Won't start after chain replacement

[curley]

Have a 4.0 97 XLT which I have just put back together after replacing timing chains and guides (section of one guide broke off and did some damage). Everything went back together fine, problem is engine wont fire. First couple of attempts, engine would run for 5 seconds with a rattle then shut down. Engine won't fire but turns over fine. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JDraper]

Check a couple of things. First, did you get the sprockets properly aligned between the cam and the crank?? If not, your valve timing is off and it definitely won't start. Second, did you check your fuel reset button??

BTW, that problem may have been covered by a recall. There is a major recall on cam tensioner problems on the X.

 

[dbarale]

It's a question, not an explanation. Would the computer need to be reset after messing with the timing?

 

[curley]

Took great care, and so believe alignment is ok.

Where is the fuel reset button?

I'm in Australia, I'll check with Ford but probably don't have much hope now that the work is done.
Thanks

 

[JDraper]

Well, if you disconnected the battery when you did the rebuild, that will reset the computer. If, for some odd reason you didn't disconnect the battery (BAD IDEA), you wouldn't need to reset it anyways. A computer reset just sets the timing, air/fuel ratio, shift points, etc. back to factory specs.

Another thought, did you reconnect the crank timing trigger?? Not having that connected, or in the wrong position would also cause the motor not to fire.

 

[JDraper]

Originally posted by curley
Took great care, and so believe alignment is ok.

Where is the fuel reset button?

I'm in Australia, I'll check with Ford but probably don't have much hope now that the work is done.
Thanks

Fuel reset button is inside the cab on the passenger's side of the tranny tunnel up on the firewall under the carpet.

 

[KEbert]

When I did my timing chain I never had any trouble with the fuel reset. It is pretty hard to get the timing off too. Really the only way is to have the crank or com move when the chain is off. The only thing I can think of is the sensor for the crank pulley. But if that was off the engine wouldn't try to start.

 

[curley]

crank angle sensor seems to be common response. Will look at that as soon as I get home.
Presumably it could have been loose (hence initial start and then stop) and now could have come off resulting in no fire at all????
Thanks for your replies