I just replaced my timing belt and water pump. I matched all the timing marks and even marked the old belt and sprockets and transferred the paint marks to the new belt. Everything lines up, checked 3 times and put it all together. She will not start. I have spark, and fuel, but no sign of combustion. Could i have messed up and somehow set it up 180 deg out? How would i confirm this. What else could it be?

 

180 out shoulld backfire, do you hear any?
line up timing marks and rotate by hand then recheck timing marks
does the motor make any puffing sounds?
what was the reason for belt replacement did it break?or just maintenance?

 

Water pump failure. Checked all the timing marks and unless I'm stupid, they all line up. Makes no sence. No backfire, no sputter. I played with the plug wires and got a sputter, but I have confirmed they are correct as well. I'm tearing it apart tomorrow fully to have a real close look.

 

Do all 3 marks line up? (cams and crank) Did you remove the distributor? Did you remove the plug wires from the distributor and maybe mix them up? Did you do a compression test? You marked the belt to pulley with paint marker, how do you know that the belt to crank pulley didn't move?

 

all 3 marks line up. I did replace the cap, and wires. But all are plunged in correctly, as per manual. I haven't done a compression check yet as it was running fine before the water pump started leaking. I marked the pully and belt with paint and transferred the paint marks to the new belt. everything lines up. Almost thinking maybe something moved and im out 180 on the crank or something? I have a mechanic friend comming over this week to look at it as it just isn't making any sense. I have done lots of timing belts and never had a problem like this.

 

when all the marks are lined up where is the rotor pointed??

 

Ok. Problem solved. Turns out whoever worked on it before me messed up and had the distributor in 2 teeth out, but instead of fixing it properly, they moved the spark plugs 1 position on the cap. So make sure the distributor is correct, even if you personally didn't move it.

 

I have the same problem but the timing belt brock.
It's a 1997 Dodge Caravan 3.0L it want start the fuil filter and spark plugs and wires air filter the coil and cap and router buten has been replaced. After replaceing all that than the ladey tells me that the timing belt brok on her a few monts a go so i lined up the crankshaft timing mark and the cameshaft timing marks a off? what do I have to do to get it set correctly!