Cavalier Starting in the 1980s. the Cavalier made a name for itself by offering an affordable 2 and 4 door compact.
Platform: J-body

1998 Cavalier cranks but doesn't start.

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Old May 19, 2014 | 8:24 AM
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Tested fuel pressure and it is ok.

dry compression test- 35, 32, 30, 40 I have read they should be within 15%, I have also seen within 20 psi.

Coil packs are good. Going to take ICM to auto-parts store and have them test.
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Old May 19, 2014 | 7:09 PM
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40 PSI is extremely low. Technical Articles at Greg's Engine & Machine
Edit: Back to camshaft timing.

Last edited by Segfault; May 19, 2014 at 7:13 PM.
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Old May 20, 2014 | 6:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Segfault
40 PSI is extremely low. Technical Articles at Greg's Engine & Machine
Edit: Back to camshaft timing.
I don't think I cranked the engine long enough i did it for 3-5 secs, friend told me to do it for 10 secs. Plus I crank it myself didn't have a helper. Next time I will use a screwdriver to short starter to solenoid so I can watch gauge. Or I was going to rig up a switch since I can't find my old one.

I had the ICM tested and it is bad, so I found a new one on ebay for $50 vs paying $150-$230 at my area auto part stores.
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Old May 20, 2014 | 7:10 AM
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you should have more than 40psi on the first hit. remove the front cover and check the timing marks. Your timing chain probably jumped. The noise you heard most likely was loose/broken chain guides

Last edited by tech2; May 20, 2014 at 7:13 AM.
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Old May 20, 2014 | 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by tech2
you should have more than 40psi on the first hit. remove the front cover and check the timing marks. Your timing chain probably jumped. The noise you heard most likely was loose/broken chain guides
I'm going to redo test- I didn't disable fuel pump and ignition, didn't remove all spark plugs, can't warm the engine because of no start, plus I need to let it run through 6 strokes.
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Old May 20, 2014 | 7:24 PM
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and keep the throttle wide open when doing compression tests. take note of the compression pressure on the first hit and then final.
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Old May 22, 2014 | 9:27 PM
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Got the new ICM from ebay and still no start. So taking the old and new IcM to a couple of different auto parts stores and have them test.

Compression test- Did everything suggested and readings-

20(1st)/40(last) 20/40 20/40 20/50

Why would the compression be that low across the board?- it doesn't burn that much oil at all, as much as can be expected from 211k miles on it
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Old May 22, 2014 | 9:29 PM
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Originally Posted by tech2
you should have more than 40psi on the first hit. remove the front cover and check the timing marks. Your timing chain probably jumped. The noise you heard most likely was loose/broken chain guides


this^
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Old May 23, 2014 | 6:37 PM
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And look at the bright side, no bent valves.
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Old May 24, 2014 | 9:30 PM
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Ok, you right guys, tensioner went bad and its out of time. I have heard that its best to replace the tensioner as well as the timing chain set. Is this a good idea. Now its has 211k mi on the engine, so is it better to just replace the tensioner? No idea if this is the original factory timing chain set or not.
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