Won't start after timing belt replacement

[burlybryan]

Over the past few weeks I replaced a bunch of gaskets, all vacuum and breather hoses, checked tappet clearances, replaced coolant hoses, water pump, had the rad repaired. This weekend I replaced the cam, auxiliary and crank seals and the timing belt. Prior to replacing the belt I marked lines on all of the pulleys and correspondingly on the existing belt - and transferred the marks to the new belt. In removing and replacing the various pulleys none moved and after reassembly I turned the engine over by hand a bunch of times and there were no conflicts (plugs were in, so there was the typical compression resistance when turning it). The belt was kind of a bugger to get on considering the crummy tensioner mechanism, but everything tightened back up correctly and the belt was taught and could only twist the recommended 90º between exh cam and tensioner.

So, with everything back together I cross my fingers, put the key in the ignition and turn the key - and the engine makes a nasty "grrrr" screech like the starter is not fully engaged in the flywheel or something (I didn't mess with the starter). My imagination thinks it sounds like the crank pulley teeth skipping over the belt, but I don't see how this is possible. Can a weak battery result in the starter sounding like this? The car has sat for about a month and the batt is exactly 12 volts at rest.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I'm stumped.

Thanks.

Bryan

[vandor]

Sounds like a bad battery. 12 Volts is way too low. A good battery will have 12.6-12.7 Volts. Much below 12.2-12.3, and it won't even turn over.

[burlybryan]

Thanks. Thats what I was thinking (and hoping), but the appalling "bddddttt" sound freaked me out. With other cars I've always experienced a slow or no crank when the batt is dead or low. I'll throw my charger on it.

[burlybryan]

Ok - I panicked about the sound of the starter solenoid on a weak battery. I charged it overnight and after much cranking (through no help of my still yet unresolved cold start and fuel pressure issues) got it to turn over and fire. Purrs like a kitten and no valve tapping! During all of my gasket replacing, I discovered that the previous owner left half of the old exhaust manifold gasket on when he replaced the header which led to a massive leak and tons of tapping from the engine. Sounds like a new car now and zero leaks from all the hoses replaced and repaired radiator.

Thanks for the assistance.

Bryan

/spelling

[baltobernie]

Congrats on getting it sorted. Now what are you going to do for the rest of the Winter?

[burlybryan]

Excellent question! All suspension components were upgraded by the PO except the steering so I'm going to be doing the control arms, tie rods and all steering links. Then there's the electrical gremlins, heater bypass valve (I bypassed it for the time being) and the tired interior...

Fortunately, now that the car is reassembled I can drive it into my office warehouse space to work in a heated environment!

[baltobernie]

... I can drive it into my office warehouse space to work in a heated environment!

You lucky dog! No kerosene vapors or propane fumes. I'm so jealous

[burlybryan]

As of this morning she's snuggled in amongst my co-workers 12 motorcycles (4 run...). This will be my first winter not battling frost bite and propane fumes in my rickety garage and I'm pretty excited. Hoping to get lots done and since it's about 15 paces from my desk and won't be far from my mind.

[MrWampus]

As of this morning she's snuggled in amongst my co-workers 12 motorcycles (4 run...). This will be my first winter not battling frost bite and propane fumes in my rickety garage and I'm pretty excited. Hoping to get lots done and since it's about 15 paces from my desk and won't be far from my mind.

Wow, I temporarily live in a condo with no garage and I work on the 30th floor of a high-rise. No chance that I'll be able to have my car 15 paces from my desk. Of course, there are days all the way through the winter here where it is warm enough to drop the top so it's a good trade!

(I was recently looking on line at houses in various neighborhoods and I salivated over one house with a detached 3-car "Garage Mahal." I almost ran to the realtor's office and made offer just based on the garage! I maintained composure though because the rest of the house wasn't exactly what I need. I have time and patience though. The right place for both me and "The Mistress" will come along exactly when I need it.)