Engine cranks but does not start?

TRENTEN123

MEMBER
1993 LEXUS ES 300
2WD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

I’ve replaced the water pump, timing belt, tensioner, and motor mount, and got everything all put back together and car cranks but doesn’t catch. All the shafts are spinning equally, I made sure when I put the belt on the front and rear cam was both lined up with the notch on and same for the bottom on all was lined up pointing almost straight up.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,262 POSTS

Hi,

Are you sure the engine is getting fuel and there is spark to the spark plugs? Try this. See if it will start if you use starting fluid. If it does, then we know it is a fuel related issue. If there is no change, I need you to check for ignition spark at the plugs.

Here is a link that explains how to check:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-for-ignition-spark

Next, I attached a pic below showing the timing marks and how they should be aligned. Take a look at the pic and let me know if that is what was done.

One last thing. If you could, record it cranking and upload it for me to hear. I should be able to tell if it is a timing related issue.

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.

Image (Click to make bigger)

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Sunday, April 21st, 2024 AT 6:52 PM

TRENTEN123

MEMBER
2 POSTS

So, I redid the timing belt and was able to get it started up, it doesn’t run too well, but it starts. Also, I did the water pump and thermostat and both radiator caps due to overheating/coolant reservoir boiling engine steaming and after all this it’s still doing the same thing when it started up. On top of that it starts and runs but when I took for a test drive when I pressed the gas it just didn’t want to go. Like at all, wouldn’t go faster than 10 MPH. When I re-do the timing belt, they were all lined up properly from what I could see, the line engraved in the shaft was lined up with the marking on the cover.

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Monday, April 22nd, 2024 AT 6:45 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,262 POSTS

Hi,

I attached the directions below for checking and adjusting the ignition timing. Take a look through the directions and let me know if you are comfortable performing the test/adjust. This will tell us if we are too far out of time for it to run properly.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

See pics below.

Images (Click to make bigger)