1990 pontiac sunbird

[Eric2323]

hi
my dads got a 1990 ponitiac sunbird 2.0 sohc 4cyl non-turbo. Im in a loooong process of changing out the head gasket and having problems taking off the cam gear. the timing belt is already off. do i have to block the cam gear somehow so that it doesnt turn? Is this an Interference engine?? And i have another problem with the car. Before i started taking this car apart, it had a problem. If you start it and let it idle for 15 minutes ( give or take a minute or so ) it would just totally die! But, if you go bak out after its had time to cool off, it would fire up and run for another 15 minutes or so before it would die again. I was told that maybe the Crankshaft sensor may be faulty. Ive changed the injector,plugs,wires, distributor cap and rotor, changed oil, filter, put new coolant in, valve cover gasket. Im begining to think that it might be a faulty fuel pump or Crank sensor??!! Any other help with the headgasket change would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you very much in advance. =)

ERIC

[Eric2323]

any help would be greatful


eric

[GTP Dad]

To remove the timing gear you need to put an open end wrench on the cam to hold the cam from turning. Take another wrench and place on the cam gear nut. Hold the cam while you loosen the gear. It should easily come off once the bold is removed. As far as your other problem there are a couple of causes. The CPS is a good place to start but you could have a problem with the ignition module. When they overheat they will stop working and cause the car to stall.

[Eric2323]

thank you! i will give that a try with the wrenches, but i do have another question: with that first wrench, do you put it through the gear to stop it from turning? And on that CPS, im guessing thats a sensor, but what one?

thank you very much for the reply. ive been waiting ever so patiently and was hoping YOU would reply. thanx again

eric

[GTP Dad]

Place the open end wrench on the back of one of the cam lobes particularly on the opposite end of the cam. Gently rotate the nut on the gear end until the cam is solidly held and then loosen the gear.
The CPS is the crank position sensor. It tells the ignition when the crank is in the proper position to fire. It is really a magnetic trigger that simply senses when the piston is at top dead center during the compression stroke and then the computer receives a signal and tells the coil to fire. To replace it on the 2.0 liter engine is complicated and you should take it to a shop. If you want to do the replacement yourself, I suggest you get a Chiltons manual as it describes the process in detail. However, if you have a distributer then you don't have a crank position sensor and the only problem you may have is with the distributer itself and the ignition module that is located in the distributer.

[Eric2323]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

Place the open end wrench on the back of one of the cam lobes particularly on the opposite end of the cam. Gently rotate the nut on the gear end until the cam is solidly held and then loosen the gear.
The CPS is the crank position sensor. It tells the ignition when the crank is in the proper position to fire. It is really a magnetic trigger that simply senses when the piston is at top dead center during the compression stroke and then the computer receives a signal and tells the coil to fire. To replace it on the 2.0 liter engine is complicated and you should take it to a shop. If you want to do the replacement yourself, I suggest you get a Chiltons manual as it describes the process in detail. However, if you have a distributer then you don't have a crank position sensor and the only problem you may have is with the distributer itself and the ignition module that is located in the distributer.

well, i got the cam gear off,but I just stuck a wrench thru the gear and got it off that way. So that problem is solved. On the other problem, this has a distributor so i guess there is NO CPS. The distributor is brand new, so i dont think it would be that. Maybe the fuel pump overheating?? The engine is in 1000 pieces right now. The head is off and ive cleaned everything up and bought new bolts and a gasket. Im about ready to put everything bak together.Ill post back once everything is in order or if ive run into another problem.
thanx man.
Eric

[GTP Dad]

Anytime! Just let me know the outcome when you get it back together. Good Luck!