Hello. Had a few issues with my engine not starting due to no spark. A friend removed the distributor and totally cleaned it, re-set points, replaced the condensor and replaced the spark plugs - with what he says are the same but from a different company (Bosch).
There is now a spark, but when turning over the engine sometimes I get a 'clanging' noise - could be a backfire. If the distibutor cap is removed the engine turns over as normal (I've been told this means that the pistons etc are OK?). However I am concerned!!!
Currently I don't want to get the engine running without really knowing that this noise is - for fear of damaging it. Should I be worried? I've also noticed that since the distributor has been placed back onto the car it moves when the engine is turned over.
2007-06-15 00:58:56 · 9 answers · asked by straightxdresser 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Very difficult to diagnose over the internet, but...
Your car is pretty old, if it still has points in the distributor. My first thought is that the distributor is not in "time" with the engine. If it was re-installed in the wrong position, the spark could be firing at the wrong time, causing severe detination. Also, if you mean that the ENTIRE distributor moves when the engine is cranked, then the lock down bolt is loose or missing.
The rotor contact should be pointing generally toward the #1 spark plug wire when the #1 piston is near or at top-dead-center of the compression stroke. There is a timing mark on the front pully or dampener that will help you locate TDC. Once removed, the distributor can literally be put back in ANY position, out of 360 degrees, only one is correct. Any decent mechanic could tell you quickly if this is the problem.
Good luck.
2007-06-15 01:11:19 · answer #1 · answered by older-n-dirt 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
G'Day straightxdresser,
older-n-dirt, is right I feel his diagnosis is the way I would be thinking, I have come across the same thing myself, someone "worked" on a mates car and then he removed the motor so he could put another bigger one in and sell the original. But in the process it was not started and another of my mates bought it and could not get it to run. The distributor had been put back 180 degrees out, I removed it spun it around and it started first try.
2007-06-15 01:20:56 · answer #2 · answered by savage0530 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, the distributor shouldn't move. It should be properly set and secured in place. Your timing is varying wildly and the noise probably is a backfire.
2007-06-15 05:30:22 · answer #3 · answered by champer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The distributor has not been put back in the same place ,so your timing is now out ,your timing needs resetting .
2007-06-18 04:21:24 · answer #4 · answered by Mick 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One thing to check is the timing chain for excessive wear. Eventually a timing chain has to be replaced with a lot of miles on the car, especially if it didn't receive regular oil changes.
2007-06-15 01:33:31 · answer #5 · answered by bobweb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sound like the distributor is loose and probably not in time. The sound is probably backfire.
2007-06-15 01:33:57 · answer #6 · answered by Ron B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Points! Must be a real dinosaur. I need a little more info. Please year make model and milage stick auto matic and all. The Car mystic in me says it is german? Hold out your hand let me read your palm.
2007-06-15 01:04:17 · answer #7 · answered by John Paul 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check the timing. Also check the vacuum and mechanical advance to make sure they are working.
2007-06-15 01:03:16 · answer #8 · answered by Bill D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
change engine
2007-06-15 01:01:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋