Got fuel pressure, got spark, but it doesn't start

[VRoman]

Today my car suddenly died on the road. I was driving 45mph and lost all power. I checked fuel pressure by disconnecting fuel line. It sprays fuel 30 feet in the air, so it should have enough pressure. I pulled two spark plugs, they both fireing just fine. I also tried to reset the ECU, but nothing helps. It cranks normally. It seems like it gets no fuel into the cylinders. What should I check next? Could it be timing problem? I just had timing belt replaced two weeks ago.

[Manarius]

MAF? Maybe? Sounds like a long shot, but it may be possible.

[scuzzy]

Today my car suddenly died on the road. I was driving 45mph and lost all power. I checked fuel pressure by disconnecting fuel line. It sprays fuel 30 feet in the air, so it should have enough pressure. I pulled two spark plugs, they both fireing just fine. I also tried to reset the ECU, but nothing helps. It cranks normally. It seems like it gets no fuel into the cylinders. What should I check next? Could it be timing problem? I just had timing belt replaced two weeks ago.

If a non subaru specific mechanic replaced your timing belt he could have compressed the tensioner improperly or too quickly and damaged it - therefore it could be the timing.

[VRoman]

OK. If it is MAF, then should I be able to start the engine with MAF disconnected? I tried that this morning, still no start.

How can I check timing at home? Will I be able to see the problem if I take the cover off the timing belt?

[VRoman]

I just went and bought a can of starting fluid and tried spaying it into the intake - no result. The car still doesn't start. No backfires either.

[scuzzy]

I just went and bought a can of starting fluid and tried spaying it into the intake - no result. The car still doesn't start. No backfires either.

timing, buddy.


edit: let me add that our cars will normally crank and idle very poorly with a disconnected maf - the chances that a car wouldn't start with a bad maf are very slim, and you can disconnect your maf, if you're still getting nothing out of it and the following conditions exist:
1: You have spark
2: You have fuel pressure
3: You live on earth and you're not in a giant vacuum bubble

then chances are more than likely it is your timing belt. - it could also be your ECU, or your crank or cam angle sensors - infact crank angle sensor is a good one, but all of these items relate to your timing.

So you're looking at in order of most likely:

1: timing belt failure due to improper installation
2: timing belt failure due to tensioner failure
3: timing belt failure due to idler pulley failure
4: crank angle or cam angle sensor failure
5: faulty ECU (this is pretty far out there and I wouldn't -CONSIDER- it untill you're 100% on all of the others)

[Binford]

Sounds like timing belt to me, especially since it was recently messed with. Even if someone knew what they were doing when they replaced it, sh*t happens. Take off one of the timing belt covers over the cams and check to see the belt is still there, and spins as it should when you crank it over.

[VRoman]

OK. Timing is the problem as far as I can see. I took both timing blet covers off and the first thing I saw was some kind of a smashed and bent metal o-ring that fell out from the covers. That can't be good. Then I tried to align all timing marks. The marks on the camshafts and the belt are off by about 20 and 60 degrees. I guess that o-ring was caught by the belt and it slipped. Is there a chance that I have bent valves now?

[scuzzy]

OK. Timing is the problem as far as I can see. I took both timing blet covers off and the first thing I saw was some kind of a smashed and bent metal o-ring that fell out from the covers. That can't be good. Then I tried to align all timing marks. The marks on the camshafts and the belt are off by about 20 and 60 degrees. I guess that o-ring was caught by the belt and it slipped. Is there a chance that I have bent valves now?

not unless you have DOHC heads - SOHC heads are non interference with EJ22/EJ22T motors made in the states.

besides, if your valves were bent, you'd hear it.

[Binford]

There are two marks on the crankshaft gear. Do both camshafts line up with each other? The marks should all be straight up. You may want to search as this has been gone over pretty extensively, and you may even find pics.

[VRoman]

There are two marks on the crankshaft gear. Do both camshafts line up with each other? The marks should all be straight up. You may want to search as this has been gone over pretty extensively, and you may even find pics.

Nope, they don't line up. Cams are about 80 degrees off from each other. Both marks on the belt and gears do not line up. I'lll just take it back to the shop that installed the timing belt for me. I don't have the right tools to take the belt off myself and realign it. It's their fault anyway. I am still wondering where that metal ring could come from. By looking at the shape of this ring (or what's left of it) I can see that it went through the gears several times.

[Binford]

Yeah, definately take it back. I don't recall any type of snap ring or anything in there, IDK. It sounds like a tensioner issue to me. The tensioner is supposed to be replaced with the timing belt, but I had no issues reusing mine.

[VRoman]

I got everything fixed today and it had nothing to do with the new timing belt or cam seals. The problem was caused by a broken idler pulley. That metal ring was part of the pulley... Now I know what that noise was that I heard for over a year.
Thanks your help!