FLCL-MX6

I have a '96 mazda mx-6 V6 manual

I just changed:
Water Pump
Timing Belt
PCV Valve
Front Valve Cover Gasket
Spark Plugs

Initial Problem to make me change that stuff:
Water Pump failed
when I took out the spark plugs to put the engine at TDC to remove the timing belt, I noticed oil on the spark plugs on the #2,4,6 spark plugs, so I changed the plugs and replaced the Valve cover gasket

since i had to take off the timing belt to get the water pump out I just decided to replace the belt, (car has 150,000 miles)

I put it all back together and now it wont start

The engine rotates but it just wont fire up, when I first start to crank it, it almost starts and then falls, and then it wont even do that again.

Should I check the compression?
What may have happened?

mack1

Hi FLCL-MX6 and welcome to TSF

Try using a can of spray starter fluid and see if it will start. If you happened to miss the timing chain by one tooth, it will run bad. There should have been marks on the chain and gear to keep the position straight. If you are sure the chain is on right, then the spray should start it.

If you have an Ohmmeter, check the resistance of the spark plug wires. Most specs call for less than 30,000 (30K) ohms of resistance. Normally, they will be around 3,000 ohms.

Be sure the spark plug gap is set right. In 1996 on S10 Blazers, they increased the gap to 60 thousands to make sure the lean mixture would ignite. If you need 60, but set them at 35 or 40, they won't work well or not at all. To check your spark, pull a plug or use a spare and lay it on the block and connect #1 sparkplug wire to it. Look for a strong blue spark when the engine turns over. Also pull a plug after trying to start and check to make sure the plug is not too wet with fuel.

I'm assuming the oil on 2, 4, and 6 plugs was on the outside of the plugs.

These are my ideas.
Hope it helps,
Mack1

FLCL-MX6

thank you very much for your relpy.

The thing i didnt understand is that on the new timing belt (on this vehicle its a belt not a chain) there were no marks on it. When I put it on it was a really tight fit even with the timing belt tensioner off.

Not really sure if its a tooth off or not, could be......but I really have no way of telling since the factory doesnt mark it to line it up with the marks on the cams.

not sure about the spark plugs, i assumed they were gapped from the factory..... hmm, something i will check...

also the oil was only on the threads of the spark plugs, and not on the contact points.

Thanks again

mack1

Hi FLCL-MX6,

If you don't have a maintenance manual for your car, I would suggest that you invest in one. You need to get the spark gap, ignition wire resistance, and the proceedure for replacing the timing belt. If it don't have marks, there probably is a proceedure to go by to get it right. I use a Haynes book and it is pretty good that I picked up at a local autoparts store. I don't know if they have a book on Mazda, but probably do. Seems like the book cost about $18. It don't take much wasted effort to equal $18.

Best regards,
Mack1

FLCL-MX6

ya i have a haynes manual.

I took it all back apart and found that my cams are a few teeth off.
I was told by a good friend that this happens sometimes when you release the hydrolic timing tensioner and its very common and must be corrected. this is exactly what happened and I did not notice, so now I know, hopefully I didnt bend my valves trying to start the car. Looks like ill find out soon enough. lol



I have found the haynes manual to be very helpful, but there are just some things you can only gain through experience.

mack1

Hi FLCL-MX6,

Glad you found the problem. Unless the belt was a long way off, the valves should be Ok.

Drop back by to see us and jump in with some help if you can. You can be our Mazda expert

Best regards,
Mack1

SABL

Hi FLCL-MX6,

Glad you figured out your timing issue!!

Mack and I generally reccomend the use of automotive manuals in many cases. Sure, lots of the info is pretty much "blah-blah-blah" for the mundane issues, but when it comes to tracing wiring problems (or in your caes, camshaft timing) the price of the manual is pretty cheap compared with mistakes and consequences that can happen.

A decent mechanic can get by on general knowledge but most often they rely on technical manuals due to the ever-changing auto industry. I'm sure you will get your money's worth out of your repair manual..... I think you already did by correcting the problem with the timing belt.

Stop on back and visit once in a while.
SABL

BUDFAN8

for future refrence if its DOHC in that car (pretty sure that one is same as some of the fords the mx6 and the probe are basicly the same car) the cams have a flat spot on them by the first lobe that needs to be on top of both. if done correctly both front lobes will face each other evenly.



Bud.