Help please non starter

[sapper]

Ive just changed the head gasket on my freelander and now it wont start.
It turns over but wont fire up, I cant see what is missing. anybody got any ideas please.

[sunbeam_alpine]

Do you have a spark at the plugs?

(I'm guessing a petrol model - please give more details!)

[sapper]

yes mate, spark is there it just wont fire up, ive checked for loose connections and its getting so the battery is getting flat now so i dont want to keep turning it over. driving me mad. any suggestions will be appreciated

[5 wh]

Start with the obvious-is there petrol in it?

[oakdale]

I assume that you have got the timing marks lined up o/k, but are you sure you have the cam wheels on correctly?

There are two ways they can go onto the pin on the cam depending if it's the exhaust or inlet cam, but they are marked to show this.

[sapper]

oakdale said:

I assume that you have got the timing marks lined up o/k, but are you sure you have the cam wheels on correctly?

There are two ways they can go onto the pin on the cam depending if it's the exhaust or inlet cam, but they are marked to show this.

The timing marks were spot on.
And the cam wheels went back on the same cams

[Engineer1]

Plugs in the right order? are you getting sparks? are you getting fuel?

[sapper]

Engineer1 said:

Plugs in the right order? are you getting sparks? are you getting fuel?

Yes mate plugs are in the right order, i double checked that last night. the spark is a bit weak though so ill be fitting new plugs.
I can smell the fuel when tuning it over so i think it must be getting through and there is fuel in the tank.
It got to the point yesterday were the battery was struggling to turn it over.

Edited by sapper on Sunday 4th October 11:15

[oakdale]

sapper said:

oakdale said:

I assume that you have got the timing marks lined up o/k, but are you sure you have the cam wheels on correctly?

There are two ways they can go onto the pin on the cam depending if it's the exhaust or inlet cam, but they are marked to show this.

The timing marks were spot on.
And the cam wheels went back on the same cams

What I mean though, is that the cam wheels can still be put on wrong, as there are two positions for the wheels to be put on the cams.

[sapper]

oakdale said:

sapper said:

oakdale said:

I assume that you have got the timing marks lined up o/k, but are you sure you have the cam wheels on correctly?

There are two ways they can go onto the pin on the cam depending if it's the exhaust or inlet cam, but they are marked to show this.

The timing marks were spot on.
And the cam wheels went back on the same cams

What I mean though, is that the cam wheels can still be put on wrong, as there are two positions for the wheels to be put on the cams.

In that case its possible that they are in the wrong position. how do I tell, and will i have done any damage if they are wrong. Any idea how to get them in the wright position

Edited by sapper on Sunday 4th October 16:12

Ive just changed the plugs and swapped the position of both cam wheels, one at a a time, and still no life. I tried starting after changing the position of each wheel.
It just turns over, not even a cough

Edited by sapper on Sunday 4th October 17:56

Edited by sapper on Sunday 4th October 17:58

[oakdale]

I didn't mean just try the wheels in a different position, I meant check that they are in the correct position.
They are marked, one aperture in each wheel has exhaust written by it and the other has inlet written by it, so if it's the inlet cam, you put the wheel on so that the locating pin fits in the aperture marked inlet and vice-versa, (you can see the marks without taking the wheel off).

I have never fitted them incorrectly, but have heard of someone doing it with no damage caused.
I think you need check they are correct, then check the compressions and go from there.

Edited by oakdale on Sunday 4th October 18:51

[sapper]

oakdale said:

I didn't mean just try the wheels in a different position, I meant check that they are in the correct position.
They are marked, one aperture in each wheel has exhaust written by it and the other has inlet written by it, so if it's the inlet cam, you put the wheel on so that the locating pin fits in the aperture marked inlet and vice-versa, (you can see the marks without taking the wheel off).

I have never fitted them incorrectly, but have heard of someone doing it with no damage caused.
I think you need check they are correct, then check the compressions and go from there.

Edited by oakdale on Sunday 4th October 18:51

Got it, I understand, unfortunatley it will have to wait till next weekend now ive got to go back to work, thanks for the help ill let you know how i get on.


Managed to get it started,but the gasket problem is still there,so now Im thinking of either coverting it to a diesel engine if thats possible, or just getting rid.

Edited by sapper on Wednesday 14th October 13:52