No Start After Intake Manifold Gaskets Replaced

[Josiah]

Hello, my sisters 2003 Chevy Impala (3.4 V6) will not start after fixing a ripped out rocker arm and replacing lower intake manifold gaskets. It turns over faster than normal, as if it doesn’t have compression. It has spark, the wires are on correctly, the push rods are in correctly, the fuel pump is kicking in when I turn the key (and I spell gas at the tail pipe), so I know it is getting fuel. I don’t get it.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Topic

[Andrew Phillips]

Have you checked for compression? I would pull the #1 spark plug and verify that the engine is actually making compression before going further.

[Josiah]

Thanks for the reply!!

Yes, I checked compression when I had the manifold off. The lowest one was 150, Highest was 215, and the rest 180-195.

Do you think it has a bad fuel pressure regulator? The old spark plugs are black, and the idle was rough. Also low on power. Today I tried unplugging the fuel pump and the compression sounded better. I took the vacuum off the top of the regulator and smelled it, it smells like gas.

[Author]

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