mpbowyer

I ruined the engine in my 2004 TL 6MT. Had a spark plug get loose and scored the inside of the cylinder wall with ceramic bits.

I bought a 2006 engine with less miles, pulled the old, did a clutch, timing belt, tensioner, water pump on the "new" engine.

Everything seemed to swap over fine, engine is now in car and full of fluids.

Key on, CEL goes on for a while, then flashes 5 times and goes out.

Engine cranks fine and sounds good but does not start. There is a whisper of a firing sound, then just cranky cranky.

No codes in the ECU (original 04 ECU).

Fuel pump is priming like normal

All sensors are plugged in, I don't think I missed any grounds. I used the long block of the 2006, all sensors in the block, and the fuel rails from the 06. Otherwise, it is all original to the car.

I'm reading about differences but can't find out anything concrete to say I have to swap to my old cam or crank angle sensor from the 04.

Any ideas? Throttle body actuates like normal, strong spark if I pull a plug, plug is wet with fuel, puffs from cylinders with removed plugs smell like gas. Gas is about a month old. Battery is cranking it fast.

mpbowyer

Just unplugged the crank position sensor (wide plug under pulley side of rear head), and tried starting it. No go. After I plugged it back in and re-tried, it ALMOST started. I had maybe 1/2 second of running before I heard it cakrankcakrank ing again.

I'm so close.

mpbowyer

I feel like I'm getting a little closer. I had it stumble much more, but never more than probably 2 revolutions. Swapped the battery from my civic and cranky cranky... I'm wondering if the fuel in the rails was just very bad or the injectors got varnished and aren't putting enough fuel in?

It won't fire on starter fluid, so not sure what that means.

If I try to start it after waiting 5-10 minutes it stumbles right away when I'd expect it to start, then won't even react or stumble if I try right away again.

I am going to try swapping out fuel rails and injectors tomorrow. Mine were fine on the old engine. Too bad the TB has coolant in it, what a PITA.

I'M GETTING CLOSE

WDPanda

Regarding the CEL being on then flashing 5 times, that's because the computer has been reset and the readiness monitors haven't been completed yet.

mpbowyer

OK, headed back to it. I'm ready to swap fuel rails if it doesn't start right up.

I really don't want to punt and take it to a shop Monday.

Thanks for the info about the flashing CEL. Should I be doing something differently?

mpbowyer

I checked timing, confirming that the second (white) timing mark on the outside of the harmonic balancer lines up with the black plastic arrow on the lower timing cover, then popping the plugs on the upper timing covers I see marks lined up perfectly on both cams and timing covers. Good there.

I swapped fuel rails to the original ones to the car thinking maybe I had some gunk stuck in them from however long that engine sat with them pointing down and the rail inlets exposed.

Now it stumbles much more, especially on the first try. I'd say it gets 2-3 revolutions before it quits.

Ideas?

nfnsquared

Post in the performance section, you might get a better response over there.

mpbowyer

still nothing. did compression check, all came in at 180-190. with all plugs out I'm not getting spark if I just put one in a coil pack and ground the plug. not sure what's going on there

fuel pump fuse is out

mpbowyer

fuel pump fuse back in, it stutters to start only if I've removed the key and let the fuel pump re-prime. good spark if I pull a plug and ground it with the fuel pump fuse in.

Still nothing

mpbowyer

I'm punting.

changed the crank position sensor in case there was a change from 2004 to 2006, no dice. MAN it's easier to take the timing covers off when the engine is on a stand!

Same sad story. I'm thinking I'm missing a sensor ground or something. Its tough because I've re-checked timing, I have spark, I have fuel, I'm getting a little ignition, I have 190psi in all 6 cylinders.

WHAT THE EFF

nfnsquared

Dude, post this over in the performance section. There's a lot of smart dudes that hang out over there who may be able to help you. I'm wondering if it's an ECU issue?