Got spark, got fuel, no start

BROOKSFAM2013

MEMBER
1995 GMC SAFARI
4.3L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

Van has brand new fuel pump, filter, lines all the way from tank to engine. Good fuel pressure at the engine as well as spark. It will crank but wont even attempt to start. Also has new plugs and wires. I tried again yesterday to see if it would try to start with starting fluid and as much as we used it should of backfired like crazy or caught fire. But didn't do anything. Which has me thinking it is a timing issue that even though I am getting spark it's just not the right place at the right time.

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 5:56 AM

1 Reply

KENW1

MECHANIC
213 POSTS

Thanks for visiting 2CarPros.

You can check if it's a mechanical timing issue by bringing the number one cylinder to top dead center and checking the rotor position in the distributor cap.

To find top dead center remove the number one cylinder spark plug and rotate the engine clock wise until you feel air coming out the spark plug hole. It should be close to the alignment mark on the balancer and timing tab. If you don't feel any air remove the valve cover and rotate the crank until both valves are closed and see if the timing marks line up.

It's rare for these motors to have timing chain issues. Below are the timing marks and firing order with cylinder identification.

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