I own an Acura TL 2000 3.2lt. I stored it 2 months ago and tried to start it today with no success. NO codes,no key flashing turns over with a "kick" every now and then and smell of gas near intake. I'm thinking? The timing belt has jumped,"not broken"?
The belt is due for a change and I've ordered the Gates kit TCKWP286. Could there be any other issue other then "the belt?


Thanks Craig.

 

did you fully charge the battery or just expect the car to start?

 

if the timing belt was so bad it jumped a tooth-
by trying to crank the engine you have damaged it beyond reasonable repair cost-
exhaust valves have been bent by contact with rising piston

lets hope its a battery issue!
No GREEN key symbol on dash when trying to start?

 

not a battery issue and No green key.

 

Come to think of it, I disconnected the Neg. cable only when I stored it, but she turn over very strong.

 

Try some throttle body cleaner/stating fluid to help it run.

 

no green key means the immobilizer is not recognizing the key and allowing it to start

 

Given that our engine is an interference head with essentially zero clearance between the valve and piston at TDC (the piston heads have slots in them to account for the valves, there is so little clearance), if you jump a tooth then you're going to toast your engine.

 

You might want take all the plugs out and hand crank it to see if anything is hitting first before do a compression test to see if the engine is damage or not, then go from there.

 

I think we are way past hand turning engine for safety~
remove the inspection cover for tbelt and see if its even there!
How many miles on tbelt and tensioners that you think it may have jumped a tooth?

pull plugs to look for damage or evidence of fouling- wet with fuel = no spark

ck ignition fuse,
Are you trying to jump start it? or have a fully charged and tested good this week- battery?

Who knows about the immobilizer-?? all I know is the green key has to be flashing on dash or its not supposed to start- correct?

 

Yup, it should flash 2-3 times and then shut off when you turn the key 1 click.

If I remember correctly if it continues flashing then there's a problem with your key. If it doesn't light up at all then your immobilizer might not be working. The immobilizer interrupts the fuel system so without it you're kinda dead in the water.

 

Great suggestions. What I meant by "no green Key" is its "not" flashing! I had to change the receiver unit in March of this year(Immobilizer is functioning normally) . It was running fine when I put her in storage.
I will do all the checks before replacing the timing belt( I'm not the type of guy to make beds in a burning house)
Thanks again.

 

verify spark at the plugs,
after looking thru back of timing belt cover - inspection port
Cant tell condition of belt, but can see if its tight and in place on top of the cam roller

 

Belt is tight(turning cam), plugs got spark. She turns over for about 2-3 sec's. then stops dead! For me the belt has jumped and timing off. Another 3.2lt has passed! She's a good parts car with a GREAT tranny. wish me luck! Thank for your help and time everyone.

 

Lol at least confirm that the timing jumped before replacing the motor or simply do a compression check.

 

Is there oil in the engine via the dipstick?

are you using a jumper cable to help with starting, or trusting the battery? That could be the real problem
or a starter issue? been a few of those fail on here recently = and stuff happens in waves~~~

 

Trust me, it would still run if it jumped 1,2,3,4,5 teeth. It will become noisy and run rough but it will start and run..
Easiest way to know about timing is to turn the crank to TDC, pull the little inspection plug off the front and rear cam covers and see if the lines match up (it may take 1 additional revolution of the crank to get the lines to match)

If you dont have the green key light when the key is inserted that is your issue. Try another key.

 

I get the feeling- with the recent batch of starter failures on here- this one could fit the profile with- cranks a few times and stops...

Using a breaker bar or something to reach the starter- GENTLY TAP it a few times
then use another car to jumper cable start the TL
For fun- ck all the grounds- starter has one, the battery has a main one that comes loose INSIDE its connector the body- under battery tray

 

Update! Starter was turning the engine CCW! I replaced mounting bracket from the original and placed on a 4 cylinder starter core(friends gift). Lesson learned!..... GATES kit installed and running GREAT!

 

I was right!! starter prob!!
but you never told us it was a different than stock item you had installed.. then the problem began!!
Lesson to count teeth on starter and direction of rotation!
Who puts a Non TL starter in? Are they really your friend?[

 

Lesson here is is he SHOULD have told us that he replaced the starter in the first place, ESPECIALLY with one that wasnt for a TL.