Ok guys the gf tried to take the X out and now it wont start...

It was driving fine today, now it cranks and cranks but no catch.

I've got 162K, replaced the FSU at 130K so I don't think it's that.

Im wondering what you guys think It could be, or what should I start with first.

Starter, distributor, fuel filter..... Which one do you think is shot?????

If it cranks, I'd say your starter is ok. Check your distributor. If you're getting spark, it must be a lack of fuel. Check the FSU, it's still possible that it went bad, even though it was replaced not long ago.

Ya it's just too dark outside and im a few to many beers deep to be workin on the X right now, but I do have the FSU opened up and all the fuses are good.

Stu (S2X01) is going to come up tomorrow morning to help me figure it out...

Honestly I hope it's the FSU again, cause It's easy to replace.

Good luck. I hope it's something easy.

good luck man. Hate to see X's go down.

Probably distributor. Known problem on the 2000 year trucks.

Ok guys I have an update...

We looked at the distributor and it seems to be fine except that the rotor isn't spinning...

So we thought the timing belt broke so we pulled the front end apart to find that the timing belt is fine.

The FSU is working, fuses are good, does anyone have any ideas??????????????

So you're getting fuel, the starter is working and the t-belt is intact. The only thing I can think of that's left is whether or not you're actually getting spark.

right that's because the rotor in the distributor is not spinning. The camshaft gear looks fine and we can spin the rotor by hand so were officially stumped...

Did you see if the screw was still on the rotor?

you shouldn't be able to turn the rotor by hand if the distributor is engaging the cam gear. Sounds like you need a new dist.

I can spin the rotor by hand when the distributor is out of the housing (as in spinning it by hand by the gear) so the distributor rotor/shaft spins freely manually. But when I put the dist. back into the housing so its engaged with the camshaft it doesn't spin..... BTW the teeth are good on both the camshaft and the distributor.

So Im pretty sure the camshaft isn't seized, Im wondering if there is an electrical problem keeping the distributor from working?

Im lost........ Please Help

If the camshaft was seized and the timing belt is good, the engine would not be able to crank over when you try to start it. Perhaps your ignition coil is bad or has a loose connection?

turn it over and make sure the cam is spinning. This sounds really odd. I gotta think more about it and get back to you. If you need to call and pick my brain though let me know and I'll pm you my cell #.

Ya if the cam wasn't spinning then it wouldn't crank and the timing belt would be toast, right?

Is there any reason why something electrical would keep the rotor from spinning? Maybe a bad crankshaft sensor or no power?????

Try holding the rotor and spinning the gear on the dist. make sure that shaft hasn't worn out or broken.

Try holding the rotor and spinning the gear on the dist. make sure that shaft hasn't worn out or broken.

did that.... it's fine.

Sorry, I was working....

OK - This may sound a bit simplistic, but,

1. Did you try to jump start it?

SOMETIMES, the battery has enough juice to turn it over, but not catch...as sometimes the ECU and various solenoids, etc....need just a little more juice than they're getting to trip and make gas explode and pistons move that way, etc.

I'd give that cheap fix a shot first if you haven't done it yet.

:D


2. Check for spark - Pull the plug, ground it to the engine, and, as its nice and dark now....crank it and see if you're getting spark at the plug as the distributer should fire it as it goes around.

How old are the spark plugs/wires? - They do wear out. :D

Did you recently check the plugs or wires? Sometimes, a wire breaks inside a boot, at the plug, the rotor cap, at a stress point, etc....and sometimes screwing with them breaks stuff inside.

Sometimes a contact in a distributor cap can break too...with the same effect, etc.

Is the thing that locks the Distributor's shaft there/tight? (So it can't slip)

(I don't have a clear picture in my head of the spin/no spin scenario you were talking about...its been a long day...)


3. Check the fuel flow, if you pull the end off, and crank, does it spray gas when you crank it?

:D

Sorry, I was working....

OK - This may sound a bit simplistic, but,

1. Did you try to jump start it?

SOMETIMES, the battery has enough juice to turn it over, but not catch...as sometimes the ECU and various solenoids, etc....need just a little more juice than they're getting to trip and make gas explode and pistons move that way, etc.

I'd give that cheap fix a shot first if you haven't done it yet.

:D

OK....

I could try that I guess...

Ok guys I have an update...

We looked at the distributor and it seems to be fine except that the rotor isn't spinning...

So we thought the timing belt broke so we pulled the front end apart to find that the timing belt is fine.

The FSU is working, fuses are good, does anyone have any ideas??????????????

If the motor turns over and nothing is broken that drives the distributor gear then the rotor HAS to turn, period! If the rotor is NOT turning then somewhere starting at the distributor drive gear, going back from there has to be broke.

We did check for spark earlier today and we had no spark... Yes my plugs could be replaced but there not in that bad of condition..

So when we pulled the distributor cap off and tried to start it, the rotor doesn't spin... Therefore no spark to any plugs...

but....

When we pull the distributor out of the housing, we can rotate the rotor by hand and the distributor seems fine...

We've talked to Kevin (Alpine Spirit) and James (Soccerbrace) and both of them seem stumped... Im stumped...

Maybe it just needs a jump, but then again I feel like I have plenty of juice so I really don't know.

The fuel is fine...

Hmmm, that's a key piece of diagnostic info.

NO spark.

The jump can still be an answer...but now the double checking for a break/loss of continuity is looking likely.

BUT - If I'm getting what you are saying - the distributor is broken, as when installed, the mechanical parts should mesh and if the engine cranks, it HAS to turn, UNLESS its broken....inside.

You SHOULD be able to turn it by hand when its OUT, as there's no parts meshing with the engine...broken or not, relative to the type of break we're discussing.

So - Really, THAT's your bogey.

I tried to get a new distributor today but because of "holiday hours" I can't get one till Monday... Which of course is perfect timing for killing my weekend.

I'll try and jump it tomorrow, maybe it'll work. If not Im going to have to just get a new distributor and hope that works...

Bummmer..........

take the timing belt cover off again and try to turn it over... the teeth might have came off the belt and just allowing the crank to spin and not turning the cams... thats what happened to my X when the t-belt went out... it didnt actualy break the belt just sheared the teeth...

How much is the distributor?

take the timing belt cover off again and try to turn it over... the teeth might have came off the belt and just allowing the crank to spin and not turning the cams... thats what happened to my X when the t-belt went out... it didnt actualy break the belt just sheared the teeth...

We inspected the timing belt and the belt looks great, all the teeth are there, and the tension is right... but i'll look into that again.

How much is the distributor?

Cheapest I found was $280

^^ouch..

don't you have a scion steeze?

Then again, it might be that really freeky Avatar. :angst-big:

Then again, it might be that really freeky Avatar. :angst-big:

That's funny...I just asked him about that. It IS kinda creepy, isn't it?


And damn, man....$280 sucks. But, it beats a blown timing belt and bent valves.

I looked at it again this morning with my old man and we are totally stumped...

I took the distributor out but left it connected and turned the key to the on position. The distributor is getting power and when we turned the distributor gear by hand we got spark.. So im almost positive it's not the distributor.

But when I put the distributor back in the housing and try and start the X the rotor doesn't turn, which would mean the camshaft isn't turning.

But if the camshaft isn't turning wouldn't it not even crank?

Also if the camshaft isn't turning wouldn't the timing belt be trashed?

Well the X cranks but doesn't catch... It's the weirdest thing so it looks like Im going to have it towed to a shop on Monday...

Does anyone have any ideas?????

I don't have a 1st gen, so all I've been doing so far is speculating based on experience with other engines. When the dist. is removed from the engine, can you see the gearing on the camshaft that engages the drive gear on the dist? If so, take a look at it while someone tries to crank over the engine to see if it is indeed turning. The gear on the cam may be sheared or ground down so that it doesn't engage the gear on the dist., but I'd wager that if that was the case, the dist. gear would also be worn. I'm starting to run out of ideas, and I'd hate for you to have to pay a shop a bundle to find out it's something we all could have figured out if we thought about it long enough.

Thanks Jason

Ya the camshaft gear looks great and so does the distributor gear... They both look totally fine.

I'd really like to avoid a shop but I just can't figure this out...

Does the camshaft gear turn when you try to crank over the engine? It's still sounding like the dist. to me; as someone else pointed out earlier, it was a high failure part on the 2000 models.

Well if the camshaft gear wasn't turning the engine wouldn't crank and the timing belt would be shit, neither of which has happened....

And the distributor from what I can tell seems to be working.... that's why It's so confusing...

it could be that the shaft on the distributor is broken, when you spin it by hand your not moving it as fast as the motor will.

Meh, i dont really know.

I suppose I can get a new distributor and at least try it before I have it towed........

Such a fuckin bummer......

I suppose I can get a new distributor and at least try it before I have it towed........

Such a fuckin bummer......

I think I would do that. Even if it doesn't solve the issue, it:

1. removes the distributor from the list of potential problems.
2. gets you a new dist., which is not a bad idea considering your mileage.

I think TJ may have mentioned it too, but maybe you have a bad plug wire or two. I hope you get her back up and running soon. It bums me out that my favorite X is down.

This is going to sound stupid/obvious, but are you sure the engine is cranking and you're not just hearing the starter turn over? If the starter spun without spinning the crankshaft it would explain everything you've said.

This is going to sound stupid/obvious, but are you sure the engine is cranking and you're not just hearing the starter turn over? If the starter spun without spinning the crankshaft it would explain everything you've said.

If the starter was spinning without engaging the flywheel/flexplate, it would sound like an air ratchet instead of an engine turning over.

Found a distributor on Ebay for a less than the one you found. It may take a little longer to get, but it's about $100 cheaper.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-2002-Nissan-Quest-Xterra-3-3-V6-NEW-Distributor_W0QQitemZ390063943943QQcmdZViewItemQQp tZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item5ad1 9f7107&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A12|39%3A1|72%3A1171

I actually just ruled out the distributor.... Which means my camshaft is probably not spinning.

Im going to try and hand crank the engine and have my girlfriend look in the distributor housing with a flashlight and see if the cam is moving.

Or I can have her start the X and I'll look down and see for myself... but if I do that my timing's fucked and I pretty much have no choice but to have it towed.

Ok I just confirmed the camshaft is not spinning.

Now what?

Timing sprocket stripped from camshaft end?

Maybe....

It's still going to be a lot of work and instead of having a shop screw me, Im thinking about swapping in a new engine... well an engine with 200K on it but it buys me time and i'll have my current engine to work on and rebuild.... not to mention I'll have a spare engine.

It's just an idea, but If I can get the engine cheap enough and swap it out at my boss's garage with some friends it might end up cheaper... Considering Im probably looking at a $1000 shop bill at the least.

There is a little nub that is on the end of the camshaft that goes into a hole on the sprocket to keep it from spinning. Is that broke? I know a guy on another site a while back that the nub was broken off the camshaft.

http://members.cox.net/dezurtratz/Xterra/Timing_Belt/RH_OLD_CAM_Seal.JPG

I'll look into that this week, I plan on taking shit apart this week to see If I can fix whatever it is...

Thanks

Damn...all those pages of you saying the cam was fine.

ow



Starting over, sigh.

Well, as all the checks to see if things were ok said they were ok, until they weren't.....I guess its hard to diagnose some mechanical problems by remote control...

...probably why they have all those mechanic's shops, meters, etc.

:D

Well, maybe don't do anything...just let a live person get his hands in there and do it right.

Get an estimate, and if its something you'd do your self, take it back and do it....or have them do it - etc.

Fixing things on speculation at this point seems a bit, well, speculative.

:D

I don't even get how the engine can crank (If cranking means the crank is turning) if the crank won't turn...?

Ok so I got a little more diagnosing done....

The engine cranks, the fan spins, but the timing belt is not moving.... So tomorrow, possibly with the help of James were going to look at the timing belt tensioner. I had my boss start the X while I kept an eye on the timing belt and it looks like the crankshaft pulley is skipping teeth on the belt.

I don't know how the timing belt tension should feel, but right now if I put my finger on the belt between the two cams I can move the belt up and down about an inch... Which I would think that's too loose...

So.... I guess that's where Im at....

BTW here's some pics of my boss's garage and his 77' Porsche 944....

Believe it or not this was his DD in college (the mod bug hit hard)... there's a ton of custom work that went into this thing, custom cage, custom parts, alot of custom shit.... well over $100K into it......

If you think modding your X is expensive, it's nothing compared to vintage Porsche racing....

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/8585/p7070008.jpg (http://img396.imageshack.us/i/p7070008.jpg/)

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/8771/p7070005t.jpg (http://img191.imageshack.us/i/p7070005t.jpg/)

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/7064/p7070006.jpg (http://img35.imageshack.us/i/p7070006.jpg/)

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/504/p7070007v.jpg (http://img200.imageshack.us/i/p7070007v.jpg/)

He's re-building the top end in preparation for a race in August... Which is why the engine is sitting on the floor...

So thanks to James and Stu after a good 8 hours we got my X running... The teeth on the t-belt stripped out at the crankshaft. We replaced the belt, water pump, and spark plugs, it took us a bit to figure out the distributor timing and whatnot but we finally got it going...

Thanks guys!

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7793/p7110002g.jpg (http://img9.imageshack.us/i/p7110002g.jpg/)

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8656/p7110003.jpg (http://img339.imageshack.us/i/p7110003.jpg/)

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/7443/p7110006r.jpg (http://img196.imageshack.us/i/p7110006r.jpg/)

and the X on a tow truck pic...

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/3715/p7060001.jpg (http://img91.imageshack.us/i/p7060001.jpg/)

and see i mentioned that that could be the problem.. LOL cause that is the same thing that happened to mine...

I was like.....YO! Suck it dawg!

damn, james t-baggin your engine

Glad to hear its running again!

Nice pose James lol

Glad you got it running. I guess you didn't get any valve damage. That was pretty lucky.