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Chevrolet Express
Platform: GMT Van

Express 1997 crank no start

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Old Mar 2, 2025 | 10:48 AM
  #1  
nazqul's Avatar
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From: belgium
Default Express 1997 crank no start

i have a chevy express 305 vortec from 1997 that crank but doesnt start.
I am out of ideas where to search.
the second problem is that i am from belgium so al the parts needed needs to be ordered thru rockauto or amazon

what i did is following :
  • new head gaskets
  • refurbishment of the heads
  • new timing chain
  • new bolts, gaskets and al the hardware that is needed.
The problem is that the engine cranks but does not start.
i checked everything double , timingchain, timing of the distributor etc
The spark is i think weak ( orange )
fuel pump is working. the fuel comes to the spider injectors but no fuel is coming out. ( no pulse ?? )
crankshaft sensor works but a new one is coming to be sure
the car doesnt react on spraying brake cleaner in the intake
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Old Mar 3, 2025 | 1:26 PM
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i am a little bit further.
i decided to start testing with the fuel system.
because the van is dual fuel ( propane is cheaper in belgium ) there is switch build in to chose which fuel i want.
that way i can run the pump continuous
i connected a fuel pressure gauche to the fuel line and that stayed on 0
when i was testing this i am hearing fuel splashing in the tank. thats weird because the fuel return line wasn't connected.

i thought f**ck, now i need to dismount the tank here on my driveway.
so i did
and my suspicions were correct. the inline tube was broken :/

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Old Mar 4, 2025 | 11:31 AM
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today i repaired the fuel pump.
now i have back the full 65 psi.

The van want to start but doesn't
tomorrow i gonna check the distributor timing
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Old Mar 5, 2025 | 11:58 AM
  #4  
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now i dont now it anymore.
the van is still not starting.
it's just like the timing is complet offset

Anybody having tips for me
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Old Mar 6, 2025 | 4:02 AM
  #5  
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the final update

setting the timing right like noted in the 1998_GMT-98_CK-3_SERVICE_MANUAL-VOLUME_3_of_4.pdf did the job.
The van fired right up and is spinning like a new one
Me happy
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Old Mar 6, 2025 | 7:28 AM
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From: Huntsville, AL
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Glad to hear you got it figured out!
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