Just finished a head gasket and all other upper gaskets and seals, front cover gasket, timing chain and gears, water pump, oil pan gasket, new spark plugs, wires, coil packs, belt, all new pulleys and tensioner job on my '03 DII. Also, replaced my battery.

I'm having trouble getting the engine to start. The truck was running fine before All my wiring is reconnected, with all sensors plugged back in, and fuel line is reconnected. I did have to drain the fuel rail when replacing the O-rings on the injectors. Starter is working fine. I've primed the oil with the fuel fuse out, replaced the fuse and followed the steps to re-prime the fuel system with turning the key back and forth multiple times without starting to help build the fuel pressure. I've then tried starting the truck for 10-15 seconds at a time, with 5 minutes or more to let the starter cool down in between attempts.

I've gone through that process at least 8 times and the truck is still not starting. Tank is half full, so I know that there's gas in the vehicle. I've re-checked all my spark plug wires to make sure they're on properly as well.

Any other tricks that I don't know about? Should I just keep doing the prime and start process? I'm just concerned about burning out the starter, but I'm not sure what else to do? I've watched every clip I can find on YouTube, including the Atlantic British videos and know that the process to get the truck going does take multiple attempts. I'm just wondering if there's something else to try, or if anyone has feedback on how many times they had to go through the process themselves before their first fire-up after doing similar work?

Thanks in advance.

 

Did you check your crankshaft position sensor (cps)?

 

Yes - I did check the connection to make sure the plug was 100% re-connected.

 

First off... the engine doesn't start at all or the engine turns over but doesn't run?
When I did my top end rebuild I primed the fuel rack with my Nanocom and then stuck a screw driver in the shraeder valve to release the air in the system. Have a rag ready to catch all the 50+PSI fuel spewing out.
Also... do you have SAI system installed? Make sure all the vacuum lines are connected to the correct solenoids along with electric connectors.
Check your fuses in the engine bay aren't blown and the relays are fully inserted.
*Make sure both coil pack connectors are inserted and secured.

 

Thanks for the thought about the valve release. I did think about that one and good to hear that it might be a step to try.

I do have SAI and re-checked the vacuum lines and sensor connectors.

Unfortunately, I don't have a Nanocom, or other scanner to prime the rail - hence trying to use the turn the key trick.

Does anyone have any feedback on how may times it might take for the initial start? Did it take anyone more than 6-8 tries?

 

Forgot - the engine does not turn over. It seems like it's not getting fuel, so it's not turning over at all. With the coil packs, spark plugs and wires all being new and 100% connected, I'm pretty sure there's spark. Will pull a plug and check that tonight/tomorrow if I still can't get it started.

 

Low voltage Battery? Battery connections loose or corroded? Blown fuses?

 

Brand new battery with tight, clean connections (and no electrical power issues), and checked all the fuses without finding any issues. I'm scratching my head on this one and keep thinking it's something having to do with gas not filling, or getting into the fuel rail/injectors properly. The gas line is connected without any issues, but I did not try releasing the pressure from the Schrader fitting on the fuel rail. Not sure if built up pressure in the rail could be causing an issue to get fuel through the injectors and into the engine?

 

you are confusing people

engine turning over = tries to start you can hear the engine trying to start

engine not turning over = turn key nothing happens


you have to check the wiring to your starter if the engine is not turning over

if it’s turning over see if you have fuel at shsrader valve on intake manifold
check all wiring sensors etc. It’s something you did

 

Did you press the inertia fuel cut-off switch on the firewall to reset it?