Engine Will not Turn Over

Battery, cranking system or other electrical problems

Refer to Starting/Charging section of this service manual.

Liquid in combustion chamber

Remove with suction gun. Then crank with plugs removed.

Seized engine

Repair.

Engine Cranks Normally, But Does not Start

Fuel or ignition system problem

Refer to Diagnostic and Test Procedures in the appropriate section of this service manual.

Camshafts/Drive

Inspect chain sprockets, camshafts, crankshaft key and pins.

Restricted exhaust system

Repair.

Hydraulic lifters pump-up when engine is cold

Improper viscosity engine oil. Refer to Owner's Handbook/Service Manual recommendations.

Low compression due to stuck or burned valves, stuck rings, blown head gasket, etc

Perform a compression test, as outlined in this section. Repair engine as necessary.

Excessive engine oil pressure pumping up hydraulic lifters and holding valves open

Check compression and oil pressure. If compression is extremely low, less than 690 kPa (100 psi), and oil pressure exceeds 621 kPa (90 psi), replace oil pump regulator valve or faulty lifters.

Engine Starts Normally, But Stalls within Five Minutes. Engine Has Low Compression During Initial Cranking after Stall.

Low compression due to hydraulic lifters being pumped up

Incorrect viscosity oil. Refer to Owner's Handbook/Service Manual recommendations.

Rough Idle or Vibration

Fuel, ignition system or emission system problem

Refer to Starting/Charging section of this service manual.

Uneven cylinder compression

Perform a compression test, as outlined in this section. Repair engine as necessary.

Hydraulic lifters

Replace lifters.

Powertrain mounts alignment or adjustment

Adjust or repair.

Broken valve spring

Repair.

White Smoke

Usually caused by water vapor, which is a normal by-product of combustion usually seen on cold days.

None required.

If excessive white smoke with engine warmed up, check for possible faulty head gasket, cracked cylinder head, block, intake manifold/gasket.

Repair or replace.

Black Smoke

Usually caused by rich fuel mixture

Refer to Diagnostic and Test Procedures in the appropriate section of this service manual.

Blue Smoke

Usually caused by oil burning in the combustion chambers

Refer to "Excessive Oil Loss" diagnosis in this service manual.

Excessive Oil Loss

External oil leaks

Tighten bolts and/or replace gasket/RTV and seals as necessary. Check front crankshaft damper/pulley bolt.

Improper reading of dipstick

Check oil with vehicle on a level surface. Allow adequate drain down time.

Improper oil viscosity

Use recommended viscosity for prevailing temperatures.

Continuous high speed driving and/or severe usage

Continuous high speed operation and/or severe usage will normally cause decreased oil mileage.

Crankcase ventilation or PCV system malfunctioning

Service as necessary. Check cam/rocker cover baffles and hoses.

Valve guides and valve stem seals worn, or seals missing

Replace guides and install standard service valves.

Cylinder head casting valve guide bore damaged

Install oversize valve guide.

Piston rings not seated

Allow 4827 odometer kilometers (3000 odometer miles) and monitor.

Improperly installed, broken or worn piston rings

Check pip mark location during disassembly and replace broken or worn rings as necessary.

Piston improperly installed/damaged

Replace piston or repair as necessary.

Valve stem seals worn

Replace all valve (intake and exhaust) stem seals.

Low Power and/or Poor Acceleration

Incorrect crankshaft causing timing to be retarded or advanced

Inspect crankshaft reluctor ring for correct crankshaft installation.

Low Oil Pressure

Slow idle speed

Set idle speed to specifications.

Incorrect or faulty oil pressure switch or sensor

Replace with proper switch or sensor.

Incorrect or faulty oil pressure gauge

Replace with proper gauge.

Improper oil viscosity

Replace with proper oil.

Diluted engine oil

Change engine oil and filter. Repair cause of dilution (rich mixture, etc.).

Frozen water in oil pan

Thaw water and change oil.

Oil pump worn or scored

Clean pump and replace worn parts as necessary.

Front cover/pressure seals missing or damaged

Inspect suction/pressure seals.

Plugged filter

Replace filter and oil.

Oil pick-up screen loose or plugged

Clean or replace screen as necessary.

Hole in oil pick-up tube

Replace tube.

Excessive bearing clearance

Replace as necessary.

Cracked, porous or plugged oil galleys

Repair, or replace block.

Regulator valve not seated/spring broken

Replace regulator valve located in front cover.

Lash adjuster missing - DOHC

Replace lifter.

Galley plugs missing or incorrectly installed

Install plugs or repair as necessary.

Valve Train Noise

Low oil pressure

Repair as necessary. Refer to "Low" in this service manual.

Cylinder head oil gallery plug missing

Replace oil gallery plug.

Loose rocker arm attachment

Inspect and repair as necessary.

Worn rocker arm and/or shaft

Replace as necessary.

Broken valve spring

Replace spring.

Sticking valves

Free valves.

Lifters worn, dirty, or faulty

Refer to "Diagnosis of Hydraulic Lifters" in this service manual.

Camshaft worn or faulty

Replace camshaft.

Worn valve guides

Repair as necessary.

Engine Knocks Cold and Continues For 2-3 Minutes. Knock Increases with Torque.

Flywheel contacting splash shield

Bent connecting rod

Crankshaft contacting oil pan

Inspect oil pan and replace if necessary.

Loose or broken torsional damper or drive pulleys

Tighten or replace as necessary.

Excessive piston to bore clearance

Replace piston.

Bent connecting rod

Replace connecting rod.

Engine has Heavy Knock. Hot with Torque Applied.

Broken balancer or pulleys hub

Replace parts as necessary.

Loose torque converter bolts

Loose torque converter bolts

Accessory belts or tensioner damaged

Accessory belts or tensioner damaged

Exhaust system grounded/loose grommets

Exhaust system grounded/loose grommets

Flywheel cracked or loose rivets on clutch plate

Flywheel cracked or loose rivets on clutch plate

Excessive main bearing clearance

Repair as necessary.

Excessive rod bearing clearance

Repair as necessary.

Engine has Light Knock. Hot in Light Load Conditions.

Faulty Ignition Control (IC) or Knock Sensor (KS) system

Refer to the Emission Control section of this service manual.

Improper timing

Refer to the Emission Control section of this service manual.

Piston pin and/or connecting rod

Replace piston, pin and/or connecting rod.

Poor quality fuel

Use fuel of recommended grade.

Loose torque converter bolts

Tighten bolts.

Exhaust leak at manifold

Tighten bolts and/or replace gaskets as necessary.

Excessive rod bearing clearance

Replace bearings as necessary.

Engine Knocks on Initial Start Up. Knock Lasts Only a Few Seconds.

Improper oil viscosity

Install proper oil viscosity for expected temperatures.

Oil filter check valve

Replace oil filter.

Engine Knocks at Idle Hot

Hydraulic lifter bleed down

Refer to "Diagnosis of Hydraulic Lifters" in this service manual.

Loose or worn accessory drive belt/tensioner

Check belt tension and/or belt tensioner, replace as necessary.

A/C compressor or generator bearing

Replace as necessary.

Fuel pump

Replace pump.

Valve train

Refer to "Valve Train Noise" in this service manual.

Improper oil viscosity

Install proper viscosity oil for expected temperatures.

Excessive piston pin clearance

Install new piston, pin and/or connecting rod.

Connecting rod alignment

Check and replace rods as necessary.

Insufficient piston to bore clearance. (Cold engine piston knock usually disappears when cylinder's spark plug is grounded out. Cold engine piston knock which disappears in 1.5 minutes should be considered acceptable.)

Hone and fit new piston, if required.

Faulty timing chain tensioner or chain guides

Replace timing chain tensioner and/or chain guides as necessary.

Loose vibration damper/pulley

Torque any or replace worn parts.

Noisy at Idle, Becoming Louder as  Engine Speed is Increased To 1,500 RPM.

This noise is not connected with lifter malfunction. It becomes most noticeable in the vehicle at 16-24 km/h (10-15 mph) L (Low) range, or 48-56 km/h (30-35 mph) D (Drive) range and is best described as a harsh sound. At slow idle, it may be entirely gone or appear as a light ticking noise in one or more of the following:

Repair as necessary.