Stupid Head

**Halon** · 11-10-2003

got done putting on my head today. but of course, it don't wanna start. just sits there and cranks over and over. It's rather annoying. Why won't this stupid thing just freakin start. Imma check all the timing crap again tomorrow. We had everything lined up but i guess it never hurts to recheck. im also gunna check the compression and make sure i gotta spark. If anyone has any other ideas then ur free to comment. Im just kinda writing this so once i find the problem, maybe it'll help sumone someday who ran into this same crap.

11-10-2003

1) make sure the plugs are getting spark
2) make sure the injectors are firing
3) make sure the timing is properly aligned
4) make sure you got all sensors hooked up (not sure what year your car is)
5) PayPal me money for this advice
6) suck-off Tom, my mouth hurts

**Halon** · 11-10-2003

well i found my problem. We put the exhaust came in 180 degrees off, we lined up the wrong fuckin timing mark........ so got everything installed the CORRECT way today. And sure enough, won't start. im pretty sure i know what my problem is. Looks like imma need a new head. I have 140 compression in cyl.3, and 0 compression in the other 3. So next time i get free time to work on it, the head is coming off again so i can see what damage we did when we had that exhaust cam off 180. But i also have no spark. but that's not my main concern right now. anywho ya, kinda bummed, but what can i do, i guess ill just become very efficient at removing heads with all this practice.

Matt D. · 11-10-2003

Have you even attempted to rule out what is causing the 0 compression?

11-10-2003

do a leakdown test and find out where everything is going.you'll have a better chance of success if you have an idea of what failed before you start ripping it apart.

tsi_dwarf · 11-11-2003

ya i was there helping him put everything on and when it didnt start he looked sooo sad i felt bad for him i mean if he was a girl... or i was gay.... i would've given him a hug cause he looked like he could use one...... oh hell i think ill go give him one now anyway

**Goat Blower** · 11-11-2003

Line up the crank timing mark to zero, then make sure both your cam gear dowels are at 12 o'clock and check your timing marks for alignment. Make sure you use a straightedge lining up the cam marks through the centerline of the bolt. If they're all lined up and you still have no compression, pull the head off and start over.

**Halon** · 11-11-2003

we did use a straight edge, put cyl #1 at TDC, alligned cam gears, both dowels pointing north, alligned the front balance shaft sprocket thing to the timing mark, made sure the oil pump sprocket was alligned correctly and not 360 degrees off. Nothing more to allign that im aware of. so bent valves is what im thinkin

**Halon** · 11-11-2003

i do not know how to do a leakdown test. im pretty sure that everything is lined up timing wise. it had good compression before we started this lil project, i don't know what else it could be

Matt D. · 11-11-2003

Wrong cams?

**Halon** · 11-11-2003

cam labeled INT is towards the intake mani, cam labeled EXH is towards the exh manifold.

**JET** · 11-11-2003

Alright, if your exhaust cam was off 180 degrees, wouldn't it be trying to open the exhaust valves the same time as the intake? I am guessing they would meet in the middle and bend. I am not positive on this, but it sounds like what would happen to me.

Enes · 11-11-2003

it is just as if it threw the timing belt but its worse because the valves are not free flowing any more and are going to be stuck there so if they want to open and pinstons are in TDC they will be meating each other for lunch and dinner..

-E

**Halon** · 11-11-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by JET@Nov 11 2003, 02:07 PM
Alright, if your exhaust cam was off 180 degrees, wouldn't it be trying to open the exhaust valves the same time as the intake? I am guessing they would meet in the middle and bend. I am not positive on this, but it sounds like what would happen to me.

i dont think so, cuz the intake and exhaust strokes are not exactly opposite each other. It goes Intake, compression, combustion, exhaust. so if the exhaust cam is 180 off then i would see the exhaust valves opening during the compression stroke. and to me that equals fizzzuked up valves. im not 100% sure of this, but kinda how i figured it

Raptor · 11-11-2003

I would guess you bent the valves as well. What year car? I may have a head for you.

**Halon** · 11-11-2003

its a 91 tsi awd. if u have a head lemme know asap, im about to buy one from sumone else for 150 shipped. doesn't come with lifters or rocker arms, but i can just take them outta my one i got right now. But if u got one that u are SURE is good, no leaking valve stem seals or anything, then lemme know asap man!

**JET** · 11-11-2003

Make sure the other one you are buying comes with the cam caps!

Raptor · 11-11-2003

Sorry, the only ones I have at the moment are 2G. Like JET said, make sure he at least has the caps for it. Hey, now may be a good time to go with the new style lifters as well. They can be had for a little more than $7 each.

**Halon** · 11-12-2003

may i ask why cam caps are important? i mean i can take the ones of mine and put it on that one right? or are they like non interchangable? just wondering. I'm pretty sure it comes with the cam caps but ill ask him just to make sure 100%

niterydr · 11-12-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by me612@Nov 12 2003, 12:25 AM
may i ask why cam caps are important?  i mean i can take the ones of mine and put it on that one right?  or are they like non interchangable?  just wondering.  I'm pretty sure it comes with the cam caps but ill ask him just to make sure 100%

My money is on bent valves, with probably some piston damage, how many times did you try to crank it? Cause if it cranked multiple times you probably had a valve wedge the piston from moving (not good).
The other option is what is the headgasket made of? Im assuming you used a new one...What did you torque it to?
Also did you perform the test correctly? Possibly a chunk of the tool (o-ring) get stuck down a spark plug hole? How does the motor sound when testing? (air coming out other holes?)
Do a leakdown test, or just rip it off, and keep us posted.
FYI, its not recommended to swap cam caps, just like its not recommended to swap main caps and so forth.