Engine cranks but will not start

Tiny
BIGRON77
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 CHRYSLER CIRRUS
  • 2.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 69,366 MILES
Car seems like the pressure for starting it is low. I was getting low fuel pressure, but it seems to be getting fuel after replacing the fuel filter. Car cranks but won't start/fire up. No codes come up. It is getting spark. What should I check now? Also, I just bought the car, and I was driving it home after buying it. Let it run for 20 minutes. No issues, no check engine light on. Was driving home and was unaware that my oil filter was loose. Oil shot out and the car seemed to go in to limp mode as soon as I saw the smoke shoot out the back. Towed the car home. Oil was everywhere underneath. I replaced the oil filter, battery, and starter because both were bad. Car would crank but wouldn't start. I also replaced the oil pressure sensor because it looked like oil got all over the sensor and in the connector. After doing so oil light came on and I now had a bad PCM code. Ordered a new programed PCM from a factory out of New York (Flag Ship 1). They said the computer was plug and play. Scanned the car again because car still would not start but cranked. Bad PCM code went away. But I then had a p1282 code. Changed my fuel filter. No more p1282 code. I can hear my fuel pump make noise/engage when I turn my key. What could cause to not start? Oil light is on, but there is oil when looking at my dipstick. Can a crankshaft sensor become damaged if oil gets on it and in the connector? Crankshaft sensor had oil all over it. Cleaned it with electronic parts cleaner. Thanks for any and all help.
Wednesday, October 13th, 2021 AT 2:26 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,192 POSTS
Hi,

It was hard to hear, but it sounds like either the timing belt jumped or has broken. It sounds like it has no compression when cranking. Can you have a helper crank the engine while you record near the engine?

If you look below, pic 1 shows the timing mark locations for both cams and the crankshaft. The remaining pics are for inspecting the timing belt.

Note: The 2.5L V6 is an interference engine. If I am correct about timing being the issue, there is a good chance that internal engine damage occurred. We will cross that bridge when and if we get to it.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions. Also, if you could get a better recording, it will help.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Wednesday, October 13th, 2021 AT 6:47 PM
Tiny
BIGRON77
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Timing marks seem to be correct/they line up with each other. I don't have anyone hear that can crank the motor while I record. I will upload a video when I can get help. How does timing jump? When my car lost power on the freeway when oil shot out, and I had no response from my gas pedal. Could it have jumped timing then?
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Thursday, October 14th, 2021 AT 4:40 AM
Tiny
BIGRON77
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
And I removed the intake and valve covers, and rockers seem fine, and oil is getting in. I had a fuel issue, what would my car do if I had a bad fuel pressure regulator? And will a bad fuel pump still make noise when I cut the key on? Thanks again for your insight.
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Thursday, October 14th, 2021 AT 4:44 AM
Tiny
BIGRON77
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I removed my distributor cap to see if oil had gotten inside, it from the mishap on the freeway and I did see oil inside. The oil has been sitting in there for a couple of months. I hope I just found my problem. I sprayed it with electronic parts cleaner. About to hook everything back up and see if it fires up. Is there a way to test the distributor? I'm getting weak spark as of now. Don't want to buy a new distributor if it doesn't start and end up in the same boat.
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Thursday, October 14th, 2021 AT 2:29 PM
Tiny
BIGRON77
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Could not get any better pics. Sorry
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Thursday, October 14th, 2021 AT 2:31 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,192 POSTS
Hi,

At this point, I listened very closely to your original recording. Not being there makes it easy to make a mistake. But I'm hearing an engine with no compression. I really feel that either the timing belt has broken, or it jumped time.

What I recommend is to do a compression test. It's possible that oil got on the belt and caused an issue. I would like to have a better recording to confirm, but I understand why at this time you can't get one.

Do me a favor. Perform a compression test on the engine. You will need a compression gauge, but most parts stores will lend you one free of charge. Also, here is a link that shows how to perform the test:

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

I attached info from the manual specific to this vehicle for testing. It includes the minimum pressure specs. It does say to run the engine until warm, but we can't do that in this case.

Let me know what you find. Also, I'm not trying to pull you away from what you are checking. What you mentioned makes good sense. However, to a trained ear, the timing sounds like the problem. (I could be wrong. I've been wrong before and will be again at some point) LOL But this is what I believe is the problem. The compression test will confirm it for me.
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Thursday, October 14th, 2021 AT 6:14 PM

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