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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: Sgt_Lemon on 31 May 2013, 18:10

Title: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 31 May 2013, 18:10
I am officially stuck. The cam timing lines up perfect with the crank timing. The distributor is at the correct position but still it won't start. I don't know what else I can do. Help me please. I checked that the sparks are sparking. I checked the crank timing off the case and the fly wheel.
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Mr Blue on 31 May 2013, 18:16
what engine? 8 or 16v?
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 31 May 2013, 18:28
8v
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Mr Blue on 31 May 2013, 18:52
Crank might be 180degree's out. Easily done.

If it's a digifant (digital management) 8v then the valves wont touch the pistons. It's a nice safety feature.

Also check the leads order.

Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 31 May 2013, 18:55
Haha no way. I spoke to someone on the phone and was told is was 180 out earlier. I flipped it round. This was before realising about the distributor being out however
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 31 May 2013, 19:04
Just changed it 180 and it back fired. Smoke out the airbox
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 31 May 2013, 19:44
Changed it back. Redone all timing marks including ignition timing. Tried starting it while twisting the distributor. Is there anything left I could do? It's my daily driver and I need it back on the road ASAP
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Thom89 on 31 May 2013, 19:55
Not wishing to sound patronising, but, I think that you may have confused yourself, these problems are nearly always the Dizzy is 180 out... clear head, and maybe someone to help you re set the lot should sort it :cool: :cool:

Thom
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 31 May 2013, 20:01
I thought he meant the crank was out. Trying to fire on cylinder 4 instead of 1. Anyway how can I change the dizzy 180. I know where the grove is on the distributor casing, has anyone got a photo (paint drawing) on how the dizzie should be set up?
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 31 May 2013, 20:14
(http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y492/Sgt_Lemon/rotorarm_zpsa207bd0a.png) (http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/Sgt_Lemon/media/rotorarm_zpsa207bd0a.png.html)
This is the way round i have the rotor arm lined up. Is this incorrect? is this what should be 180 round the other way?
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 31 May 2013, 20:38
Does not a single person know? im getting really desperate as it needs to be sorted tonight.
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: JC on 31 May 2013, 20:40
could be a list of things, so difficult to diagnose by forum.

you checked the compression post gasket change ?

all 4 sparking ?

Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Diamond Hell on 31 May 2013, 21:06
As per Chuff's post, really.

Almost unbelieveably we're not actually sitting here 24/7 waiting to answer your queries (although I appreciate it may seem like that at times).

Make sure you're timed up correctly on the crank, dizzi drive and cam, then try and start it.  Then, if it won't start like that, release the tension on the cambelt and rotate the dizzi drive by 360degrees (which gives you 180 degrees on the dizzi, by memory) and try again.

It's not K-jet is it?
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 31 May 2013, 21:11
Yeah sorry just stressing out. It's digifant. Will try adjusting the dizzy 180 like you said. Didn't know how to do that
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Diamond Hell on 31 May 2013, 21:16
You've remembered to re-attach the earth strap to the back of the head before you tried to start it?  The fuel pump still powers up and primes when you turn the key?  As in you haven't blown the ECU?
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 31 May 2013, 21:43
When I turn the ignition the fuel pump primes. I do this a few times before trying to start. When I try starting the starter motor goes and I can hear a series of pops out of the manifold every few seconds or so (centre pipe hasn't been reattached yet) but nothing else. Occasionally I get a really load pop on a first attempt at starting. I have checked crank, cam and distributor timing at least 10 times each. Checked the sparks are sparking. Checked all the leads and earths. I doubled checked that the crank isn't 180 out. I have kind of run a blank on what else it could be. I read somewhere about compression needing to be higher to start first time. Things on having too much oil from failed attempts.
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: JC on 31 May 2013, 21:51
I shall ask again, have you actually checked you have good compression in all 4 cylinders since you stripped it apart
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: JC on 31 May 2013, 21:53
and by now,

you will have flooded it well and truly,

soaked the plugs to death,

 pull the plugs, let them dry out for a bit
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 31 May 2013, 22:08
I'm afraid I don't have a piece of kit for testing compression. It's a long shot but is there another way?
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: JC on 31 May 2013, 22:19
long shot, and you MUST ensure you have everything 100%

is a Tow start.

Car at work wouldnt fire up despite good compression post gasket change.  another fitter check evrything was fine

then it was off down the road on the back of the works van.

car started eventually, ran up to temperature and then was fine since.

Not wanting to teach you to suck eggs and be a cnut, but by now you are tired and going round in circles.

Time to beg borrow or steal a car for tomorrow and come back to it fresh at a later date.
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: danny_p on 01 June 2013, 00:15
not this bloody question again.

you have the leads round the wrong way.  it's nearly allways the case with 8 valves.    at this point you claim everything is spot on,  somewhile later after more headbanging you rip all the leads off,  and refit in correct locations, then you go all quiet when it runs.

if its not that youve timed up the wrog mark on cam pully -  same as above still applys
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Simeon on 01 June 2013, 00:22
How can you not know whether your crank is in the right position? Use the tdc notch on the flywheel and line it up with the gearbox arrow. Now remove the rocker cover and check that both the lobes on cylinder 1 are pointing upwards, which tells you that you have timed your cam correctly. Loosen dizzy and rotate so that rotor arm points at notch. Job done, if it won't start then look elsewhere as your static timing is correct.

Leads in the right way round? Fuel pipes connected the right way round? (bet it's this :p ).
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 01 June 2013, 07:44
I get a fuel smell when i try starting. Would I still get this if the fuel intake and return are the wrong way round?
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Simeon on 01 June 2013, 08:32
Probably. Check them. If you lift the cover in the boot you will see which colour line is on the flow and return.
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 01 June 2013, 10:10
It's morning I took the rocker box back off to check the valve timing. That is set properly to tdc. Checked crank was at tdc still it was. Check the distributor timing and that was spot on. Checked the fuel lines were right and that was good. Took the sparks out to check they all spark and that's fine. Is there anything else at all which could be the problem?
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Foreveryoungaus16v on 01 June 2013, 11:48
Stop being such a Lemon! :grin: (jokes)
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 01 June 2013, 17:04
Mr.Blue sorted it for me over the phone. It has fired up now, just need to adjust the timing and refit the exhaust
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: sparkplug on 01 June 2013, 19:58
so what was it in the end then ?
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Mr Blue on 01 June 2013, 21:09
Ignition timing/leads way off and stuck dizzy.
Time it up so it starts first go then tune it as per Rubjonny's guide.

Glad you sorted it. You don't get this service on those other forums  :wink:
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: JC on 01 June 2013, 21:25
 :laugh:
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Sgt_Lemon on 01 June 2013, 22:46
Thanks everyone, Mr.Blue especially, Your all life savers
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Thom89 on 02 June 2013, 11:06
Nice work Mr Blue... whoever he is! :grin:

Thom
Title: Re: SOS car won't start after head gasket change
Post by: Sam on 04 June 2013, 22:33
More to the point... whoever rubjonny is, now theres a blast from the past!