OK. Our old Previa (265K miles) won't start. It had been running rough when I went through a puddle for a while so I knew that the distributor cap needed to be replaced (Previa engines are under the chassis). It was started to get hard to start a few weeks ago which led me to think that I needed to replaced the distributor, rotor button, plug wires and plugs. When trying to start it, it would, for lack of a better word, clunk hard like the motor was shaking and then start. But, before I could get to it, it quit starting all together. So I changed out the rotor button, distributor cap, plug wires and plugs. Still no start. I double and triple checked the plug wires to make sure they are all going to the correct plug. I can pull the plugs and smell gas on them so I know it is getting fuel. I know I am getting spark. Still, no joy.
Yesterday, when I tried once again to start it, the air hose blew off airbox with a small amount of force. ( I also added some water remover to the gas.)
So, this leaves me with two ideas about why the engine is not starting (although I am sure there are more I don't know about). I am wondering if either the coil is delivering too weak of a spark to actually fire the cylinder or if timing chain has jumped thus throwing off the timing? The age of the motor makes either seem plausible. Is it possible for a coil to work but not work enough? My only experience with them so far has been that they either work fine or not at all. If it is the timing, then I am going to junk it because at 265K, I have no interest in fixing something that involved. I would just buy a new coil, but they are kind of expensive and after spending over $75 already, I am not anxious to spend another $70 to find out that it is the timing chain.
Anybody have any ideas on this?
Thanks,
Andy
Yesterday, when I tried once again to start it, the air hose blew off airbox with a small amount of force. ( I also added some water remover to the gas.)
So, this leaves me with two ideas about why the engine is not starting (although I am sure there are more I don't know about). I am wondering if either the coil is delivering too weak of a spark to actually fire the cylinder or if timing chain has jumped thus throwing off the timing? The age of the motor makes either seem plausible. Is it possible for a coil to work but not work enough? My only experience with them so far has been that they either work fine or not at all. If it is the timing, then I am going to junk it because at 265K, I have no interest in fixing something that involved. I would just buy a new coil, but they are kind of expensive and after spending over $75 already, I am not anxious to spend another $70 to find out that it is the timing chain.
Anybody have any ideas on this?
Thanks,
Andy