Car won't start!!!

[benny3008]

I've posted on here a few times about changing the timing belt on my citroen zx, i have now completed that task and the bl00dy thing still wont start. It sounds as though there is compression in the cylinders but it wont fire, i had previously taken of the spark leads but no matter how many combinations i try them in it still wont have it. (Yes, Yes, Yes i know i should have marked them before i took them off, I forgot OK). As i was saying, it sounds like there is compression but not quite enough, i've tried putting petrol in it, thought that would be the obvious thing to do but still no luck, i've tried bumping the car with jum leads from my mums car thinkin that the battery may be dead and still nothin!!! It is driving me nuts. Anyone got any ideas what it could be.
Any suggestions welcome.
TIA

[rnchugg]

ok, back to basics.
1) was the car running Prior to the belt being replaced?
2) If Yes then you need to go back to EVERYTHING you have done starting with simply removing the battery terminal, step by step. Then in a such "reverse" everything.
3) If NO then why was the belt replaced?
What full make, model, age is the car?
Sorry having come mid way through this thread and have now realised there are other threads im just tryng to get the back ground info. Online all night so will await reply.

[benny3008]

Ok, here goes, the person who had the car before me replaced the tensioner because it was broken or something, i dont know exactly why it was changed but anyway he got a new belt with the tensioner but didnt bother to replace the belt at the same time, he refitted the original belt along with the new tensioner but didnt set the timing correctly. he'd obviously tried to start it, noticed it didnt work, couldnt be bothered to get it fixed so sold it, and i was the lucky buyer. I have since replaced the timing belt with the new one, ( I did this job with a friend who is very good with engines), We took off the rocker cover to ensure that the timing was set correctly, i.e piston 1 was at TDC. We put everything back together and tried to start. No luck. since i bought the car ive had the spark leads off the distributor cap (Yes, I know i should have marked them first, my bad) we put the spark leads back on after replacing the timing belt, put battery terminals back on, connected to my mums car with jumper cables and tried to start but still no luck, so as it stands, w are 99 positive that the timing is correct but we are unsure wether or not the distributor cap is the original (it doesent look like the ones in the picture in the haynes manual) so we think it migh have been changed for a different one in the past therefore could be different firing order, like i said we are unsure wether or not it is the original, im convinced it is, Adrian (my helper) has his doubts.

Car details:
Citroen ZX 1.4i 1994 (if u want any more details, let me know)

Thanks for all your help everyone!!! its much appreciated, :)

[benny3008]

oooops that should read 'we are 99% positive that the timing is correct........

[cazzz1975]

presuming you have used a timing gun timed off the number 1 plug lead and you have compression (assuming you have tested it) that leaves fuel and air so either the petrol is not getting there or the airflow is blocked which is unlikely

[rnchugg]

Ok, well I have slight alarm bells ringing as you said "he'd obviously tried to start it, noticed it didnt work," There is a possibility that he incorrectly fitted the belt and has bent a valve(s) so in panic mode lets "sell it". Have you done a compression test? at this point if there is a valve(s) bent then the damage is done so doing a compression test will answer that question!

(a usefull piece of tech data) http://freespace.virg...U32K%29%20[Cat=TU3MZ]

The firing order is the standard 1,3,4,2 with the No 1 plug location: N/S/F.
Are you on instant messenger? Media URL: http://freespace.virgin.net/carmechanic.co/citroen/citroen5.htm#ZX,%201.4,%20,1360%20cc,%201991-,Engine%20Code%20K2D%28TU32K%29%20[Cat=TU3MZ]
Description:

[cazzz1975]

if the distributor is sparking at the right time then it shouldnt be the distributor, did you time it statically or with a gun?

[cazzz1975]

lol chugg, I had alarm bells ringing there too ;)

[benny3008]

sorry, not sure what you mean by statically or with a gun??? rnchugg yeh im on instant messenger, my addy is [email protected] (Thats MSN by the way)

[benny3008]

the freespace link you psted is the one used originally to get the firing order, i did wonder wether the valves could be bent or not, i bl00dy hope not but im startin to think it is now. :(

[cazzz1975]

with a gun you use the spark from the engine to flash a strobe light onto the timing marks while cranking the engine, statically you set the engine to the timing marks and move the distributor until you get a spark across the points presuming you dont have electronic ignition.

did you check the compression?

[cazzz1975]

if you have bent the valves at least it will be an experience!

[benny3008]

yeh we did it statically then, and yes we checked the compression however when it compresses a puff of steam or something comes out of the pipe which goes to the carburettor. nt sure if that should be happening or not.

[cazzz1975]

a fuel pipe or an air pipe?

[benny3008]

an air pipe i think, it doesent look like a fuel pipe, it doesent have much sealing around it which makes me think its air and not fuel???

[vulcan]

When the world has stopped turning because the sun is too close, No Know will still be saying "it's the fan".! LOL

[benny3008]

hahaha pmsl, He just tryin to confuse me, unless he serious!!!

[cazzz1975]

what were the compression numbers from 1-4 in psi when you checked the compression?

[rnchugg]

Right remove all plugs, put the engine to TDC no 1 cylinder. Keep the recover cover off. Turn the engine BY HAND WITH A SPANNER OR RACHET and see if you can hear the engine "compressing" or gently put your thumb/finger over the spark plug holes while its going through the firing order. On the induction storke you should feel a "vacum" and you finger/thumb being sucked in, make sure that happens on all 4 cylinders. On the compression stroke All valves are closed and you should feel ypou finger being forced out, it will be very slight but you should feel it. (just trying msn)

[benny3008]

ummmmm, sorry i dont know, if we did check the compressions which im sure we did, we didnt use any measuring equipment to do it, maybe im imagining things.