engine won't start, help

[dragon_quattro]

I removed the air/fuel meter and intake tubing to replace the air filter. Also replaced the hydraulic lifters. I got everything back together, the camshaft, crankshaft and distributor are all lined up. Still won't start, can't figure out why. It seems like it's combusting in the intake manifold..notice the way the intake tubing puffs/pops up. It also smells like gasoline when I try to start it, but I can't find any leaks anywhere. Any ideas from someone more familiar with these engines? http://youtu.be/Uf7jL-xOk68

[AudiCoupeGT1986]

Well first off, I could be wrong but I'm not sure running your starter for that long is a good idea. I feel like you would fry your starter motor.

Second, Check to make sure that the air flow sensor plate can move freely up and down in it's seat and make sure it's centered. I would then go onto check to see if your fuel pump relay is working. You can easily check this by turning the ignition on and listening to the fuel pump buzzing. If it doesn't, you can try and jump the fuel pump by taking out the relay and jumping it using a wire between pins 30 and 87. You won't get shocked. If you hear the buzzing then it means the pump works but the relay is toast.

Try these and see what happens.
Good luck!

[cryptonik]

Try a shot of starter fluid in the air-intake tube. You're starter will need to be replaced soon. There's NO reason to abuse one like that!
Take the intake boot off, get a magnet and put it on the bolt on the air plate and pull up, gently. It should move without resistance. Check to be sure the plate is centered in the housing. If it's dirty, use some carb/fuel injector cleaner and clean it off.
Pull a spark plug and see if you have fire going to it.
Make sure there's not a rats nest in the bottom of your air box.
3 things make and engine run:
1. Air
2. Spark
3. Fuel.

Also, are you SURE you didn't put the distributor back in 180* backwards? My car starts with just a small blip on the key, so i would think that yours should as well, unless you messed something up reinstalling everything.

[dragon_quattro]

First off, thank you for the replies. I wasn't aware running the starter like that was bad for it! It's hard to hear on the video but part of the reason I kept it going for so long was because it kept sounding like it was soooo close to firing up. I'll make sure to be nicer to it.

Some more back story/info. The car was running pretty well before I started this work, I could just hear the lifters and knew they needed to be replaced. I also wanted to check and replace the air filter since I recently purchased the car and had no idea when the last time it was changed. Since it was running OK before I'm pretty positive I can rule out any fuel issues, I have service records of fuel lines, filter and pump being replaced before I purchased it and there are no leaks whatsoever. As for air, I replaced a piece of intake tubing that had a hole in it and put in a new air filter and could clearly see there were no obstructions when I took apart the intake. Air/fuel meter was cleaned and checked when I took apart the intake, it is centered and moves freely. This leads me to believe it's spark.

I realized I attached all of the cabling for the spark plugs and distributer but didn't actually check to see if they're getting anything. :/ So that's what I'm going to do next. As for the distributor being 180* off...all I can say is I think it's in there correctly, everything seems to be lined up based on the manuals I have. I've got an original factory service manual and a Chilton book.

Thanks again!

[one5k]

make sure that boot behind the fuel distributor is pushed on all the way. i thought i had mine on once and it wasn't. did the same thing. by the way, 15secs max on a starter. surprised you didn't smoke it

[jschlyGT]

yeah, as cryptonik mentioned, when i start my cgt it fires up with just a flick of the starter, so i would say if it doesnt start within 5 seconds, theres something wrong and you should hit the drawing board again.

my suggestion is that you check the hall sensor on your distributor. the wiring on mine was toast and i discovered it when i jiggled the wires and heard the fuel pump rumble, I replaced it and it once again started with a flick.

[jschlyGT]

one5k is also correct, having your intake boot off in the slightest will cause it to run either very poorly or not at all, so thats always a good place to look

[audidouge]

water sensors are a big thing with these cis motors the main one is your thermal switch tells your computer to make it rich or lean depending on temp i would repace all vaccume tubes and your thermal switch and possably fuel pump relay all for about 40 bucks secondly timing set to 12 degrees can be advanced to 19 for more bottomend power third check fuel sensor plate lever level must rest 1.9+-.15mm/0.074+-.005in other help could be at http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/timing2.htm

[CJ Miller]

Double check a few more things. There are grounds on the stud off the back of the intake manifold; they are easily broken when removing the cover to replace the air filter.

Check the fuse along the side of the main fuse box; those are not spares but give power to the ECU.

Then it is basics. Base timing correct (i.e., distributor position)? Getting spark? Getting fuel?

[x19]

Hi, Yes, just " cryptonik" say.
would like to know, your engine must have a good compression with wright on TIMING.
Remove the distributor from engine and grounde by wiring.
one plug wire connect to spark plug (removed or any other size for testing) and ground by wiring then spin the driven gear on distributor with ignition on. If you see the spark on that plug.
Your ignition wiring system are OK. Watch out to high voltage at moment.Be careful.

I think this time seems to me OK be course, you smelled gasoline. x19