'98 5SFE head replacement

[Tparkin]

I just replaced the cylinder head on my 98 camry 2.2. After reinstalling everything the car will not start. It turns over, gets fuel and spark but will not start. Does anyone have any info on how the camshaft position sensor works and how it is mounted to the back of these heads? I remember removing it from the old head and reinstalling it but fear I may have not positioned it correctly when I reinstalled it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Nervous]

Could it be timing issue? Have you checked it?

[Tparkin]

I guess it very well could be a timing issue. Would that prevent it from starting altogether? How is the timing checked on these engines?

[Nervous]

If you missed on several teeth or didn't aligned everything at TDC (incl distributor) then yes, it might not start at all. I'd recommend to visit "FAQ" sticky post and use Search - there are a lot of timing belt topics for 5sfe here....My engines are all 1MZ, thou.

[Tparkin]

thanks

[Tparkin]

I've checked the timing and it seemed to be set right. rechecked it several times and everything lines up as needed. I also verified that the cam sensor is installed correctly. I did notice that my manual says to check the resistance on the cam sensor at the plug when disconnected. According to the manual I have the resistance at the plug (cold) should be 884~1200 ohms. I'm getting a reading of 23.18 K ohms. Could this be the issue and if so what would cause the resistance to be off. From the plug the wiring disappears into a huge harness that goes through the passenger firewall....none of that was disturbed during my repair process.

I've checked and rechecked every wire and connector that I can find and still no luck getting it to start. Any suggestions?

[Rattlin_Steele]

You're probably fine on the cam sensor mounting. It would be pretty hard to mis-mount it. I just checked the resistance of my broken 5sfe in the garage (runs fine but has bad crank bearing(s)) and it's reading 1000 roughly (analog meter). I'm not familiar with the procedure but my sensor is mounted so don't know if that makes a difference and I assume you're talking about measuring across the two male pins inside the connector housing of the sensor itself. I don't know how the sensor relates to the starting of the car.

[Chris Crash]

My sensor's throwing a code right now, so obviously not working.

But it starts right up.

It's not your CPS.

Getting any codes? What's it do when you turn the key?

[Tparkin]

I finally got it to start thanks to another thread on here. Seems as if I had the cam's misaligned when I reinstalled them. It started right up but now overheats, looks like the water pump or thermostat are bad. I also have a worse top end knock now than I did before I replaced the head. I'm hoping that the valves just need adjusting or I've wasted a lot of time and money.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to check the valves and make any adjustments needed? The reman head was "supposed" to be adjusted already.

No CEL or anything, just a bad knock and overheating.

[Tparkin]

could timing still be an issue?

Seems to start and run ok, but I have a lot of knocking coming from the valve train.