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transmen, ASE Certified Technician
Category: Mercury
Positive Feedback: 100 %
Satisfied Customers: 3811
Experience: ase master certify tech, and fa tory train.
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1998 Mercury Mountaineer: There is spark and gas at the rail.

Customer Question

I have a 1998 Mercury Mountaineer with 4.0 SOHC. Engine turn over but will not start. There is spark and gas at the rail. I sprayed starter fluid in the throttle body but still will not start.

Submitted: 1 year ago.
Category: Mercury
Expert:  transmen replied 1 year ago.


transmen :

Hi, are you shure all the plugs are firing? does it make an attempt to start when cranking the engine?

Customer :

No it does not attempt to crank. I got the engine from a Ford Explorer. I replaced the Chain Cassette. I took the engine to the Ford Dealer and they timed it, since I did not have the tools to set the timing. I'm not sure that I need to get the PCM from the Ford.

transmen :

ok, did it start after they timed the engine?

Customer :

No, I took the engine to them. It was not in the vehicle. I just finishing putting the engine in my vehicle.

transmen :

ok, is there spark in at least 3 plugs?

Customer :

I have spark at all six plugs.

transmen :

ok, if you have spark and fuel then we are looking at somenthing mechanicly out of synch. and this can not be the pcm computer because you have spark and fuel. do you have a compression tester?

Customer :

Yes

transmen :

can you do a compression test one 3 cylinders and let me know what they are?

Customer :

Yes, I will do compression on all cylinders tomorrow. I will let you know. Good night.

transmen :

ok, good night.

Customer :

IHere's the result of the compression test: #1 Cyl - 120, #2 Cyl - 100 lbs., #3 Cly - 140 lbs., #4 Cly - 122 lbs., #5 Cyl - 120 lbs, #6 Cyl - 122 lbs.

transmen :

HI WITH THIS COMPRESION READINGS YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO START THIS ENGINE . DID YOU DO THIS TEST WITH THE GAS THROTTLE WIDE OPEN OR CLOSE?

transmen :

PRESURE SHOULD BE BETWEEN 160 AND 190 PSI WITH THE THROTTLE OPEN.

transmen :

at this point either the timing chain is not install correct or the engine has low compression do to piston rings seazed.

Customer :

As I said, I took the engine to the dealer to do the timing after I replaced the chain cassettes. I had the throttle fully open. As you know, you need special tools to time this engine, since it is a SOHC. Even if the compression is low, should it atempt to start?

transmen :

this compression reading tells me the timing chain was install wrong and this will offset the cam and cranck sensor, the engine will have spark and fuel injection but at the wrong time on the cylinder thats why the engine will not even attempt to start, is not like the ones with distribuitor wear you can move the distribuitor left and right and get the engine to start even with low compresion.

transmen :

sorry but you need to remove the chain and rest it properly.

Customer :

Can your set the timimg without all those special tools which cost approximately $130.00?

transmen :

you dont have to by this tools you can rent them at NAPA auto parts store for 25$ per day.

transmen :

this are the tools you will need.

Full Size Image

transmen :

if the dealer put this time together for you before why dont you make them responsable and have them fix it for you, this is not your foult is theirs.

Customer :

I did not know that NAPA rented tools. I will check tomorrow. The mechanic and I had a disagreement on the price. I'm not sure if I can get any positive resolutions. I took the engine to them. Now I have to pull the engine out and take it to them again. As you know, it's a lot of work.

transmen :

ok, i understand, sorry this happen, you should have no problems renting the tools from NAPA auto parts .

Customer :

Thanks for all your help. If I need you in the future, I will ask for you!

transmen, ASE Certified Technician
Category: Mercury
Positive Feedback: 100 %
Satisfied Customers: 3811
Experience: ase master certify tech, and fa tory train.
transmen and 3 other Mercury Specialists are ready to help you
Customer: replied 1 year ago.

I finally got the timing tools. However, I'm having problem understanding the position of the Camshaft Positioning Holding Tool. If available, contact me ASAP!!!

Expert:  transmen replied 1 year ago.

let me see if i can find something to send you give me about 25 minutes.

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