starts but then dont start

[dieseltech24179]

i just changed the spark plugs today and the car started up and then idled down and died it did this for awhile and finally it started and stayed running fine after i gave it a little fuel it ran fine for like 3 hours i drove it around to see if my overheating problem was fixed but anyways it started up fine after making a few stops here and there. then when i got back to my house i cut it off went in side for something and when i came back out it wouldnt start it would just crank and crank and crank. i bumped it over until the timing marks was inline with the knotchs on the cover and then i looked at the crank pulley and the mark down there said 7 or 8 degrees. could this be the reason for it not wanting to start everytime?

[CyFi6]

it definitely can be, sounds like your belt slipped, you should definately fix it and also check out why it did that. When the cam marks are strait up, the crankshaft notch should be right at 0

[dieseltech24179]

how would you set the timing then. this is the first vehicle i have ever owned that required timing so im a little confused about how to get that mark to line back up to zero

[CyFi6]

You need to loosen the timing belt tensioner and slide the belt off the cams, then put the crank to the 0 mark, turn the cams so they are strait up and put the belt back on, and re-tension. Make sure you torque the tensioner bolt to the proper specs!! If you over tighten it you can cause the #1 cylinder to change shape and cause excessive blowby

[dieseltech24179]

Alright thanks for the help is this very hard to do? Just unbolt the tensioner I don't have to loosen the belt first or nething

[Chambers]

Don't unbolt the tensioner, just loosen it. Then you can use plyers to remove the spring that holds tension on the belt. After that just do as stated above, set all the marks to the correct place.

Good luck.

[dieseltech24179]

So whenever the mark on the crank gear is on zero the engine is at tdc so when I set the cam gear marks up then the engine is timed right. Seems like no way to mess it up.

[CyFi6]

as long as the crank is at 0 when the cam marks are strait up, nothing is wrong with the valve timing. Do make sure that once you re-do it, you turn the crankshaft around a few times and make sure it still lines up. (note that the cam marks are only going to be strait up and down and at 0 with the crank every other revolution because they spin at half the speed)

[dieseltech24179]

Ok thanks I'm gonna try to do that tomorrow idk if it will start. The plugs may still be good. That would also explain the rush of air goin back into the intake when I crank like the intake valve opening when the piston is on the comp stroke???