1990 2.5L Grand Am major problem

[inafogg]

make sure but if its dead on start putting back together.your call on replacing they're a year old right & if their metal chain is good n tight so your call on replacing chain/gears but definitely new seal & gasket.!!!then start with the basics checking for good spark,fuel.Good Luck

[Will Help]

If the chain is broke, the rockers will not move. You can check for play in the chain, in most applications, by removing the distributor cap and watching the shaft movement in older cars or by watching the rockers in newer cars. You do this by setting the crank pully at top dead center. Then you watche the dist. shaft or a rocker arm while turning the crank pulley in the opposite direction you originally turned it to get to TDC. As you turn the crank pulley, watch for the first sign of movement in the shaft/rocker and stop turning immediately. Then check the crank timing marks, or measure the distance for comparrison if turning away from TDC. This reading in degrees should not exceed 6 degrees. If it does then the timing components need repair/replaced. If neither the shaft/rockers move then either a chain or gear is broken/stripped of teeth (common with nylon gears).

You can also do a compression test to see if a chain is broken as some of the valves will stay open and give zero readings.

[AZCS-B]

The chain was intact but was very sloppy. There is a dampener inside that is made of nylon with a metal spring and it was destroyed. I should have a new dampener today. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't putting the new chain on with the gears improperly aligned because the Chilton's book has the alignment marks in a different spot than what I saw when I took them off.

[AZCS-B]

Finished with the chain and it still won't start. I pulled a wire from 2 plugs, 1 from each coil, and I'm getting spark. I can smell fuel when it turns over. Any ideas on what I should check next?

[cboy2us]

It sounds more like a split sidewall to me, Have you checked for water in your oil, and viceversa?

[AZCS-B]

The oil didn't have any water in it. I'll drain the water and check it.

[cboy2us]

Thats a good sign. Have you done a compression check on all of your cylinders? Does your oil smell like it has some gas in it?

[AZCS-B]

I didn't notice any gas smell when I drained the oil, just when I was trying to start the engine after I put everything back together. I got a compression gauge from work today and will check it soon.

I'm in the neighborhood of where Hurricane Ike is headed though so I've got some other things to wrap up for the next couple of days. Maybe my carport will fall on it and I can claim it on my homeowner's insurance!

[cboy2us]

well, so far, it sounds good. If you were to blow a hole in a piston, or split a cylinder wall, the engine would probably still run, but like $#!t, and probably not for long.