Ok, so I have an 02 zx2 with 190K miles. I'm looking to get it running to sell.

I followed a great video on replacing the timing belt. I only did it since I had no other reason for it to not start. Turns out, the timing seemed to be ok, but I went ahead and did the swap anyways. It almost wants to start, it spits and sputters a little but no matter what I do, I can't get it to start. I adjusted the timing back and forth to make sure I cover my bases and I have it set back to TDC, aligning the crank with the notch facing 12 oclock. I can lock the cams in position from there so the cam positions are right. replaced the tensioner and that idler pulley next to it. I have tested for spark, it's there... I have replaced the cam shaft position sensor, to no avail. Fuel pump was replaced and that also did not help. I haven't tested fuel pressure, but my injectors are working, I took off the rail and can see fuel spray when turning over. It will not start with ether either. Sometimes when turning it over it backfires through the intake if that is a symptom or normal I do not know.

So, in summary, timing ok, fuel ok, spark ok, I haven't tested compression, could it be that? Even if it had bad compression it should still run right?... although crappy. Could the coil be incorrectly firing the spark plugs? Bad ECU? The three things I have, fuel, spark and timing all seem to be there so it should be starting! Since it won't run with ether either I almost suspect timing again, but I spent all day messing with the timing I don't know what I could do with timing that I haven't already done.

What info, pics, videos can I give that could lead to finding a solution?
Any advice would be appreciated, I am stumped.

 

there are a couple videos on youtube about the timing belt for the zx2. There is one in particular which tells people the wrong information. This confuses a lot of people and they refuse to listen to anything other than that video. Based on your description it still sounds like you are not setting something properly. Also, based on your description it appears your problem with the car may be something else entirely but before that can be determined we have to make sure that you understand how to set the timing correctly. You can bring the car down to J's garage in cheyenne (it is real close to your location) and ask for me or Elizabeth and i will help you out with this.

hope to see you soon

 

anyone here have any advice?

 

Keep this tread and posts on topic, or it will be locked.
Hayapower

 

No problem!

Is the consensus that timing is still off? Could my valves be stuck? could it be a bad ECU?

 

Since the belt was recently replaced, making sure the valve timing is correct should be proved out. I sent you a PM for timing procedures. I’ve seen cam locking tools that allowed for some cam notch rotation/variation, as well as the crank not position locked in TDC and allowed for a tooth off there..
Any popping from intake/exhaust? Comps are?
If your certain of correct cam timing, more so exhaust cam, have you pulled plugs checking for wet plugs/injector fuel drop?
I’d make certain there’s no base engine issues if an unknown, valve timing is spec, and check for injector pulse-fuel drop/wet plugs. PCM fails are fairly rare, and proving out what it’s not, helps in a diagnosis for a no start...

 

the problem is more than the timing but getting understanding of the timing procedure is the biggest obstacle to overcome. That video on youtube really confuses people easily. It does it so often that the person who did the video even put a disclaimer in the video and still some choose not to believe it enough to read it and understand it

so until this part is finally understood, can't really go to the next step

 

I am new to timing, I think I got a basic understanding of TDC, cam position and how to place the belt, the file I used to lock the cams isn't exact so there is a small amount of play, I could find a better locking tool and try the timing again. I tried adjusting timing but putting the belt on with slightly different crank positions, TDC is when the crank's notch aligns at 12 oclock, I tried 1230, 1 oclock, 11 and 1130 oclock if that makes sense. Maybe I need to make even smaller increments? I figured at the least I could at least get it running, even if the timing was slightly off and adjust from there but I cant get it to start at all. sometimes it spits and sputters like it wants to start, and ether does not help.

I have disconnected the fuel rail and checked for fuel when starting and the injectors are spraying. When cranking it backfires through intake from time to time but it's not constant. I know very little about valves except that they control the intake and exhaust but I have not ever physically torn any apart. I am a hands on guy and I understand theory from watching others, I haven't gotten that far in this engine. Should I tear deeper into the engine to check for other problems in the engine? I haven't specifically looked at the spark plugs but I am sure they are wet, I will check tomorrow when I get back to working on it and let you know. I just got a compression tester tomorrow I am going to test compression. I will post what I get if you think that will help diagnose.

 

so I didn't have a compression tester, i had a leak detector so I didn't get to test compression yet. I'm gonna get a real comp tester and try again next week. anyways, I did some more troubleshooting with timing and I created a little quick video showing what I am doing to to set timing, please, if there is something i am missing, or doing wrong I would like your guy's opinion. I did it real quick so if something wasn't clear on what I was doing I can explain in words or get a better video.