och
Member
- Messages
- 161
- Location
- Brooklyn, NY
I finished replacing the timing belt today, and tried starting the car, but it wont start - it cranks, and after a few cranks it backfires smoke through the intake (makes horrible sound during the backfire too). I checked for spark, and both banks have spark. I cranked the car until crank pulley aligned with the "0" mark, removed timing belt/distributor covers to check cam gears, and they are aligned with corresponding marks.
I have no idea what else to check. Spark is there, timing seems to be correct, backfire indicates presence of fuel and air, right? What else can it be?
The only thing that I can think if, is maybe I messed up the cams? When I was trying to remove the crank bolt, I turned the crank counter clockwise a few times while I still had the old timing belt on, and so the cam gear turned clockwise as well, and the manual says not to do that (I didn't realize it when I turned them counter clockwise). Could I have messed up the position of the valves/cams by doing that? Is that likely to cause permanent damage?
I have no idea what else to check. Spark is there, timing seems to be correct, backfire indicates presence of fuel and air, right? What else can it be?
The only thing that I can think if, is maybe I messed up the cams? When I was trying to remove the crank bolt, I turned the crank counter clockwise a few times while I still had the old timing belt on, and so the cam gear turned clockwise as well, and the manual says not to do that (I didn't realize it when I turned them counter clockwise). Could I have messed up the position of the valves/cams by doing that? Is that likely to cause permanent damage?