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Will not start after head gasket replacement?

Tiny
DG29803
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 198,321 MILES
I recently changed the head gasket out in my vehicle listed above. I did everything that was required. I'm getting fire and getting fuel. During the teardown I went to unplug the exhaust cam sensor and all three wires came out. I'm not sure if that would have anything to do with it not wanting to crank. It turns over but won't crank. And another thing is it seems like the engine is really dragging. Thought it may have been the battery, so I bought a new one and it drained the battery, after trying to start it with starting fluid and trying everything I knew to try and get it to fire off.
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Thursday, August 10th, 2023 AT 8:02 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,269 POSTS
Hi,

If the engine is dragging while trying to start, are you certain the timing is correct? If possible, record it cranking and upload it for me to hear. I may be able to recognize a timing issue.

Also, if you have an ignition spark at the plugs and it won't start with starting fluid, timing is my number one suspect. This isn't the easiest one to time and requires special tooling.

Let me know. Also, if possible, record it cranking so I can hear it. Please note that this is an interference engine. If the timing is off, it can cause internal damage. However, since you have been cranking it already, if there is damage, it is already done.

Take care,

Joe
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Thursday, August 10th, 2023 AT 7:58 PM
Tiny
DG29803
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It definitely was the starter I believe. It stopped working altogether. Also when I finished with the head gasket and timing I turned the motor manually and didn't have any interference. I just bought a scanner tool today and I have 4 permanent codes. 2 had to with camshaft position sensor on the exhaust one was a random misfire and the other had something to do with the intake sensor. But the Intake code coming up was my fault bc I attempted to start the vehicle without the plug in it. Now if it did jump time and bent the valves how would I be able to tell?
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Thursday, August 10th, 2023 AT 9:46 PM
Tiny
DG29803
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
And the random misfire was me checking for spark.
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Thursday, August 10th, 2023 AT 9:47 PM
Tiny
DG29803
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Will the camshaft position sensor prevent it from cranking up altogether?
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Thursday, August 10th, 2023 AT 9:48 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,269 POSTS
If you are getting spark and fuel, it should be doing something. Also, it should still run with a cam sensor issue.

As far as checking, I usually can tell by hearing it crank. So, if you could record it cranking and upload it, I should be able to tell. Also, if you want, you could check engine compression.

Here is a link that explains how it's done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, August 11th, 2023 AT 9:20 PM

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