2009 JCW
While positioning my intake valves for walnut blasting, I probably rotated the engine backwards. Is this a problem? Did I screw up my valve timing? Engine won't start. Spins over OK but won't fire. I posted over at Stock Problems/Issues but no response....What happened to all of our Gurus?

 

Spinning backwards manually shouldn't cause an issue. The timing chain was still hooked up correct? If you disconnected the timing chain and didn't get it back correctly that can cause an issue.

 

That's good news. Timing chain was intact. While troubleshooting my starting problem, I stumbled across a forum post that suggested that turning the engine backwards would relax the tensioner and let the chain skip. Thanks

 

Yea that does sound possible. Guess you will want to check the timing and make sure it's all good.

 

When I did my walnut blasting I simply put the car into gear and pushed it forwards or backwards till the valves were closed (tested by blowing into the spark plug holes). After I finished the blasting I had to try to start my car probably 10 times before it actually turned over. It didn't just fire right up. If rotating the engine backwards causes a problem I think it would have been the same thing with me pushing the car backwards while in 2nd gear.

 

Sounds like you forgot to plug something back in. Rotating the engine backwards by hand likely wouldn't have done anything to mess with the timing.

 

Yep, same for me. I've blasted the intake twice on Tigger and each time he was hesitant to start right after. Scared me first time as I was thinking "Oh crap was one of my valves a little open. Do I have a cylinder full of left over squirrel chow?" But all was well. Hope it's the same in your case.

 

In my case when I rotated the engine backwards. I heard a loud click and a gurgling sound. From my experience I knew exactly what happened and went strait to the timing. The gurgling sound was the hydraulic chain tensioner returning after pushing all the oil out. The clicking sound was the chain jumping. If this is what happened to your machine you will have to retime the engine. I happened to have a timing kit that has the locator pin for the crank and the blocks for the cams. These are for sale on eBay for $86.99. To check timing you will need to remove the valve cover and locate the crank at the timing position. These engines do not time on time on TDC on the first cylinder. They are timed in the middle of the piston stroke. To do the timing properly you will need the timing kit. Once everything is located you can remove the timing tensioner in the back passenger side of the engine and the upper chain guide then move the chain on the cam sprockets. There are other write ups on timing your engine that are far clearer than mine. If I remember correctly I think I consulted my Bentley manual for the procedure. Good luck.

 

Thank you gentlemen! I have checked (and re-checked) all connections. I have good spark but apparently no fuel. Would you expect that I might at least get a sputter if the cam timing had jumped? The engine spins freely ...no sign of valve/piston contact, so I don't think it can be too far off. I'll check fuses in the fuel circuits first, before I pull the valve cover. Will it be obvious if the tensioner has backed off...or... how can I tell, just by looking, if the timing is off?? I have the Bentley manual but it doesn't seem to show how to just check the timing. I HAVE cleaned the valves before, with no problems. I will soldier on in order to (hopefully) avoid the Tow of Shame.

 

Well...She finally started and all is well. I checked the valve timing...OK. I had actually made an appt. with a local shop but kept trying to start her a couple of times a day until time for the "Tow of Shame". Every time I tried, she would sputter a little more than last time; then she fired up like nothing had ever been wrong. Woo Hoo!

 

Glad to hear it started back up. I had to try probably 10-15 times before mine fired back up.

 

Yaaay! You don't have to be 'that' guy that has to bring in their car b/c they did something they can't fix.

 

Which way did you rotate the bolt? Looking at the bolt did it turn clockwise or counter clockwise?

 

Honestly.....I don't know. I had been turning the crank clockwise, per the Bentley manual, but then I had a buddy help me... i didn't tell him which way to turn the crank and he didn't remember which way he turned it. That's why I was concerned. Apparently, from posts in THIS thread, turning counterclockwise CAN be a problem. Still don't know why it took about 20 attempts, over three days, to finally start?? Runs great now.