Won't Start after replacement head gasket

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TC
Posts: 32
Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:05 pm
Location: West Malling, Kent

Won't Start after replacement head gasket

Post by TC »

Hi- need your ideas please !
I have just finished a head gasket replacement. Left the engine in and just removed the head.
Trying to start for the first time. Ran well before the head gasket went. Its turning over fine and fuel is getting in but its just not firing.
Checked all the plugs and leads and all in the correct order, also cheked the wiring for anything not plugged back in. Earths all ok.

Just looking for some guidance on what I can try next ](*,)
kaiowas
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Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 3:06 pm
Location: Norfolk
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Re: Won't Start after replacement head gasket

Post by kaiowas »

If you're certain the electrical side of things is all plugged in then I'd double check timing (cams and dizzy) as a starting point. Also worth seeing if there are any fault codes stored just in case there's something that either not plugged in or has a dodgy connection.
Steve Horrocks
Posts: 7172
Joined: Thu Dec 16, 2004 6:39 pm
Location: Oldham

Re: Won't Start after replacement head gasket

Post by Steve Horrocks »

I'm going on timing being out! Very easy to be a tooth or so out. Engine turning over and just "trying" to catch? I'd say dizzy out ( presume you've tried moving the dizzy around to try and start it?
Last edited by Steve Horrocks on Sun May 17, 2009 10:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
476bhp & 415ft lb @ 1.9bar Magic by Ryan!
Gone, but never forgotten
Now with a mk1.5 & a NHB EP3
LoSt GhoSt
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2008 4:01 am
Location: USA

Re: Won't Start after replacement head gasket

Post by LoSt GhoSt »

You could also try some WD-40 or PB Blaster and letting it soak for about and hour. If that doesn't work. Then off with his head...
LimeyMk1
IMOC Committee
Posts: 11200
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Location: Gosport

Re: Won't Start after replacement head gasket

Post by LimeyMk1 »

1. Give the battery a FULL charge
2. Check spark at the plugs
3. Make sure all the earths are ok
4. Check the cam and crank marks line up
5. Reset the distributor, they're a bu88er to get right first time.
un1eash
Posts: 4453
Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 8:25 pm
Location: Leicester

Re: Won't Start after replacement head gasket

Post by un1eash »

First would be to check for spark if you havnt already done so.
aw11rally
Posts: 763
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:46 am

dizzy

Post by aw11rally »

set the engine back to tdc and check where the dizzy arm is. should be at about 10 o'clock, easy enough to concentrate on the cam timing and get the dizzy off, i did it at the weekend installing my hks cams.....dur.
NDR008
Posts: 237
Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2008 6:07 am
Location: Aichi-ken, Japan

Re: Won't Start after replacement head gasket

Post by NDR008 »

Happaned to me on my 4E-FTE - turned over for ever but would not start, I then swapped the plugs and leads for a set I had bought to put in anyway, and it started first time.. ^o)
aw11rally
Posts: 763
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:46 am

Re: Won't Start after replacement head gasket

Post by aw11rally »

started it yet?
TC
Posts: 32
Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:05 pm
Location: West Malling, Kent

Re: Won't Start after replacement head gasket

Post by TC »

I could not get it started. #-o Called in expert help from Crazylegs Kev who is going to take a look this weekend :D Will update the posting when I know what the problem is. Cheers for asking though :thumleft:

After all the work I have done on it, I am a little miffed I have fallen at the last hurdle and was not able to get started on my own!
Last engine change she started first turn of the key, this time shes got the hump and not palying ](*,)
TC
Posts: 32
Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:05 pm
Location: West Malling, Kent

Re: Won't Start after replacement head gasket

Post by TC »

Timing was out in the end. Thanks to crazylegskev at AW11 Autos for sorting for me. Car also got its MOT no problem so after 18months restoring she is back on the road \:D/

Very happy to be back behind the wheel. Couple of pics .... \:D/

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