Ok so I cant seem to get may car started

Tiny
883SPORTIRE
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE
  • 103,347 MILES
I blew a head gasket or cracked the head not sure. So I replaced the gasket and got I slightly used head. Only has 20,000 on the head. When setting the timing I set correctly it back fires. Thought I was 180* out rest it. It did the same thing. Reset it again back fired again and wont start still. I've dont that like 20 times. But I dont understand why the car is back firing and why it wont start. What should I check next
Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 AT 8:20 PM

20 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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Seems to me the valve timing is still off-Are you putting piston no.1 on its compression stroke/TDC? If so check fuel pressure-
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 AT 8:24 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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If backfiring, chances are timing is still an issue. Also, check compression to make sure it is within spec. Make sure fuel pressure is within spec. Make sure you are getting a good hot blue snapping spark.
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 AT 8:25 PM
Tiny
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How cant I test the compression without a compression tester. Im broke lol and trying to fix this as cheap as possible. And how do I know the compression stroke. Cuz when I did it the first time it seemed like it was on the exhaust stroke so I spun the crank 1 complete rotation. And put that at TDC did the same thing so I thought maybe I was 90* out so I spun the crank another rotation put no1 on TDC and it still did it. I repeated that like 20 times lol.
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 AT 8:40 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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You need to align the timing marks. As far as the compression, many parts stores will lend tools. You may have to put money down when you get it, but it will be returned when you return the tool.
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 AT 8:58 PM
Tiny
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I have alined the timing marks on the cam. If its not the compression and im setting the timing corectly. And I have spark cuz when I pull the plugs a little smoke comes out of them when I turn over the crank by hand. So what else could it be
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 AT 9:07 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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There is no such thing as 180 when setting a timing belt and backfiring is not a symptom of a belt out of time. It's an ignition issue. I'll bet you have the firing order wrong.
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 AT 9:07 PM
Tiny
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The firing order is 1-3-4-2. The motor is a 96 mx6 motor still a 2.0l I use the head off the 01 protege 2.0l the first time. Car ran ok. But if crusing about 60 it would "miss" but didnt have a firing problem I check. Blew the head gasket and now im replaced the head with a 98 2.0l head. And it wont start
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 AT 10:18 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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If you have fuel, spark, timing is correct, and COMPRESSION, it has no choice but to run. The only thing you didn't check is compression. See if you can get a gauge from a parts store that rents tools. If you have everything else, I need to know that the compression is within spec. However, as wrenchtech mentioned, double check the firing order to make sure. That will cause a backfire. So can a partially open valve.
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 AT 10:21 PM
Tiny
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How do I check the firing order. I have just always put the 2 coil packs back to where the went and the other 2 wires back to where they went. And should I check my valve lashings maybe there to tight?
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 AT 10:29 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Wrenchtech/91183814.gif
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 AT 10:35 PM
Tiny
883SPORTIRE
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Yep thats how I put them in.
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 AT 10:47 PM
Tiny
883SPORTIRE
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Im just lost now. I will check the compression and the valve lashings
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 AT 10:49 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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It has to be an ignition issue to cause a backfire. If the valve timing were out, it wouldn't have sufficient compression to initiate a backfire. It can only be ignition at the wrong time.
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 AT 10:51 PM
Tiny
883SPORTIRE
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Well see like I was always told if it backfires out through the intake and I can smell gas in the exhaust im 180 out. Basicly I was on the exhaust stroke instead of the compression so thats why I was thinking a timing issue. So if plugs and shit is in right what would u check now
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 AT 11:01 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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As I said earlier. There is no such thing as 180 out when referring to timing belts. That refers to installing distributors which you don't even have. You can have camshafts 180 out of each other but the cam cannot be 180 out of the crank. If you see the cam 180 out from the crank, simply rotate the engine one more revolution and everything will appear in time. You could have a problem with the crank sensor or it's related circuit.
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 AT 11:12 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
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THESE GUYS HERE WILL SHOW TECHNIQUES FOR INSTALLING A DISRIBUTOR--THEY EXPLAIN STUFF PRETTY WELL TOO

YOU MUST SORTA INTERJECT YOUR CAR INFO IN PLACE OF THEIRS

PART 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a2X9mSSlQY

PART 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=FHX1yXVyIMg

KEEP US POSTED WITH YOUR PROGRESS

THE MEDIC
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 AT 12:11 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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Please ignore the previous post. Your car doesn't even have a distributor but I'm sure you know that.
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 AT 12:15 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
HOW DID I EVEN GET ON HERE?

I POSTED THIS TO A CHEVY FELLER A WEEK OR MORE AGO!

BETTER CHECK MY MESSAGES TOO--WHEN THESE GLITCHES OCCUR, I GET STUFF FROM MONTHS GONE BY.

SORRY-'BOUT THE CONFUSION---I COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT EITHER!

THE MEDIC
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 AT 12:29 AM
Tiny
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Any way to check the crank sensor?
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 AT 6:50 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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Sure, with a portable lab scope to observe the wave pattern. See if you have consistent spark and injector pulse.
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 AT 7:22 PM

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