Hi All,

My brother has been working on a '92 3.0L Montero (SR I think based on plastic fender flares) and had a garage take over after he took it apart and decided it was over his head. This rig was running and driving when he bought it and started his tear down. Anyway, the mechanic has got it to the point that the engine turns over, but won't start. As mentioned, it turns over, is getting fuel, and there is spark.

I've searched through the forums and had the mechanic try the things mentioned (check TDC and timing marks, distributor alignment). We can't seem to get this engine to start.

My brother and mechanic are both at a loss. Work and parts replaced thus far: New ignition switch, new distributor, fresh build on engine (still had original crank bolt!), wiring harness tested, fuel pump tested, replaced ecu. Mechanic is talking about tearing down again and checking to make sure the timing marks are still in line.

Any ideas? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Jonathan<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I assume this is a sohc 12v engine, with a distributor. If it has spark and fuel, it has to be timing or compression. If it's compression, it will turn over too fast. If it's timing, there should be a few combustion events, and maybe some pops and backfires.

Pull the #1 plug and turn the motor by hand until you feel pressure on your finger on the plug hole, then turn the motor further until the crank timing mark is at tdc. Remove the distributor, and align the cast mark on the housing with the mark on the shaft above the gear. Holding that position, reinstall the distributor with the clamping stud centered in the adjustment slot. Note that the internal dist cap contacts DO NOT align with the external plug wire terminals. The distributor should now be aligned with #1. Now, ground the timing adjustment wire near the brake booster, a single wire with a terminal end, and set the timing with a light. The engine should fire even before the timing is set precisely. The engine does not have to be torn down to check cam timing, just align to tdc as above and pull the cam sprocket front covers to see those marks.

The mechanic should have known this...

Thanks FastEddy! The engine is turning over properly with popping and backfiring. It's trying to start it just won't. I'll stop by there after work and show this post to him. Thanks again.

Jonathan

Well, no luck. Went after work and performed that procedure with the mechanic. Back to square one. Any other ideas? It sputters, and pops sounds like it wants to fire, but it just won't start.

Voltage to plugs is good, and we can smell fuel in the cylinders when we pull the plugs. Apparently timing marks are good. Any other ideas greatly appreciated.

Thanks, J.

How about simple spark plug wire placement? Are the wires leading to the correct cylinder?

Sounds like timing is off somewhere.

99% of the time, it's as Eddy and Curtis have said - incorrect distributor timing.

Again -

1) remove all spark plugs
2) put your fingertip over the #1 plug hole (that's the front hole on the passenger side)
3) rotate the engine until you feel air pressure against your fingertip
4) continue rotation until the TDC mark on the harmonic balancer is aligned with the timing mark on the front cover
5) insert the distributor so that the rotor is pointing almost straight to the rear
6) remove the cover from the dead-end connector located on the firewall just under the wiper motor (that's where it's located on the '89 - not sure about the '92)and ground the pin to the engine block with a jumber
7) start the engine, let it warm to operating temperature and set the ignition lead to 5? BTDC
8) lock down the distributor and remove the jumper
9) the ignition lead should now read 15-17? BTDC as read on the front cover marks

The problem with understanding this at first glance is because the distributor cap re-routes the tower sequence firing order and this has fooled many good mechanics. Turn the distributor over and look inside to see the tunnel that re-routes #1 to the rear of the distributor. You'll realize that #1 tower is not where you think it should be.

Frank

There is your problem. It will not pop or backfire while turning over properly. As said before, the timing or firing order is off. Not a huge problem. You'll get it!

Thanks Everyone. I've printed out all of your responses and will stop by the shop after work. We'll try everything you all suggested. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Jonathan

Well, called the mechanic this morning to describe the process and procedure again. Got a call over lunch that the truck is now finally running. Sounds like he rotated the distributor tooth by tooth until he finally got it running. Thanks to everyone for your knowledge and input! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Jonathan