# Car will not start

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-will-not-start/13491>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [May 1, 2008, 12:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-will-not-start/13491 "2008-05-01T00:30:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![wareagles1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/46a35a/32.png) [@wareagles1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wareagles1)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 12:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-will-not-start/13491/1 "2008-05-01T00:30:26Z")

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I hava a 1992 lexus sc400 that will not start,it only backfire from the tail pipe

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**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 9:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-will-not-start/13491/2 "2008-05-01T09:14:37Z")

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The backfiring may indicate there is a valve timing problem.

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**Author:** ![Scudder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Scudder](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Scudder)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 12:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-will-not-start/13491/3 "2008-05-01T12:25:16Z")

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Check the timing belt, sounds like it’s broken or slipped.

The 92 uses a non interference V8 engine therefore there will be no mechanical damage, you’ll just need to replace the timing belt, tensioner and maybe the water pump.

If this were a 95 - 97, your engine would make a very large but elegant paperweight.

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**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 2:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-will-not-start/13491/4 "2008-05-01T14:15:47Z")

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I was surprise, and you are lucky, that it is a “non-interference” engine according to [www.gates.com](http://www.gates.com) (the timing belt, and other belts, maker).  
If it’s hasn’t had a tune recently, try new spark plugs first. Then spark plug wires, fuel filter, air filter, etc. If the replacement timing belt isn’t in the maintenance records, or receipts, it’s probably a timing belt which is years past its scheduled change.