Question-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
98 plymouth breeze 2.4L engine will not start unless accelerator is pressed. idles good when giving it gas, but barely idles or stalls without pressing pedal. just put on timing belt everything looks lined up. could timing belt affect starting?
Answer -
You are correct: the timing marks need to be facing oneanother exactly (9 and 3 o'clock positions) at the camshafts when the timing mark on the crank sprocket is at TDC mark on the oil pump cover. So if that checks out, that is not the problem. Otherwise, let me know and I'll go thru the positioning procedure to put on the belt.
Hi Matt,
Checking the timing marks on the cam shafts when the engine is at TDC of Cyl. #1 compression would be worth doing, just in case it shifted when you put on the belt. It is always suggested that you hand crank the engine a couple of revolutions immediately after putting on the timing belt to verify against that possibility. There is a very detailed procedure for putting on the timing belt and tensioner given in the shop manual. If you don't have that, let me know and I'll type it in and send it to you.
The other thing I think you might check is that the EGR valve is not hung up ajar. So lever the stem up and down with the tip of a straight edge screwdriver inserted in its slot and maybe spray it with WD-40 where it enters the valve. It that were ajar the sort of thing you are experiencing would happen. Also clean the butterfly and throat of the throttle body.
Let me know if none of these help and we'll give it another try.
Roland
I still don't totally understand how to align the cam sprockets. I understand the three and nine but is that on the slant of the engine or looking straight at it? If I turn the cams a little either way i get much resistance. Am I supposed to be in the middle where there is no resistance?
AnswerHi Matt,
The drawing in the manual shows the engine with the cylinder head horizontal, or another way to describe it is with the line between the axis of rotations of the cams being horizontal. So if the engine is tilted take that tilt into account and 'straighten' it mentally. With that understanding the point of alignment would also be the point of closest opposition of the two timing marks. As for the resistance, I am not sure about that but it makes sense that at TDC at least 1/4 the valves will be closed and thus on the lowest surface of the cams where resistance is minimal.
Roland
