We just finished installing a freshly rebuild motor. We did it, not a shop built motor.

We pulled the dme I order to build some oil pressure. That part went well.

We replaced the dme and attempted to start to motor. See attached video.

We checked the fuel rail, there is plenty of pressure. The exhaust blows as expected when trying to start. No bad noises aside from the stutter shown in the video. With the dme pulled the motor spins very smoothly.

It seems like there is a timing issue with the distributor. To install the distributor I turned the motor to tdc number one cylinder. I verified that the valves were closed when the crank was positioned at tdc. I installed the distributor, aligning the rotors with the marks on the distributor housing. The coils are new, wires are new and plugs are new.

What did I do wrong?

 

Having trouble uploading the video. With the due installed the motor spins a few times, then pauses, then spins a few times, then pauses. No backfires, no attempt to fire.

 

 

Sorry to hear the startup isn't going smoothly. Can you upload to youtube or a cloud drive eg Microsoft OneDrive? Sounds like the noises are important to diagnosis.
Edit: never mind, saw what you posted while I was writing this reply

Also,
- have you checked for spark on any of the cylinders?
- are you certain the cams are timed correctly? Sounds like they are if cranking w/o DME is good but doesn't hurt to ask

Hope this is sorted soon.

 

Must have posted the video just before your reply. We did not verify spark, it was cold, we were tired so decided to work again tomorrow night. This is my first rebuild, so I could be wrong but I don't think I got the cam timing wrong.

I suspected a fuel issue since there was no strong odor of fuel after cranking over several times for 15-20 seconds each time. I checked the test port on the fuel rail and there was fuel.

If there is no spark, I should smell fuel. Since there is fuel but no smell, it should be burning I think. But if it's burning, there should be a backfire or at least a pop if it's timed incorrectly.

 

are your camshafts oriented correctly?

 

I used the factory tools and method for the 993. Crank at tdc cylinder one. The cam holders only allow for three orientations of the cam, two are definitely wrong and the third is cylinder one both closed or just opening/ just closing, culylinder four both open or openkng/closing if I remember correctly. I dont think the issue is the cam timing but I could certainly be wrong.

 

Hmmmm,..you did confirm that the proper cam is installed on the correct side, yes?

I've seen many good people make that mistake (swapped cams) as its not hard to do.

If you have spark (at the right time) & fuel, it should start unless the cam timing is off or they have been installed on the wrong side.

Check the rotors at #1 TDC to make certain the distributor went back in correctly and double-check all of your plug connector positions.

 

Must be gut wrenching. My heart dropped after a plug wire change and had spurts and sputters upon starting. Didn't want to pull intercooler off again. Was able to chase it to one plug wire off on dizzy cap.
The vid sorta sounds like a timing issue. Hard to tell but sounds as if valves aren't opening and closing when they should. Hope I'm wrong. Good luck

 

If you are timing w/ the factory tools, then you want both camshafts to have their dot/keyway pointing up when you use the tools to lock them on the flywheel end. You can see the dot in one of MikeJ's photos :

http://www.pcarworkshop.com/images/thumb/3/3b/020308_-_0003.JPG/800px-020308_-_0003.JPG

(somehow I am stuck on the mobile version of rennlist, which I kinda like, except I forgot the image syntax)

-reiner

 

With a 993 and power steering, I don't think you can swap cams side to side and still have everything bolt up properly. Can someone confirm?

Both dots were up. I verified the cams were in the correct position. I will double check as possible while in the car.

I suspect the distributor is not aligned. I will confirm this am before work hopefully.

 

Pull a spark plug and see if you have spark. It will also allow you to see if you have fuel getting there. I would also pull a cap off to verify timing. If that checks out, I would check compression to see if the valve timing is correct.

 

cams 180 degrees out?

 

+1

 

Doubtful, as he used the factory timing tools and noted: