Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Engine Won't Start On My 97!

[edgeman]

Hello all my fellow Cummins enthusiats. I have a problem. I just fixed my kdp and fixed my front gear case. I put everything back together and put all the gears back the way it was marked when I pulled the stuff off. Now I am ready to start it and it won't start. I have bleed the fuel system multiple times. I have changed my grid heater selonids. I am getting white smoke from the exhaust so I know that the engine is getting fuel. I have hit the engine with a little bit of Ether but I still can't get engine to even fire. What could the problem be? I know that when I replaced the Head several years ago I had this problem also and it was the valves not adjusted right. Could this be the problem again? Please Help!!!!!!#@$%!

 

[hsmith]

You somehow let it get out of time, gear probably slipped on the pump.

 

[ewcmr2]

Double check that you don't have a rag stuffed anywhere in the intake. You know, to keep debris out while working on the truck...

 

[edgeman]

Thanks guys I will check all of this out. HS Smith, I know that on the pump shaft there is that cut out for what looks like there is a key supposed to be in there but my pump gear does not have a key for that. how do I tell the gear is on the pump shaft right. Also would it still pump fuel if that was the problem. It has been a year and a half since the truck has been running!

 

[ewcmr2]

Any time the gear is removed from the pump shaft you have to reset the injection timing. You can get it close with the timing pin and the "flat blade" inside the pump.

Yes, with the timing way off it will still inject fuel, just at the wrong time.

 

[edgeman]

Thanks now my next question I can get the engine at TDC with the timing pin but how do I know my Injection Pump is at the right spot so I can put my gear on right!? this is my only delima on this timing... I know that my Gear now has slipped on the shaft! Thanks again!

 

[ewcmr2]

On the side of the p7100 is a large (15/16", just to the rear of the power steering resiviour cap) cap nut.

Under the cap nut there is a "blade" (looks like the buisness end of a flatblade screwdriver) that is centered in the hole when the pump is at the factory set point with the engine at TDC.

To set the timing this way:
Remove cap nut
Hand crank engine over until blade is centered in hole
Check if engine is now at TDC
If not:
Remove oil fill tube
Loosen pump nut
Pop gear loose from pump shaft
Turn engine to TDC
Double check that "blade" is still centered in hole
Re-assemble

All that said this method isn't considered to be very accurate, but it'll get you close enough. To do it right you'll need a P7100 timing kit.

 

[edgeman]

thanks so I don't have to take my timing cover off to re-time the truck?

 

[ewcmr2]

Correct. The P7100's drive gear nut is directly behind the oil fill tube.

Remove metal clamp on tube
Unscrew tube from 90* connector
Unscrew 90* from gear case cover
Don't drop nut inside cover

 

[MLee]

AND make sure you have #1 @ top dead center and not #6 How about the sensor on the vibration dampener? set @ . 50Thousans, and the dampener put back on the way it was BEFORE removal? On mine I was informed on here that it had to go back on the exact way it was taken off. So was it marked?

 

[ewcmr2]

Correct, pull the #1 valve cover to watch the valves to insure TDC of #1 not #6. On a 12v the crank damper position doesn't matter. The crank position sensor mostly just runs the tach and turns on the alternator.

 

[edgeman]

Well I put the truck back together and it fired up ran for about 5 seconds shut down and wouldn't start again... . got to wondering and I think I put my Cam in off time also... . I found that when I was pulling my exhaust push rods out they were bent into an S so I am figuring that the Cam is definitly out of time!? Is there any other possibilities?

 

[ewcmr2]

Ouch! Sounds like cam timing. You haven't adjusted the valves since the engine last ran right?

Tip of the day (too late for edgeman) Any time you work on anything timing related, turn the engine over by hand a couple times to verify that valves/pistons aren't going to occupy the same space at the same time.

 

[edgeman]

I did not adjust the valves since it last ran! This tip is definitly to late for me haha. Oh well it is a learning experiance for sure I will never do this again!