neon timing

[brandon_l1000]

I put a new water pump on a 2000 plymouth neon 2.0. I set it on tdc and set the crank and cam perfectly on the marks and it still will not run right. It will start but when it first starts it revs really high then starts missing and backfiring like mad. someone please help me out.

Topic

[Third Gear]

If it ran fine before, obviously the timing got off somehow. Is yours the SOHC? This is what I found on the Chilton website

1. Set the crankshaft sprocket to Top Dead Center (TDC) by aligning the notch on the sprocket with the arrow on the oil pump housing, then back off the sprocket three notches before TDC.
2. Set the camshaft to align the timing marks.
3. Move the crankshaft to 1/2 notch before TDC.
4. Install the timing belt starting at the crankshaft, around the water pump, then around the camshaft last.
5. Move the crankshaft to TDC to take up the belt slack.
6. Reinstall the tensioner to the block but do not tighten it.
7. Using a torque wrench apply 250 inch lbs. (28 Nm) of torque to the tensioner pulley.
8. With torque being applied to the tensioner pulley, move the tensioner up against the tensioner bracket and tighten the fasteners to 275 inch lbs. (31 Nm).
9. Remove the tensioner plunger pin, the tension is correct when the plunger pin can be removed and replaced easily.
10. Rotate the crankshaft two revolutions and recheck the timing marks.
11. Reinstall the timing belt cover.
12. Reinstall the engine mount bracket.
13. Reinstall the right engine mount.
14. Remove the engine support.
15. Reinstall the crankshaft damper and tighten to 105 ft. lbs. (142 Nm).
16. Reinstall the drive belts and accessories.
17. Reinstall the right inner splash-shield.
18. Perform the crankshaft and camshaft relearn alignment procedure using the DRB scan tool or equivalent.

[David Zitterich]

Double check the cam and crank timing marks, and mabe check for a vacume hose that may have been bumped off somewhere.

[dreamer2355]

Next time you ‘set’ the timing, rotate the engine by hand using a breaker bar and after 2 revolutions of the crank from TDC, all the timing marks should line back up.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Quoted From dreamer2355:

Next time you ‘set’ the timing, rotate the engine by hand using a breaker bar and after 2 revolutions of the crank from TDC, all the timing marks should line back up.

I often do this myself on an engine that I’m not familiar with just to ensure that the engine is actually in time as I ‘hope’ it is after a job like that. If the timing is off doing this will often tell you before you put everything back together.

[brandon_l1000]

alright guys i took it back apart retimed it. exactly the why it is suppose to be. turned the engine by hand and everything matches up just like it should. start the car and its still not right idk what is wrong with it. im about to light it on fire.

[dreamer2355]

Is the CEL on?

If the vehicle was running fine prior to this water pump replacement, something happened during the install.

For it to be back firing sounds like its a timing issue still.

[spelunkerd]

I don’t know the answer, but I do recognize the problem. Here’s a prediction. It’s some goofy problem, like plug wires put on wrong, or a sensor unplugged, or a nut accidentally left behind, or the fins of the new pump binding on something. It’s a problem that’s gonna make you feel like a goof for overlooking. And it will make you smile and cry when you look back at the solution, years later. Don’t ask how I know this, ha ha.

If the computer doesn’t help to direct you to the answer then I would retrace your steps and double-check all your assumptions. Good luck.

[EricTheCarGuy]

+1 on rechecking the work just to be on the safe side but just in case things weren’t in time the first time you put it together and did the timing it’s probably not a bad idea to do a compression test just to be sure that no valves got bent or anything l

[Author]

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