My B20 has been running consistently worse over the last week or so.
Checked everything:
Compresson 170 on all cyls.
Leak down test all around 15 percent
Timing right on the money.
Starting and cranking even without the spark plugs was uneven, seemed like a blown head gasket with fluid lock. Though it would finally turn.
Rotating the crank by hand (wrench) indicated a LOT of drag.
I pulled timing cover to find hat my timing gear was a little torn up but not the cause of the problem.
Next step, pulled the engine and removed the timing gear. The crank turned freely and the cam turned freely. After quite a bit of sleuthing I discovered that the cam retainer was pretty badly deformed.
Installed a new timing gear and retainer and things seem OK. I'm just not comfortable reinstalling the engine without knowing the cause of the problem.
Anyone know?
Any ideas?
Any guesses?
I know I'm baffled.