1988 Nissan Sentra Timing and Distributor

MRFOX916

MEMBER
1988 NISSAN SENTRA
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
175,000 MILES

The timing belt lost about ten of it's teeth. I replaced the timing belt, everything is TDC. The rotor lined up on the #1 firing order. When I started it, the car ran like crap. I noticed that the rotor was now sitting at the #4. After starting it a few more times it was still sitting on #4. I pulled out the distributor and the only place it would go back into is the #4 spot. Why would the rotor not return to #1? Is the distributor broken? Is there valve issues? Should I replace the valves due to the belt shredding, Please help I'm lost.

2 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

I know you checked compression and it is good.

I would think that either there is a mechanical issue in the motor, a distributor problem or something causing the timing belt alignment to go out.

I have sumbitted this to another mod to help out and maybe give a better angle.

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Friday, April 18th, 2008 AT 7:49 PM

2CARPRO JACK

MECHANIC
11,533 POSTS

Could have bent valves that are keeping the cam from turning. When you turn the engine by hand with the plugs out, does it spin freely? Shouldnt have hardly any resistance. When you re-time the engine, it runs but poorly? Also check the key way on the crankshaft to be sure it isnt stripped out. Sounds like something is amiss in the cam area, for it to strip off that few teeth, it likely was on the crank when something else stopped it, but the crank kept going

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Sunday, April 20th, 2008 AT 7:29 AM