I am working on my 96 Sentra with a 1.6 liter engine. After changing the head gasket, I reinstalled the timing chain. I know that it is critical to have the chain timed to the cam and crank gears correctly. I even took pictures of the set up prior to breakdown and marked the chain and sprockets before removal. After putting the engine back together again, it failed to start. I have tried to do the logical things to see why the thing won't start (e.g., are there any electrical or vacuum connections that I forgot). After looking for quite some time, I determined that the problem has to be back with the timing chain.
Here are my questions:
1. When the engine is turned and returned to TDC, should the marks on the cam gears and chain return to their original positions? Mind did not return to their original positions. I am thinking that this is normal.... but I am not sure.
2. When I took the head out, several of the "caps" on the valve lifters fell out. I returned them to what I thought were their original positions. But I realize I may have made errors in where they were placed. Because of this, I checked the valve lash of all of the valves. All of them checked within specs except one exhaust valve. It read .022 inches; the specs show a maximum of .017 inches. How much of a problem with this excess in valve lash? Also, any suggestions on how I can get it back into specs?
Thanks for any assistance on this problem.
Here are my questions:
1. When the engine is turned and returned to TDC, should the marks on the cam gears and chain return to their original positions? Mind did not return to their original positions. I am thinking that this is normal.... but I am not sure.
2. When I took the head out, several of the "caps" on the valve lifters fell out. I returned them to what I thought were their original positions. But I realize I may have made errors in where they were placed. Because of this, I checked the valve lash of all of the valves. All of them checked within specs except one exhaust valve. It read .022 inches; the specs show a maximum of .017 inches. How much of a problem with this excess in valve lash? Also, any suggestions on how I can get it back into specs?
Thanks for any assistance on this problem.