

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Sunday, January 18th, 2009 AT 8:33 AM

DIY-DUD

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Hi Dave,

I have not been able to get to the compression test yet, I do not posses a compressor, I did manage to find a leak down compression tester that would fit onto the end of an air compressor.

I have been talking to different people about the problem and one person said that the spark plugs should spark strong blue, and that they should spark even if they are held up away from a ground, but still being connected to the wire. My spark plugs did spark when I did the test that you had me do, but they did not spark strong blue, but yellow. I also tried to see if they would spark away from a ground and they would not. What do you think about this? Is it a weak spark? If this is so does it mean that the Control Module-Ignition might be faulty. If so, how would you even check to see if it is. I asked at a local parts store and they said that they could not test it. It is an expensive part and not one that I can just buy to see if it works.

This would not fix the compression but I was wondering if it might be a possible issue.

Thanks for your wise counsel.

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Friday, January 23rd, 2009 AT 7:31 PM

DAVE H

MECHANIC
13,383 POSTS

Hey DIY

I thought you had given up on me. Lol. Glad to see you are still trying to figure this out ! I know it must be frustrating for you !

It is true you should get a blue spark. But even though your spark is yellow which is a weak spark. The fact is you are getting a spark, and the car should firing up/attempting to fire up or be at least coughing and spluttering for you? We can look into the weak spark after we get it running ! You will not get any spark at all if you hold the spark plug away from a ground point. It is like any electrical connection. You need a hot and a ground for it to function. Remove any one of them and you loose the connection. When you screw the plug back in to the engine that is your ground. If you then unplug the wire off it you lose your hot feed . So it will not fire. Just like a headlight bulb if you remove the ground wire off it, it will not work. I'm having a problem with my computer tonight and cannot look at my manual. To get wiring diagram for the ignition module. Will let you know tommorrow. But as I said you are getting a (weak)spark. You are getting fuel. The only thing we have missing is full compression !

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Friday, January 23rd, 2009 AT 9:23 PM

PENNYEGREEN

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I am curious as to what the problem turned out to be even though its been a along time. Some of these cars had very sensative alarms that disabled driving the car if it is triggered. The only way to deactivate them is in the ownersmanual IF you have it. They had no key fob to easily turn them off. If you have to manual and u think the alarm wont allow the car to start a dealer is the only place that can fix it. I didnt realize my 94 camry had an alarm when I bought. I found the info needed to deactivate this alarm when reading the owners manual. Good thing cause when changing a fuse it activated and the car would not start. Another occasion, my battery went dead and did it again. With the manuals very specific info and directions, I realized my alarm had activated in the silent mode. I was able to disable the alarm and start my car. I have seen this style alarm a few times in mid 90's model imports. They each have specific code to enter to deactivate the alarm. Without the onwers book. You will need a tow to ur nearest dealer. On my camry the alarm runs thru the stereo. It has a toggle switch seemingly, randomly placed between the bottom of the steering columns right side and the cup holder/ashtray, console area. There is a small red light next to it. When the alarm is triggered, the light blinks to notify you. If set to silent, that little light may be the only indicator to tell you the alarm is why the car wont start. The info in the manual is there to prevent situations like this, but also to assist the owner in these exact situations.

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Monday, October 15th, 2012 AT 6:20 AM