98 lumina cranks but backfires

[3.198lumina]

hey guys

last nite my lumina broke down, no indication of it happening no problems , no rough running etc. the car just stalled out and when you crank to start it would sound like it would start and almost start , but it would also backfire and make gasping sounds. I had it towed to a station cause it was dark out and had no way of working on it then or getting it to start. just wondering what it could be. they haven't started to work on it yet and said it could be a few days.

 

thanks

eddie

[rich17]

It could be so many things. Probally a fuel pump tho

[pshojo]

I have had this a couple times, ended up being coil pack both times.

[skitchin]

Fuel pressure regulator and EGR solenoid were replaced in my case - could be anything in the fuel/spark department though.

[3.198lumina]

yup its the coil pack/s. well they had 207,000 miles on them so I guess that wasn't too bad

[3.198lumina]

well it isn't the coil packs. that's what they thought , before looking at the car. it does have spark across all coil packs. I am now being told it is most likely a broken timing chain. well that's all I know for now, as the place will be closed for Christmas. what is involved in doing a timing chain? from my searching on it, it could also be a broken cam shaft???? car ran fine , then it stalled and wouldn't start.... cranks and sometimes backfires.... I don't think this is going to be good:roll: was told when they try to crank it , they can hear a little slapping ... car does have 206,000 miles. thanks for any advice

[rich17]

Could be a broken cam but the they usually run on 4 cylinders. Could be the timing chain but seems unlikely. I'd hook up a computer and see if its getting a cam and crank signal first

[3.198lumina]

well im going took the car back. they didn't want to be bothered.i don't get it. .. well im going try to do it on my own with help from the w body:biggrin:

if I pull the valve cover I should be able to see if the cam broke , because some of the valves wont be moving right? rich when you said a computer did you mean like a code reader. funny thing is that nite when it broke down, I had just went to my friends house to borrow the code chip reader. I plugged it in under the dash. so after this happened , he read the code reader and there were no codes.

[rich17]

You're not looking for a code. You're looking for the proper voltage signal from the cam and crank sensors.

[3.198lumina]

well it is a broken cam. pulled the valve cover off and only one of the lifters moves the others don't . didn't pull the back valve cover just the front . I would assume that's the same for the backside. is there a magic fix in a bottle for this one:lol:

[19Cutlass94]

pull motor, replace with better cam from WOT-Tech.

[rich_e777]

Might have a broken/worn timing chain as well. You will need a pulley tool to remove the timing cover to check.

[l67ss]

Mite b better off jus dropping in a good used motor. Those broke cams can b a bear to remove. Plus you dont kno what caused it to break.

[mfewtrail]

A good used junkyard engine is your best bet. Completely re-gasket it before installation. Most 3X00's that have went through a broken cam do not look too nice inside and nothing short of a full rebuild would ensure that they would run reliably again.