99 Alero 2.4 DOHC Wont start after timing chain replaced

[Siegel1719]

Ok just put a timing chain on a 99 Alero with the 2.4. All the timing marks are aligned correctly(Dont have the dowel pins for the camshaft sprockets but a bolt slides in and out no perfectly). I put everything back together and it started up no problem. Probably turned over for 2 seconds before it started. I let it run for a min or two and shut it off to add coolant. It will not start now. I did a compression test and its only showing around 90psi across the board. Has fuel for sure. Dont know about spark since its the stupid DIS Ignition and need a special tool and jumper cables to test for spark. Anyone have any ideas? Could the new hydraulic tensioner be bad and cause this? Or do you guys think it is needing a motor?

Im stumped cuz it started up the first time and ran perfect. No smoke or noises or anything. Should I do a leak down test or try to find someone with a scope so I can look inside the cylinders.

Just for reference the old chain was not broken but had a TON of slack in it.

Thanks in advance
Jeremy

 

[raroz28]

Ok just put a timing chain on a 99 Alero with the 2.4. All the timing marks are aligned correctly(Dont have the dowel pins for the camshaft sprockets but a bolt slides in and out no perfectly). I put everything back together and it started up no problem. Probably turned over for 2 seconds before it started. I let it run for a min or two and shut it off to add coolant. It will not start now. I did a compression test and its only showing around 90psi across the board. Has fuel for sure. Dont know about spark since its the stupid DIS Ignition and need a special tool and jumper cables to test for spark. Anyone have any ideas? Could the new hydraulic tensioner be bad and cause this? Or do you guys think it is needing a motor?

Im stumped cuz it started up the first time and ran perfect. No smoke or noises or anything. Should I do a leak down test or try to find someone with a scope so I can look inside the cylinders.

Just for reference the old chain was not broken but had a TON of slack in it.

Thanks in advance
Jeremy

If you have a fuel pressure gauge I would definitely throw it on to rule that out.

Do these cars have a cam or crank sensor that will stop the car from starting if it goes bad?

I know on an escort I fixed in the past it was a bad crank sensor that wouldn't allow the car to start. Then on my Camaro, the crank sensor is only used to send a code for a misfire.

You could try putting a timing light on the wires if you have one. Hold the trigger down while it's connect and turn it over. If you get light then you probably have spark.

 

[mustangmike6996]

could be a crank position sensor, if its bad the injectors will not pulse. you can pull off the injector plug and hook up a noid light, see if it lights up (which means the injectors are pulsing) also look at the tach in the car, see if its cranking at least a few hundred RPM.

like mentioned above, check fuel pressure. make sure that your pressure is good. also check spark(you can buy a spark plug tester that goes between the plug and wire. itll have a light in it, depending on the intensity of the bulb you can tell the health of the DIS). cover the basic things air/fuel/spark then move on to other things. check all of your fuses too. these are all pretty quick checks.