Serpentine conversion done, now start the dramas !

EA2BA · 27-09-2005, 01:08 PM

Well I converted to serpentine, after some effort I got it all swapped over and installed, bolted everything back up, filled up with coolant, double checked everything all good, all pluged in, time for the maiden start of the car ....................

It then started, was idling a little rough but expected as I had to re-position the dizzy, I thought ok now what next, and then it died, stalled, cut off, ran for a whole glorious 30 seconds, I thought fair enough then, tried a re-start and no good, and it started since.

I have checked about everything, so what the hell just died to cause it not to start, apart from the dizzy and re-position on the igntion coil, nothing has changed, spark seems weak though, do igntion coils up and die like that.

: , or it goes as parts according to the wife.

XRated · 27-09-2005, 01:22 PM

Oh man, nothing worse than the Missus in your ear making you out to be an idiot, "why did you have to change anything? It was running fine in the first place!"

Wish I could help Jason.. Good luck.

Racecraft · 27-09-2005, 01:25 PM

yes coils can instantly lose effectiveness, but just check the pins are seated in the plug properly, if you have moved it one of the pins might be sitting too far back in the plug for good contact

TURBO_GHIA · 27-09-2005, 01:45 PM

yep my coil up'd and died and left me in the middle of a road in a bus bay and the end of school hrs with all the buses and kids lol was quite funny

EA2BA · 27-09-2005, 02:29 PM

ok, new plugs, new coil, still no go, it almost went for a brief moment but didnt.

I just sat the spark plug on top of the rocker and earthed it out, spark seems to get weaker with turn of the motor, so what gives.

EFFalcon · 27-09-2005, 02:45 PM

altenator issues??

TURBO_GHIA · 27-09-2005, 03:42 PM

damn it i was gonna say that ,what about leads how old are they ,id double check everything.it's probably something simple.check ya dizzy again make sure its right

EA2BA · 27-09-2005, 03:45 PM

it started once dont forget, and i doubt all the leads died at the same time, alt is good (well supposed to be good) worst case battery light stays on, but it should still start, checked the dizzy, checked the timing, it as close as you can get without starting it and using a timing light, checked the leads order they are correct.

Hand me a match, it will be quicker

:

jeffb · 27-09-2005, 04:35 PM

Does it have fuel? (and I dont mean in the tank) - at the injectors?

EA2BA · 27-09-2005, 04:39 PM

Yup there is fuel there, after some cranking the plugs get wet.

TheSneakiness · 27-09-2005, 04:41 PM

New battery???

EA2BA · 27-09-2005, 04:43 PM

Battery is on charge, and shows a good 12.5-13volts before cranking and holds easy above 11.5 when cranking

jeffb · 27-09-2005, 04:46 PM

I suggest you play with the timing, did you have the dizzy out or just move it around a bit? could be the TFI module too (or the plug on it)

saudia_man · 27-09-2005, 04:48 PM

wat is serpentine?

EA2BA · 27-09-2005, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saudia_man

wat is serpentine?

Instead of 3 seperate belts for a/c, p/s and alternator, I now have 1 belt same as the EF/EL/AU.

EA2BA · 27-09-2005, 04:49 PM

to start with pulled it up, re-positioned it, dropped it in, plugged everything up, car started, car idled, 30 seconds later stalled, and it aint started again.

I have pulled the dizzy completely out, redone the timing again from scratch, got it set, and it still refuses start, cranks nicely, just wont fire into life.

ilsautomotive · 27-09-2005, 04:49 PM

No good Jase, must be something ignition-related. :S

EA2BA · 27-09-2005, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trouty

No good Jase, must be something ignition-related. :S

Got another dizzy coming with a TFI that is known to be good, so fingers crossed, otherwise look out for a parts thread any time soon.

jeffb · 27-09-2005, 04:53 PM

well...... there are only two things it can be...... fuel or spark, you say it has both, 1 must be missing,

not doubting your ability, but did you reset the timing properley? made sure no1 was on top? cuz the harmonic balancer mark may be wrong (slipped) and when you set it up it may be wayyyyy out,

EA2BA · 27-09-2005, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffb

well...... there are only two things it can be...... fuel or spark, you say it has both, 1 must be missing,

not doubting your ability, but did you reset the timing properley? made sure no1 was on top? cuz the harmonic balancer mark may be wrong (slipped) and when you set it up it may be wayyyyy out,

The key way is perfect so it cant slip, i know its a simple process, pistons go up and down, valves open and close, fuel goes in, spark plugs fire, and is all good.

jeffb · 27-09-2005, 04:58 PM

I thought the harmonic balancers were 2 piece tho.....??? like the V8's are with a piece of rubber in the middle????

27-09-2005, 04:51 PM

Is grounding OK? I check if wire has burnt out somewhere.

EA2BA · 27-09-2005, 04:53 PM

I cant find any bad wires, or blown fuses or anything, well so far.

Perana · 27-09-2005, 05:03 PM

It isnt unknown for the outer part of the balencer to slip out of position compared to where it shoudl be.

Timing marks on AU (not sure about EF/EL but im pretty sure they are same as AU) balencer/timing cover are in a different position to EA-ED too, so if using an AU balencer on EA-ED cover you cant rely on the original timing marks

EA2BA · 27-09-2005, 05:10 PM

I lined up and cut a new timing mark in the balancer to solve that issue, and using that timing mark it started (for 30 seconds) I have since then rotated the engine back to TDC using that mark and the cam sprocket mark lines up perfect so the balancer is still where it should be, and the mark would therefore still be true.

27-09-2005, 05:19 PM

Perhaps the ECU?

EFFalcon · 27-09-2005, 05:36 PM

u sure its got compression?
did u change the timing case to an EF one?

Brent-EA Ghia · 27-09-2005, 08:02 PM

Make sure your not 180 out, you need cyl. 1 to be on compression stroke and the timing mark lined up, then when you have it on t.d.c. the rotor should line up with (or very close to) the finish mark.

spope · 27-09-2005, 09:59 PM

I just got back from Dellboy's place, this car has me stumped. The timing is close enough to spot on for it not to be an issue. Car is definately getting fuel, no problems there, and the spark is good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

u sure its got compression

What could happen to an engine that would make it lose compression so quickly in all cylinders? Even a blown head gasket or a dodgy valve would only make it lose compression in one or two cylinders.
It is a really strange problem, and I am sure any hints would be appreciated!

EFFalcon · 27-09-2005, 10:12 PM

i just recall when we did some stuff to thanatos's car he had some major problems getting it running afterwards, it ended up being a lack of compression a few valves not sealing properly.
i wish i could remember the exact problem but i know it ended up in needing the timing chain guides etc replaced.

hence why i asked if he removed the timing case, coz i know some people change from the EA timing case to the EF one.