Car will not start

Asked by davidm303 Jan 12, 2016 at 01:03 PM about the 2000 Pontiac Grand Am GT

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Hi, a year ago I had an issue with the antifreeze leaking from the cylinder
head. I replaced the head gasket and had the head resurfaced. Though, by
accident, I polished the cylinder bores with a 1000 grit wet sand paper with
using wd40 and the grit I didnt clean damaged the piston rings, I think,
because one piston had a compression leak. I opened the engine's bottom,
removed and cleaned the pistons, installed new piston rings, replaced the
oil pump, primed the pump by hand, turned the crankshaft by hand, put
everything back, and started the car.
The car turned on smoothly, I didn't see a leak, hear a squeal, or notice a
compression leak issue. I didnt drive the car after it turned on because it
was late, I was tired, and I thought I had succeeded in rebuilding my
engine. When I tried to turn the car on the next day, it didnt start. I saw that
the serpentine belt wasn't moving while having my dad turn the key. I
replaced the battery, alternator, starter, and checked the fuses in case it
was an electrical issue; everything checked out fine.
At this point, is there anything I forgot to do? Can you help me?
I can turn the crankshaft using a breaker bar and elbow grease. The
crankshaft and camshaft sensors are new. the oxygen sensors are new.
The cat converter is new.

F_O_R answered 8 years ago

Did you forget the key in the key way for the main pulley/harmonic balancer? BTW did you hone the cylinders and remove the ridge at the top?

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davidm303 answered 8 years ago

If by key you mean the square hole on the balancer you need to fit when installing it, then yes, I fit it in; there's no other way to install the balancer. I honed the cylinders. At this point, I think my problem was that I honed the bores with the engine still mounted and the crankshaft on. Though, I made sure not to touch the crankshaft. I used transmission oil to lubricate the bores and protected the crankshaft with a lint-free rag from the honing dust. I didn't forget to lubricate the crankshaft bearings with engine assembly lube.

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