Won’t start after new camshaft

[ImmortalT5]

Hey guys I bought a 2008 transporter 6 months ago now has 190,000 km and I have just changed the camshaft, followers, oil and filter because it was backfiring and put scrapes in the camshaft and followers were rounded a little,
Typical car dealer bodging up cars...
Anyway I can’t afford to take to Volkswagen to find the problem and need it for work

It turns over but won’t fire, it was running before we pulled it apart,
also the battery went flat during the time waiting for parts, my dad is pretty confident the timing is right (being a diesel mechanic)
After about 5 seconds of turning over the oil pressure light comes on and beeps

Any help would be greatly appreciated since we are lost for ideas
Thanks in advance, John

[ImmortalT5]

Also maybe the EPC light was on too

[ian]

I had a golf diesel that used to do that if i had not used it for a while,
but only occassionly i found i had to crank it for at least 30 seconds the oil light did come on but then it would start
never found out what caused it ,

[ImmortalT5]

Thanks Ian I stopped after 5 seconds was scared I would break it

[gldgti]

Not sure if you got it going or not but provided you are CERTAIN youve got the cam timing correct (turning engine over by hand before even attempting a start) then you'll just be waiting for prime in the injectors which can take a while. Dont worry too much about the oil pressure warning.

[ImmortalT5]

I still haven’t got it going....
we have cranked for ages and still nothing
we suspect it might be the cam positioning sensor, so going to change that in a couple days and try again then
Thanks for the feedback

[ImmortalT5]

If you are looking at the engine from the front is cylinder 1 on the far right?? That’s the way we have done it I have a Haynes manual now and i think it’s right

[Notso Swift]

Are you getting fuel? No air lock in the pump

[jfoldbar]

what engine is it?

[ImmortalT5]

2.5 BPC
also if you are looking at the engine from the front of the vehicle is cylinder #1 on the far left? Or the far right? Can’t find much online

[ImmortalT5]

Starting to think it’s the way the camshaft has been set... if it’s wrong gonna have to pull it apart again tomorrow😒

[Bora Sport]

2.5 BPC
also if you are looking at the engine from the front of the vehicle is cylinder #1 on the far left? Or the far right? Can’t find much online

My mechanic mate years ago told me number 1 is always the furthest from the flywheel ie gearbox.

[Umai Naa!!]

Yes, even though these are back-to-back the by design, #1 is still furtherest from the flywheel.

[jfoldbar]

2.5 BPC

do a fuel pressure test. can find out how on a pommy forum

[Kiels3927]

Was watching a Yank car show yesterday & they swore when they found they'd reversed the fuel & return lines. Don't know if this could have application here.