utenart

Hi - just replaced head gaskets and timing belt, and it won't start. Have fuel and spark. Dash shows engine light on. Any ideas?

mac9968

Timing? does the engine turn over and try to run? Do you have a time light? Sorry the the questions, questions, questions, I do want to help. I have completed a headgasket job, and recently had to start the truck for the first time post headgasket, so it is fresh in my mind.

utenart

Hi - no, I don't have a timing light. It sounds like it wants to turn over, but doesn't.
It's be awhile since I've done mechanics work...

FogRunner

If you have fuel and spark the only thing I can think of is you didn't get the timing right on the belt.

Easy way to check is to run a compression test and see if all cylinders have good compression. If they don't then its the timing belt.

utenart

I will try that - thanks!

mac9968

Does the starter turn the engine at all, would you say that the battery is solid? Do you have a volt/ohm meter? What does your battery voltage read? More questions, right, sorry.
Do you have any of the service manuals for your truck? Did you do the headgasket and timing belt work yourself.

98runner210

Check and make sure all harnesses are plugged in.

utenart

Battery is new, and all harnesses are plugged in. We do have a manual, and have been reviewing every page !

FogRunner

In your original post you said you did the head gaskets, did you pull the cam shafts loose for any reason?? If so there is a "pre-load" procedure with a service bolt that goes in one of them IIRC. Normally if its not done the engine will run but will run rough with a very LOUD ticking.

But I would defiantly run a compression test. Its the least invasive way I can think of to check if the timing belt is off.

utenart

I did a compression check and have 60-100 pounds on each cylinder. The timing belt is on and looks like it is lined up,
Still won't start - and engine light is on.

brian2sun

Your compression is way too low. According to my Haynes, a 3.4 should have 218 psi standard and 145 minimum. The cylinders shouldn't vary more than 30 psi between eachother. You should crank the engine over at least 7 compression strokes w/ the compression quickly building up on each stroke, then move to the next cyl.

Could be the new HGs are not sealing, cracked or warped head(s), worn rings, leaking valves, or the camshafts (as Fogrunner suggested). I would do a leak down test to find the leak. Probably HGs though since that's what you replaced.

mac9968

Yikes, that sure doesnt sound good, wonder if values are not adjusted correctly, or as brian2 pointed out, not preload procedure done, would hate to think that it is back to doing another headgasket job. Did you have the heads tested, resurfaced?