trying to resurrect a 93 that has been sitting 2 yrs won't start

[KliersLC]

definitely sounds like you have no compression at all--I'd pull the valve cover and verify that the cams are lined up right--It looks like your "mechanic" may have put the whole thing together 180 out--especially if it ran at all afterward. You have two options here--fix it right or try to get it to work 180 out. My vote would be to pull the valve cover and do it right.

 

[ajax1]

Compression test wouldn't be bad idea too me sounds like just started turning over when you were cranking it you are sure you got spark? Igniter is good too? Fuseabile links good?

 

[ajax1]

Yea check the dots on the cams one side has two the other side has one

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

Time to remove the valve cover. Remove the spark plugs and burn them dry also. Turn the engine over to #1 TDC of compression. Verify both cam's have the lobes over #1 pointing upward to verify you're on compression stroke. Verify that the distributor rotor is in fact beginning to make contact with the #1 terminal on the cap; paint marking the cap to rotor mating surface directly down the center of the cap mound on the #1 terminal will help with this. If all these things check out then make sure your spark plug wires are all going to the proper cylinders by following the firing order. If this is also correct run a compression test on all the cylinders. If compression checks out then check that your injectors are in fact firing in the correct order or at all, you will either need to pull the fuel rail and observe the process or disconnect all injectors and use a Noid lights.Just because you have fuel at the line/rail/regulator doesn't mean your injectors are firing past the initial injection phase of start up. If your injectors are firing in the proper order then it should start. Fuel, air, spark, timing and compression are all that is needed for the engine to run. One of these things isn't present. From your last video it sounds like compression is missing this could be rings, head gasket or improper timing. Don't let the #1 having some compression lead you to
believe the other cylinders do too. Had a friends jeep I worked on for several hours before I realized it had compression on only 2 of 6 cylinders....good luck. By the way, if into turns out your injectors are not cycling check the MAF and if the MAF checks out check that the CPK (cam position sensor) is operating properly. The CPK should be located within the distributor.

 

[ppc]

The 93 has VAF not MAF. That said looking a one of the photos the connector to the VAF looks like it has been freshly taped. If someone tried to remove the connector by removing the screws that could have damaged the VAF internally and be causing the problem. Please post a closeup picture of that connector.

In the audio of the last video it sounds like there is no compression. Either pull the valve cover to check the cams or do the compression test.

 

[Eicca]

Subscribed.

(I read 'MUD mysteries like crime novels)

 

[ariff]

Yes so the VAF is taped up because some rodents chewed through one of the wires.. I was able to repair it and taped it up. I have not removed it so hopefully the fragile wires inside are still intact. I have been trying to test compression and at one time I'll get 120psi release pressure then try again and I'll get nothing or 30 psi sometimes 60 psi. Thought it may be my gauge not making a good seal in the plug hole. So I went to the parts store and rented one of theirs. I get nothing on theirs so the gauge could be bad. May ask my neighbor if he has one I can try out. I am going to try testing all 6 cylinders for compression and see if I get something. If I have no compression then I am assuming the HG was installed incorrectly and time for me to cut my losses and part this beast out. If I were to try starting it 180 degrees off assuming he put everything together backwards how would I connect the plug wires? One would go to six then what about the others? I may give this a try as a last shot. Never removed the VC on one of these before but looks like it may take awhile.. If I have no compression is it even worth removing the VC to look at stuff? Thanks for all the help!

 

[grizzlygibbs]

Just curious why you would not go ahead and throw a new head gasket in and check out the head?

 

[Eicca]

Stuck valves is a remote possibility.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

The 93 has VAF not MAF. That said looking a one of the photos the connector to the VAF looks like it has been freshly taped. If someone tried to remove the connector by removing the screws that could have damaged the VAF internally and be causing the problem. Please post a closeup picture of that connector.

In the audio of the last video it sounds like there is no compression. Either pull the valve cover to check the cams or do the compression test.

True, it is a VAF not an MAF but the point isn't to nitpick nomenclature it's to get the point across to check the Air flow meter whether it's Volumetric Vane air flow meter or a hot or cold wire Mass airflow sensor. I'm sure OP gets the point of needing to check the component. Either way it sounds like it may be the issue.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

Subscribed.

(I read 'MUD mysteries like crime novels)

Would that hurt to look for excessive wear and flat spots which may indicate stuck valves while he had the valve cover off. Good call.

 

[ariff]

Just curious why you would not go ahead and throw a new head gasket in and check out the head?

The truck is a complete basket case.. The interior is full of mold and will need to be entirely replaced. The amount of money that it would cost me to rebuild the engine and interior would not be worth what the truck is worth. I knew this going in.. It was a free vehicle and I thought if I could get it running without much effort I could take care of all the other stuff.. But not both. If the engine needs gone through that is a bit over my head for one and a that point I may as well sell it for parts (has locking axles) and put that toward a better running truck..

 

[ariff]

True, it is a VAF not an MAF but the point isn't to nitpick nomenclature it's to get the point across to check the Air flow meter whether it's Volumetric Vane air flow meter or a hot or cold wire Mass airflow sensor. I'm sure OP gets the point of needing to check the component. Either way it sounds like it may be the issue.

Is there a good method on testing the VAF? I have not run any tests on it as of yet..

 

[Eicca]

Is there a good method on testing the VAF? I have not run any tests on it as of yet..

Work on the compression issue first. If the VAF/MAF/WHTVR is dead it'll crank, fire and die. Right now just from the sound of it there's likely no compression going on

 

[MDarius]

You got this for free as a project for you and your son, right? If everything else is equal spending up to $[xxx] would still make this a great project. When you have nothing to lose there is a lot to learn.

If you need a vehicle that runs right away I get your point of view. I would buy a 91-93 Cruiser in better condition and use this one for parts. Otherwise, hang in there. Tackle one free/cheap issue at a time. Get the FSM (FREE HERE), test the things these guys are saying, pull the valve cover (a new valve cover gasket is cheap) and see what you learn. Even if it never runs you'll be way better off.

My $0.02.

 

[ariff]

You got this for free as a project for you and your son, right? If everything else is equal spending up to $[xxx] would still make this a great project. When you have nothing to lose there is a lot to learn.

If you need a vehicle that runs right away I get your point of view. I would buy a 91-93 Cruiser in better condition and use this one for parts. Otherwise, hang in there. Tackle one free/cheap issue at a time. Get the FSM (FREE HERE), test the things these guys are saying, pull the valve cover (a new valve cover gasket is cheap) and see what you learn. Even if it never runs you'll be way better off.

My $0.02.

All good points.. Just don't want this thing to become a money pit in a bad way if ya know what I mean..

 

[MDarius]

All good points.. Just don't want this thing to become a money pit in a bad way if ya know what I mean..

Yup. Set a limit, then set a limit on how far above that you'll go. If it were me I'd do an estimate on what I think I can get from parting it out and consider that as my limit. That way if you put $1,000 in it and it still doesn't run you can get it all back.

 

[ajax1]

All land cruisers are money pits specially if you can't turn wrench learn on this one, pull valve cvr it's like 10 bolts , remove throttle body four bolts, disconnect plugs lift off cvr, spin engine to top dead and see if the cams are times right I posted pic of checking them

 

[ariff]

All land cruisers are money pits specially if you can't turn wrench learn on this one, pull valve cvr it's like 10 bolts , remove throttle body four bolts, disconnect plugs lift off cvr, spin engine to top dead and see if the cams are times right I posted pic of checking them

Bam.. Yes I am gonna do this.. after I do a full compression test on each cylinder.. My neighbor lent me his nice known to be working tester. After this I'll report back with my results and most likely work on removing the valve cover tomorrow..

 

[ariff]

OK well I have more info and the plot thickens.. We removed all plugs and checked for compression on each cylinder. It makes no sense as I will get 120 psi then I try again and again and it keeps dropping then back up to 120 or so here is a video as it can better tell the story. This happened on every cylinder:



After this we decided to remove the valve cover and have a look see.. This job was not that tough. We have had the hood removed due to shot struts and if ya remove the air filter box you have a nice place to sit and work. Everything was easy to get to this way.

And with cylinder no 1 at TDC on compression stroke this is what I see.. Note what looks like a mark in the picture on the driver side cam is not paint but a small surface rust spot..

And here is what I see when the dist is 180 degrees off.. I see a paint mark on the driver side cam but nothing on the pass cam. In fact I saw no marks on the gear set on the pass side cam. But some paint marks on the very end of it?

And here is a video I took with the engine turning over without the vc off.. the boy wanted to see how everything worked.



We slung some oil pretty far right on to the wife's car.. Had to take a break and wash her hood off dohhh!

So I am still at a bit of a loss as to what exactly is happening. I guess if the cams are not properly setup it could make the valves not operate properly causing strange compression issues and what not.. This is kinda uncharted territory for me and the boy but it is fun learning. I have no idea how to line things properly without the factory markings to go off of. Looks like the driver side has them but there is nothing on the pass cam.. Well gonna go have a beer and relax a bit.. Any suggestions are more than welcome.. Thanks for all the help and encouragement so far!