Onward Troubleshooting Progress for Karlino

So in case you haven’t noticed, I’ve not blogged here for almost 2 weeks.  I’ve been very preoccupied about trying to get Karlino repaired, to be able to start up again.  I’ll have to admit it’s made me a little depressed.  And carpooling with my wife daily has added to the stress.  I feel like I’m in a mechanic’s wormhole hell…

Anyway, I’ve been trying to diagnose/fix my car’s non-starting problem since Monday afternoon, the 22nd of February.  Thus far, this is what I’ve done:

• checked CEL codes…got 2
• P0402 EGR Flow Excessive & P1345 Manufacturer Control Ignition System or Misfire
• took apart & cleaned out the intake manifold, specifically that little hole that tends to get clogged up
• replaced the plugs & wires with new NGK parts (verified I got spark, on all cylinders)
• after trying to unsuccessfully start it (again), I was told that the raw gas (which I did smell from the exhaust pipe) could foul the new plugs
• therefore, I dutifully cleaned & dried the plugs with carb cleaner & canned air
• replaced the camshaft position sensor (made sure I disconnected the negative battery cable first)
• verified that the timing belt has not broken or slipped any teeth

Putting all back together, with anti-seize compound & properly torqued, the motor does turn over, but does not catch fire.  I have verified that I can hear the faint whirr of the fuel pump. I have tested all the fuses with my multimeter.  So with gas & spark seemingly available, is it mechanical or more electrical (& I cleared the CEL codes & none have reappeared recently)?

I’m only down to a few things that I (& various driveway mechanic friends of mine) can think of:

• possible a faulty coil pack(s) – but I do get spark
• faulty and/or not synched crank position sensor
• some other sensor?
• faulty firing of injectors

So, there you have it.  Racing Ready is now tempted to take it to the dealer, or a shop, but there’s got to be a simple solution.  Others will say, “Enough already!”  But the budget says otherwise…hmmm…

Dan

P.S. – I don’t understand, I must not be feeding the right supplements to Karlino.  Today makes two 12mm 3/8″ sockets that he’s ingested into the black hole of his front bumper cavity.  I will need to do some magnetic dentistry & work on his diet.  Maybe it’s that he’s anxious to get all properly lubricated with his pending AMSOIL fluids (for engine, tranny & rear diff).  Those will come only after we get Karlino running again!