K,,,
i just picked up this car its a 90 sunbird gt 2.0 ohc and it wont start....it almost wants to but sounds like fireing on 2 cyl or somting.... looks like someone had the timeing cover off to cheack the marks and i assume there fine (but i will look for sure again) I assume maybe this is a head gasket problem or a ign problem. I dont see any sludg in the oil so i dont know for sure about the head gasket??? how can i test to see whats the matter???
whats ususlly the case with these old cars

also does anyone know if i can swap a 2.0 non ohc engine in instead of the 2.0 ohc one),,,,, i can get a free running 89 2.0 (non ovc engine) will everything hook up fine??? is it too much hassle???

Ok well with out checking all the probabilities like is it getting fuel,or a clogged fuel filter etc.I would think if it's turning over,and over but no fire the first thing u should replace is the ignition module.It is inside the distributor cap and has a 2 plug and 4 plug harness that plugs into it.Advance auto sells this part it's a GP sorenson part #EL123 for $24.94 or if u want the AC DELCO it's 64.94 part #D1964A, go cheap with the first one.If u had a blown head ur antifreeze would be low in the resevoir/radiator and the oil would look milky.Sounds like the prev owner had no clue why it would not start and yes the timing would affect it but,so does the ignition module and or coil.Try my recomm it should fire right up and run unless they timed it 180* out of timing(Idiots) and just post ur finds or corrections.OK we will go from that.

Fuel, spark, or mechanical.

Check to see if you have spark and fuel. If so do a compression test.

yeah compression test should be your first move to eliminate or confirm a blown head gasket

ok but does anyone know (say i find a blown head gasket and cracked head or block)

Kan i swap out that 2.0l ohc and put in an 89 2.0 (non ohc) engine in without too much hassle???

oh and forgot whats a good way to test for fire on each cly wire??

hold the wire while the engine is turning. You'll know for sure witch one got fire

and No for swapping the 2.0OHV. If it was easy, why not go with a 92-93 2.2 OHV, they are the same engine.



Gilles
2.3 Ho

92 had a 2.2? i had a 92 but it was a 2.0

you can check spark with a spark tester, cheap tool at any parts store

hey also if u need, i have an intake from a 92 bird 2.0, and if u end up wanting to convert to coil pack ignition, i have the coil packs

The 2.0L he's talking about is the OHV. The stock one is the OHC but the beretta had a 2.0L and 2.2 Ohv(same one the cavy have). They are the same engine but the 92-93 2.2 had 110-120hp.



Gilles
2.3 Ho

Does the car just turn over and over and no start?If its turning over repeatively it's probably the ignition module as I stated in the previous post with part #sss.If there is no spark it would be bc of the ign module being BAD.I find it hard to believe the head gasket is bad if the oil or anitfreeze is not discolored which is the end result.The car not starting up or turning over and over would indicate this if the oil,antifreeze is ok in condition and the ign mod is bad and the timing may need to be adjusted once replaced based on ur first post.Just state what the car is exactly doing not is my head gasket shot,sounds more like a ignition issue to me.If i am dead wrong ok then but,I start at the simple stuff and work from there.

i understand.....

all i was doing was looking for a good place to start...Im not going to be fixing this thing like tomorrow....it will be in a month or more. Right now i have no garage and i live where theres lots of snow so going out to fiddle with it isnt an option.

Heres what i know for sure....it must be fireing on a few cyl atleast if not all as its almost wants to start. I smeels like its getting gas but maybe the fuel pump is working very porly...(i havent tryed the gas in the engine yet)
I know i should cheack for spark and fuel but whats the quick tricks to do this without buying any more tools. I dont have a spark tester and dont even know what one would look like....1st chance i get ill take the plug out gound it off and see if it sparks....

q. If a coil pack or whatever goes what usually happens no spark on some or all cyls?? Or low spark??

q. Now i dont understand everyone talking about a 92 2.2 engine??? I thought I said i had a 2.0l ohv engine but i was wondering if i could swap in a plain (valve cover) 2.0 (non ohv i asume as it doesnt say it on the engine) 89 cavi engine as i can get a great running one for free IF I need one!!! Is that a posibility?? and thanks but no thanks im not ganna put in a 2.2l

q. if its not getting fuel besides the pump what else could it be??

The guy who i got the car off "thought" the head gasket blew i dont know but like i said the oil is fine!! And it looks like he took the timeing cover off to check the timing.

q. How hard is it to find the marks to see if its jumped??? Is easy easy to see from under or ontop of the engine or is there inner fender removal or something envoled to see em good??

I would start simple like a new fuel filter,maybe some new spark plug wires.IF after doing this u should do a psi check for fuel pressure to make sure the fuel pressure is up to spec should be 9-13 psi for a 2.0 eng.I would not rule out the ignition module being bad as I posted above this causes a NO start situation or runnin on less than 4cyldrs.As for the valve cover change I do not know that it would fit bc of changes in the head.IF u do not need a new valve cover let it be.To check the timing u need to look at the sticker under the hood which tells what the timing should be set at.Each yr model has specific info the sticker will have catalyst printed on it with ur timing and what degree before top dead center it should be at with a timing light.I would do the simple things above first filter,wires ign module then worry about doing a psi check,timing chk after that if it does not improve or correct the issue.OK