Timing belt change - Diagnosis please

[alexturner]

Hey Guys,

I went and attempted to do my timing belt again today and found that yesterdays problem was because the IP was 180˚ out - My mate's fault...

So I stripped it down bare again today and fixed everything up but now she's not running. The starter is turning the motor but the motor won't start. Everything sounds hunky dory.

My theory is that both the crank and injector pump are in time (as they were locked) but the valves are a tooth or so out which is preventing the cylinders from reaching compression and consequently no fuel is being ignited.

Otherwise my IP is buggered, and the lift pump is running fine - there is plenty of fuel at the IP.

And yes - the fuel solenoid is connected.

Any ideas? This is two days without a car

[camel_landy]

Well, the easy way of checking is to pop the timing cover off and check than everything is aligned!

If it is, it's going to be time to start troubleshooting.

Was it just the injector pump 180 out? Pop the rocker cover of & check the push-rods. While you're there, you might as well check the clearances.

Is there fuel?
Crack one of the nuts on the fuel line to an injector (be careful coz it'll be high pressure!!!). If you get fuel leaking when cranking, the pump is probably working... If not, it could also be your solenoid.

My money would be on it being something really silly, such as not connecting the solenoid up properly.

M

[wrinklearthur]

Hi alexturner

Some basic things to do, first remove the wire from the rear of the injector pump, as this will prevent the motor from starting, because with out power the fuel shutoff solenoid can not open.

Then turn the motor over until the rear rockers are at the position where one is closing and the other is opening (they are rocking).

In the case of a 300TDi, you can take the number one cylinder glow plug out and with a piece of straight stiff wire, check that the piston is at top dead centre, then insert a locking peg into the flywheels timing slot under the flywheel housing.

At that point ,the timing marks on the cog for the cam shaft and the mark in the timing belt case, should be pointing at each other.

Then check the hole in the cog for the injector pump, it should be aligned with the hole in the case, use a 9.5mm drill bit shank to try this.

[Casper]

The IP will be a beez bit out which if retarded makes them crank hard and if advanced just cranks as you have described.

As said before, a 9.5mm drill bit or a locking pin is needed to make sure it's right.

Cheers Casper.

[alexturner]

Thanks guys, I'll look at all this tomorrow and keep you posted - and cheers camel_landy I didn't think to pop the rocker cover. I did peg the fly wheel with an allen key and had a mate hold it in place - I might try building a tool tomorrow.

I wasn't 100% on the locking of the IP though.... The drill bit didn't feel as if it was solidly in there- should it be solid or will there be a bit of free play?

[camel_landy]

I wasn't 100% on the locking of the IP though.... The drill bit didn't feel as if it was solidly in there- should it be solid or will there be a bit of free play?

It should be a "snug" fit...

Be careful with the flywheel as there are sometimes there are a couple of places you can get a locating pin into!!!

M

[alexturner]

Hey guys,

Belt is back on and the engine is running smoothly - very happy. Just taking it for a drive - it seems a little under powered. I don't know if that's because it is or because I haven't driven it in a while (or perhaps cold). If the timing was slightly out would that result in a slight power loss? No smoke or weird sounds.

Alex

[justinc]

Hey guys,

Belt is back on and the engine is running smoothly - very happy. Just taking it for a drive - it seems a little under powered. I don't know if that's because it is or because I haven't driven it in a while (or perhaps cold). If the timing was slightly out would that result in a slight power loss? No smoke or weird sounds.

Alex

Does the engine sound quieter? If so, then yes timing could be slightly retarded. a matter of only a few degrees makes all the difference with these engines.

JC

[camel_landy]

Hey guys,

Belt is back on and the engine is running smoothly - very happy. Just taking it for a drive - it seems a little under powered. I don't know if that's because it is or because I haven't driven it in a while (or perhaps cold). If the timing was slightly out would that result in a slight power loss? No smoke or weird sounds.

Alex

What did you have to do to get it going again??

M

[alexturner]

Hey guys,

Just took it for a decent spin and it's humming along beautifully - I think it was just me thinking it was under powered, nothing to worry about.

The problem was timing, just be being lazy. When I did the timing yesterday I pushed the drill-bit lock into the IP gear until it just sat in there. I was unaware of it being a snug fit. I pulled the radiator out today and got down in the engine bay - sitting on the tie rods with the engine directly in-front of me. I checked the timing over and over until I was confident that it was perfect. Put everything back together and first kick she started.

All in all I've become a pro at timing belts having done it 3 times in 3 days. Today's attempt including stripping the bonnet out, re-positioning the belt and reassembling everything took just under 3 hours. A hell of a lot better than the 8 hours of labor a certain Land Rover Mechanic in Sydney quoted me.

Thanks guys for the advice.
Alex