wont start

[Ldub]

You are correct Dub. Mind thought fuel pump, fingers typed fuel filter.

Yes, fuel FILTER on passenger side frame rail, fuel PUMP in gas tank.

I either need to get my fingers or my brain fixed.

Fixed'd it for ya Bro...

[Triathlete]

Time to put down the crack pipe Mark

[Scott Larson]

Oh hell, now I'm confused...but I do think your timing is off due to a slipped belt. All it takes is one hesitation (read backfire) because of a worn belt and it can throw it off a cog or two. Seen it, been there, done that...

[Triathlete]

Scott, i am guessing broken belt or bad tensioner. My belt is way over due...148000. But it is getting changed in about a week. Parts get ordered Monday

[Scott Larson]

Wow, Billy, you've been tempting fate haven't you? My '01 had 150,000 on it's original belt but it was 2 years newer and I changed it 2 years ago. I'm bettin' you're a "glass half full" kinda guy...

[Ldub]

I'm bettin' you're a "glass half full" kinda guy...

LOL...Billy's a "cladding half gone" kinda guy...

[Triathlete]

LOL...Billy's a "cladding half gone" kinda guy...

Hey, hey, hey...I represent that remark!

[VX KAT]

Since you mentioned noticeable valve clatter...

I remember a few posts in tha past, where someone had a sound that was like clatter or even the dreaded "death knock"...turned out to be the timing belt tensioner saying goodbye, which would also explain the possible circumstance of the timing belt skipping a cog...

pretty sure that was SilverBullet75. He's mentioned it several times.
Search his posts, with "tensioner", it was maybe a year ago or less.

[Y33TREKker]

Does the engine even SOUND like it's trying to fire while turning over? If not, it could be more electrically related, like something in the ignition. Have you checked for any blown fuses like fuel pump or ignition circuits? Even if a timing belt jumped a cog, it seems you'd still have fuel being ignited causing backfires or a VERY rough running engine.

[evillecutter]

Yes Mark is right, you would need to drop the gas tank to find the fuel pump. It's not difficult but time consuming.

...better yet, there's a schrader valve on the fuel rail- depress it (cover with cloth) and fuel should spray out for a second. Now turn the ignition a bit and check the valve- if it sprays out again, the fuel rail has pressure and the injectors should be getting enough fuel to turn over the engine.

is this the rail that runs on the side of the intake on top of the engine?

[evillecutter]

Does the engine even SOUND like it's trying to fire while turning over? If not, it could be more electrically related, like something in the ignition. Have you checked for any blown fuses like fuel pump or ignition circuits? Even if a timing belt jumped a cog, it seems you'd still have fuel being ignited causing backfires or a VERY rough running engine.

engine is turning over just fine really wants to start - plenty of juice just no fire

[evillecutter]

This is kind of a shot inna dark but...

Since you mentioned noticeable valve clatter...

I remember a few posts in tha past, where someone had a sound that was like clatter or even the dreaded "death knock"...turned out to be the timing belt tensioner saying goodbye, which would also explain the possible circumstance of the timing belt skipping a cog...

In any event, with sleuthing out the solution.

is the timing belt tensioner inside with the timing belt? or is that the same tensioner pulley thingy on the outside?

[evillecutter]

first off thanks everyone for all the help - gonna check a few things off the list today and see what i come up with - first gonna check all fuses and relays then look into vxorado's suggestion of the checking that valve for pressure, then going on to fuel pump, then on to tensioner and/or belt if none of those help - ill let you know how it goes

[evillecutter]

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/po...IFVuaXQ=&text=

what the heck is this and where does it go?

[Scott Larson]

That's the fuel gauge sending unit, it goes in the tank.