In this video I have a look at a customers Ford Escape that has recently had the engine rebuilt. The down side is after the job was finished the vehicle would not start!! Well, let's see what it needs to make it run. Remember, don't forget the basics. -Enjoy!
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48 thoughts on “Customer rebuilt engine now it won’t start”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars John Dvoracek says:

    Unbelievable! Nice diagnostic approach – found it during step #1!

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars James Wisniewski says:

    My Story: Replaced Head Gaskets on a 98 K2500 w/ Gen VI 454…. Now this motor has multiport Fuel Injection and a distributor. I put it all back together, and the Dist Cap isn't like the old style where it goes 18436572. It is Flat, and has 2468 on one side and 1357 on the other. With "Traces" under the cap to direct the spark. I knew this, so I placed my wires accordingly. Tried to start it, and it backfired, popped, jumped, and wouldn't run. I knew right away it was spark. So I started messing around with moving the dist a tooth forward, backward, 180 out and nothing seemed to do the trick. Finally I pulled it out, went back to TDC and started over. This time I realized the cap wasn't 1357 & 2468. But has its order more like 2846 & 3571… So I actually had the wires in the wrong spots. (FACE PALM)

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ed says:

    she was patient with you ,I would've honked the horn sooner 😀

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Robert ALPINE-COWBOY says:

    i thought my motor in my racing tractor had rod knock . it was loose motor mounts , DWL thank God i not pull it apart

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars El Salvador says:

    Yesterday I over looked a burnt fuse and almost messed up a relay because of that

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jim C. says:

    Great troubleshooting, Eric! Always start with the basics.

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bruce Baxter says:

    Then there was the motor I swapped into my daughters Neon. A simple 2.0. Wiring harness completely connected. Oil. Gas. Coolant. 10 PM on a Friday night. Time to start it. Warm it up. Now it’s time to drive it around the block for the first time. 1/4 mile from home the boot came off the intake manifold and the car went Wide open throttle. Missing a band clamp. Put it back on several times. Nope not getting it home. By now I’d attracted the attention of a neighbor who came walking out to see what the ruckus was. We pushed it into a parking lot and I walked home, returning to find the missing clamp and put it on.

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Duane Buck says:

    Did an engine swap years ago in an old truck, putting in a larger engine (the old one quit oiling the valve train), and in the process managed to cross the two wires going to the ignition system. Miserably hard to start, and once we got it started you couldn't shut it off with the key. Had to use old school spark plug boot pliers that were plastic to remove leads from ignition system to shut it down. What made this funny? The fact that I had very clearly written on tape 1&2 for the wires and still managed to cross them. My dad reminded me of it for weeks!

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Billy Burkhart says:

    I replaced alternator hooked battery up wouldn't start after 4 hours I was going over everything and I forgot to hook up power wires on alternator very frustrating all on Chevy 1500k

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joe Cox says:

    Show some work on newer Subaru Imprezas

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Edward Demedeiros says:

    Just….wow!

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ozzy Krahn says:

    i remember when i was a kid, i tried starting a engine, complaining it wont start, my dad asked if i have gas, i said yes, he checks, saids you got no gas

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jon Kardolus says:

    Ik was leerling monteur. Ik vergat ooit olie in een motor te doen. Het liep wel goed af.

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jim Wilson says:

    Yes for a comment we rebuilt AV8 Chrysler marine engine got it all assembled back in a boat went to start it would start and die start and die started I started dying what we ultimately found out was that we had not when making the exhaust gaskets we did not knock out the center hole in the riser gasket couldn't breathe felt like a real ass hope you enjoyed this

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Nate Hess says:

    Took the key out while driving a 91 Toyota Celica gts to show my girlfriend and little brother how cool ideas that I could drive without the key in. Well the steering wheel locked while I was going around a turn on a 55 mph road and the car turned into the ditch after the turn and I clipped a sign as I skidded to a stop applying the brakes-!! WOOOPS!! LOL

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Terry Peters says:

    You are an honest man. Cranked on a 1957 Dodge 318 , no start. Towed it for two miles and no start. Opened the distributor to find no rotor. We all have our lapses.

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Charlie Fox says:

    56 Chev clutch replacement. The car was kept at my friend's uncle's farm. The farm was about 30 miles away for where he lived. It was November, the temperatures were just around freezing and it was starting to snow. We got a ride up to his uncle's farm any way we could, and do the same coming home. Replacing the transmission took one day longer than it should have because the transmission and driveshaft were removed twice. Why was that, you asked? Because the clutch pedal went down to the floor. Why? Because the throw-out bearing was in the wrong way. We only found this out, after everything was buttoned up.

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ryan Alan says:

    The honk by Mrs. O was hilarious 😂

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars James Dvorak says:

    Silly oversight by me: replaced the valve cover gasket on my son's Altima, along with PCV valve and hose. To get to it you have to unplug the coils, wiring harness. Finished job and tried to start–no go. I went back and took a look, saw that I had not reconnected 3 plugs on the wiring harness. I said to myself, in my best Eric O. voice, "Well, there's your problem, lady!" Plugged it all back in, started on first crank.

  20. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars James Dvorak says:

    Love this video. I could totally see myself doing the same thing! I suspect that the customer was somewhat embarrassed regarding the problem; however, I would bet that they were more relieved than embarrassed! I agree with James Stuart below: if that's all the DIY'er forgot, CHEERS!

  21. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jerry Daily says:

    Way to go Mrs O. Hahaha

  22. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joseph bradshaw says:

    One time I took blinker fluid and put it in the headlight reservoir, this blew the exhaust fluid out of the gas tank which had been filled with wiper fluid 🤤

  23. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Daniel David says:

    Funny. I would be leary also .

  24. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars chris harris says:

    Last winter I mounted directional tires in the wrong direction prior to inspection. I couldn't believe I did that but at least they were all consistent!

  25. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Patrick Reynolds says:

    Mrs.O honked the horn just as you touched the coil. Lol

  26. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Adam Moore says:

    I have a 2008 Mazdaspeed 3. Did an oil change. Put the oil pan bolt in, replaced the filter, tightened her up. Filled her up with oil, started the car and oil was shooting out the oil filler. I forgot to replace the oil filler cap. What a m'er effing mess!!

    Never made that mistake again!

  27. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Peter Whitmore says:

    I used to do a bit of engine rebuilding. Had a Renault to fix, terrible thing to work on at night in a cold garage. Put it all back together but got two bolts the wrong way round. When cranking the engine the longer of the two bolts interfered with the camshaft…the woodruff key sheared luckily…but no start…another night in the garage!

  28. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Doug says:

    Omg. Result. 🤣

  29. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jamie E says:

    Haha, that way pretty cool. That guy will probably be happy.

  30. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Steen Müller says:

    🤣

  31. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars rwandersonut says:

    I rebuilt the engine in my 1970 Olds Cutlass Convertible when I was much younger. Fired it up only to have engine oil pouring out the front main seal. That is when I found out what an oil slinger was for. Had to tear off all the accessories and the timing cover to add it back in. Lesson learned.

  32. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Johnny Sechrist says:

    OOOPPPSSS

  33. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Don Bosworth says:

    I really enjoy your videos, and Mrs. O's horn blowing since of humor. Serves you right for not trusting her.
    As for my story I had a 73 Dodge charger 318 cu inch that stop making power. After several days of trouble shooting I disconnected the exhaust manifolds and found the motor now made power. I found the exhaust pipe inner wall had twisted and increased the exhaust back pressure. ——- I then remembered the high water I had driven through a few day before the problem began. A visual inspection showed no problems, only after disassembly of the exhaust did I see the inside pipe twisted.

  34. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jeep Zea says:

    EricO, we’ve all been wondering what the customer said about the diag?

  35. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Tim says:

    Mrs. O gets an award! We learn many things by making mistakes. No harm no fowl. Thanks for the great videos.

  36. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars cype man says:

    Fabulous reveal…..love the horn bit by Mrs O, that never ever stops being funny.

  37. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Brian Mallynn says:

    Had a friend with a 4.3 caprice that was running shitty, I helped him diagnose it and we put a new computer on it. It ran great and we decided to drive it to the car wash and he got on it one time and broke the crank. 4.3 have a very weak crank and it was probably made worse by the running and back firing of the bad computer.

  38. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Nathan Haley says:

    Buck up a spark plugs backwards

  39. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Robert Shurtz says:

    You asked for something silly we've done working on cars, I installed a clutch plate backwards couldn't figure out why it wouldn't work and towed to to a shop like your customer did found out what I did LOL….

  40. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Death Cooties says:

    I put a water pump on my Tahoe. Got it done and completely back together. Looked down and saw one of the gaskets lying on the ground.

  41. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Robin Wheatley says:

    Love that Mrs O got you with the horn, spat my coffee out when she did it 🤣🤣🤣 that's my favourite trick too.

  42. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jon Miner says:

    Hi, Mr. O. Wearing all your safety gear would protect you from the terribly abusive wife you have there. Actually, she is the joker in the deck and you are one lucky guy. Now that I think of it she is also the queen of hearts. Thanks for sharing! Stay Healthy!

  43. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Randy Man says:

    Sh%t happens. Lol

  44. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Richard Lucy says:

    At first I thought probably timing marks was possible not right! Good basic search 👀🤣

  45. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joe Dygert says:

    I keep telling her to turn the key 😂

  46. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Thomas Medawar says:

    I’m 15 1/2 first year in college studying for my first physics exam one night when my Dad pulls into the garage and asks me take a look at the carburetor because he thinks the float needs an adjustment. I pull the air filter off and begin backing out the screws on top of the carb. to get to the float. Drop one of the screw down the throat and it stops on the throttle body. No problem I adjust the float and reach with needle nose pliers to grasp the screw. At that point my sleeve gets caught on linkage and pulls the throttle open and goodbye screw into the intake manifold. While pulling the manifold the screw wanders into the head intake. A couple of hours before the sun came up the next day I’d put everything back together and test drove the vet. Dad got up and asked if the car was fixed. I said yep and he asked me if I found any other problems. Nope should be running well now! He passed away and never knew about the ‘comedy of errors I had that night – nor did he need to.