‘95 3rz Won’t Start

I bought a ‘95 2.7 last May (as pictured in my profile picture), and it’s been a great rig, up until these last couple weeks………….

Background on the Truck:

• It’s had a mild oil leak since gaining ownership of it, but aside from constantly having to maintain the mess and pick up a 5-qt every couple of months or so, it hasn’t seemed to be much of a pressing issue.

• I replaced the oil filter housing O-ring and gasket back in the summer(2024), but that didn’t seem to have much, if any, of an impact on the leak. I also replaced the PCV valve and ECT sensor around the same time.
  
  
• Around the end of December, I replaced the plugs, wires, ignition rotor, and cap.
  
  
• The better part of a month ago, I disassembled and cleaned the throttle body.

Issue I’m Facing Now:

• A couple weeks ago, with the weather getting considerably colder, I decided to inspect and tighten up the three serpentine belts (A/C, power-steering, and alternator).
  
  
• The truck was running just fine, but last weekend I noticed a knocking sound when accelerating……which quickly escalated to being accompanied with a very rough idle, little response to stepping on gas, sputtering, etc.
  
  
• I parked it and over the last week have swapped out the 3 belts, replaced the CP sensor, disconnected the battery to reset, checked all the fuses, checked the battery’s voltage after reconnection………………and now it will crank, but will not start, and have not been able to get it to do so, even briefly, since I parked it.

Sorry for the novel………and appreciate any input that anyone has to offer.

 

Double check everything you disconnected/touched. Make sure there aren't ANY loose connections (especially around the throttle body).

Check Engine Light on?

 

Pop off the line to brake booster at intake manifold. Spray a little starting fluid into the manifold port. Quickly put hose back on and have a friend start the engine.
Did it start then die? Fuel issue. Pump/fuse/relay/connector/wire.
No start? Ignition/spark/ecu issue.
Report back.

 

PSA: Turn over means crank.

You mean wont "run" "fire" or "start"

Why did you replace the crank/cam sensor?

 

Edited the post to be more accurate.
Thanks for bringing that to my attention and preventing further confusion.

I disconnected the battery and, conveniently, had my OBD stolen a couple months ago………so I’m not sure about a CEL atm.

Bout to do another sweep over everything, hit the connectors with some cleaner, and also check the plugs, wires, etc.

I replaced the crank/cam sensor because it came up on a few write-ups online for people that had similar issues………….although, as you’re all well aware, there’s a fairly long list of potential culprits for a problem like this.

**I completely forgot to add that right before the rough idle and poor response to acceleration rapidly escalated, I’d just gotten gas and dumped a bottle of Lucas in the tank before fueling up**

 

Update: Had a lot of things come up this last month, but didn’t mean to go AWOL on this thread………

Truck’s still not running, but was able to tear into it further, since the last time I was on here.

Finally got the harmonic balancer off yesterday afternoon to find this………

Am about to take the pump cover off (as I was going to replace it anyway) to further assess what damage was done……………
Saw that someone had started a thread after discovering similar damage, but was wondering if anyone had any input as to what I should do after inspecting the pump………anything will be appreciated.

 

Well that'll do it. Keyway probably fell out/timing gear mis aligned will definitely hinder starting.