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1994 Caravan problem

Tiny
LADYLATIN1968
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 ALL OTHER MAKES ALL OTHER MODELS
I have a 1994 caravan, we replaced the cylinder head with a rebuilt and also replaced timing belt. This was done with the Chilton vehicle guide. When we try to start van now it won't. You hear it trying but it won't catch.
Saturday, April 14th, 2007 AT 8:32 AM

12 Replies

Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
What engine do you have? Go back over it and be sure everything is plugged in and timing marks are correct. That one have a distributor? If so it may be a littel retarded
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Saturday, April 14th, 2007 AT 8:58 AM
Tiny
LADYLATIN1968
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2.5 L engine, all wiring is correct. It does have a distributor. The timing marks are correct. Everything has been triple checked and the engine is trying to catch but won't. ANY help would be awesome.
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Saturday, April 14th, 2007 AT 9:37 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Prime the engine it should fire and die-if it does this check the fuel system-if not go back and recheck the valve and ignition timing

Was it running before you change the head or not

We need these things to have combustion-speed/air/fuel/spark-there's a missing link/s here

Curiosity- Put engine back up on TDC compression stroke on the No.1 cyclinder, open the distributor cap-Is the rotor pointing to the No.1 cap tower?
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Saturday, April 14th, 2007 AT 4:27 PM
Tiny
LADYLATIN1968
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  • 7 POSTS
The van was running before the head was replaced.

We checked and the rotor is pointing to the No.1 cap tower.

When we put the new timing belt on, we lined up top timing hole correctly but the bottm part only had a small mark and we lined that up.

I am worried that the head may have been damaged, but if the engine never started then the cylinders would still be okay. Is this right?

You also stated we should check fuel system? What exactly do we need to check?
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Sunday, April 15th, 2007 AT 2:07 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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You need a fuel pressure gauge to check the actual fuel pressure. Also double check the crankshaft position sensor's connector/ clearance /and power going to it while cranking.

When key is in On position-do you hear the fuel pump humming for a couple of sec's.

Also check the coolant temperature sensor
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Sunday, April 15th, 2007 AT 5:37 PM
Tiny
LADYLATIN1968
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We checked again and we see that the rotor is inbetween cap no. 1 and cap no. 2.

How would we adjust to correct the problem? Please specify the correct way.

Also, when we try to start the car is sounds like a farting noise?

Thank you for all your awesome advice.
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Monday, April 16th, 2007 AT 6:27 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Try to put engine back up on its TDC compression stroke line the scale and pointer to O/TDC

Remove the distributor cap, is the rotor pointing or directly under the no.1 tower? If not loosen the holddown bolt turn the distributor housing till the no.1 cap tower is right directly on top of the rotor. Tighten the holddown bolt

Note: if it still refuses to start and theres spark and fuel-you need to recheck the valve and ignition timing.
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Monday, April 16th, 2007 AT 10:13 PM
Tiny
LADYLATIN1968
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After removing the cap and the rotor, it seems like the bottom part of the distributor housing goes down towards the base of the engine. How do I make the adjustment? I do not see what I would think is the holdown bolt that you speak of. Any more ideas? If you are able to call me maybe I can explain better. 1-732-440-4012 if your not allowed to call that's okay too.
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Wednesday, April 18th, 2007 AT 7:55 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Theres a bolt that holds the housing down-loosen it and turn it till the no.1 tower is the directly on top of the rotor.
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Thursday, April 19th, 2007 AT 12:22 AM
Tiny
LADYLATIN1968
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I located the bolt and was able to re adjust the housing and turned it till the no.1 tower is now directly on top of the rotor. I tried to start the van and it sounded better but will not start. No farting noises now. Any other ideas as to what I can try next? Thank you for all your help. You help is awesome.
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Thursday, April 19th, 2007 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Do this put a little gas or carb cleaner thru the throttle body make sure its going thru the throttle plate we need that gas or whatever your using. Now attempt to force start it. If it starts and then dies further checking is needed on the fuel system. Don't work do no.1

BTW do you have spark at the plug wire, when grounded to the engine?

When key is in On position do you hear the fuel pump for a couple secs and then dies out.

1. When the rotor is directly under the no.1 tower-look at the timing scale or pointer is it on TDC/0 line up? You need to answer this.
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Thursday, April 19th, 2007 AT 10:11 PM
Tiny
LADYLATIN1968
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Thank you for all of your help. I think you and this site are AWESOME. One small question. The van runs now but sometimes it stalls. When I'm slowing to a stoplight sometimes the van stalls out. I replaced the oil and let van run for 1 hour. We changed the oil again and now we're stumped. Any others suggestions?
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Wednesday, April 25th, 2007 AT 3:52 PM

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