Timing Belt issues.

[Frank Spadafore]

I was driving home, I heard a snap. I knew it was the timing Belt. I replaced the belt. Lined the crank up at tdc. I also lined up the cam and the oil pump pulleys by the two timing marks. I turned the engine by hand to make sure I did not hear any clinking sounds. Things sounded good no noise. I tried to start it but would not start. Then I noticed two more marks on the cam and oil pulleys. Marked the two marks that I used the first time and used the other two. It started up ran smooth, I noticed that I now have a ticking noise. It appears to be coming from # one cylinder. I took it for a drive around the block and also noticed that there is a bad hesiation from a take off from a stop. They say it is a non interfaced motor so the valves should not have been damaged. While I was pulling the plugs had a hell of a time getting # one wire off. I gave a good yank and got to come off. Is it possible that I damaged the wire and the cylinder is not firing correctly? Or am I dealing with a bigger problem like a bent valve or a busted rocker arm or is a lifter hitting the valve cover, due to a bent valve?

 

[RonD]

Tick could be spark "jumping the gap" on a bad wire, this would also delay and minimize spark on that cylinder.
Could account for a hesitation

Did you turn the engine around after using the new marks?
Often when you apply the tension on the belt the cam mark is off by a tooth, so like you did the first time, you rotate the crank one way and then the other then line up crank to TDC and make sure Cam is also lined up.
Off by a tooth or two causes sluggishness because of low compression.

No, probably not a bent valve
What engine is it?

 

[Frank Spadafore]

Timing Belt Issue

Yes I did rotate the crank, I rotated it all the way around back to top dead center and yes the marks are lined up. I did this about three times to make sure. The engine at idle runs smooth, and while driving it. The only thing is the tick and the hesitation. It is a 2.3 L four cylinder 1997. I have not been driving the truck, do not want to make things worse, just in case I have something major going on. Thank you Ron D. I will try a new wire set to see if this will correct the problem. I will check in on Saturday and let you know what happened. I do appreciate all the information and help.

 

[kunar]

did you check and/or re-set ignition timing?

 

[RonD]

You can also just pull off a spark plug wire, at distributor/coil end, with engine off, and then start up engine and see if noise goes away, yes it will miss , but it will also tell you if tick is spark or mechanical.

Also turning off all the lights with engine running can expose spark arcing on wires and at the spark plug holes if boots or spark plug insulators are cracked.

Could also be the timing belt cover, close to #1, I often use a short hose as a stethoscope to isolate noises, broom handle if its metal part I want to hear

 

[lovitt07]

it is more than likely the wires especially if they have not been replaced in a while these trucks are notorious for the metal ends inside the boots to stick to the plug it is also found on the v-6 models let us know what you find when you replace the wires

 

[Frank Spadafore]

Timing Belt Issue

Well guys, I am getting back on with more problems. I did have a check engine light come on about month ago. I pulled a P 01701 to lean bank sensor system one. Replaced the upstream 02 sensor. I replaced the 02 sensor after the timing belt was done thinking that after the battery was disconnected the computer was reset to a factory setting, giving me the problem that I am having with the sputtering. Reconnected the battery and the check engine light went away. I also checked all the wires and re-seated them, and got rid of the ticking. Now the thing is the sputter I get when I take off from a stop. It is more so while the engine is warming up. Not when I first start it up and go, it seems fine. I also notice a miss while I am driving it while it is getting to operating temp. After is runs for a while, and is at operating temp you don't feel the miss any more. But after I replaced the 02 sensor it seems like it runs better but not right yet. I did have the check engine light come back on just yesterday, went to oreilys and it was the same code P 01701, they said I have to clear the code with the code puller it does not work by just disconnecting the battery. So I did that, and no check engine light yet, but I have only drove it for about fifty miles. Any ideas Gentlemen? I thank every one for there help.

 

[RonD]

Disconnecting the battery doesn't clear the history in the PCMs memory, but it does turn off the CEL(check engine light).
The CEL will come back on if problem wasn't fixed.


Does your '97 2.3l have an EGR system?

The EGR valve can get dirty and stick open a little.