99 Sable runs great.....for a second

[gacyota]

So I picked up this 99 Sable 3.0 OHV from a guy because he couldn't keep oil in it and someone quoted him $3000 to fix it.
I discoverd the front crank seal was leaking some and the oil pan was leaking profusely. I had to replace the harmonic balancer in the process (I accidentally dropped original and cracked exciter ring). After putting car together, it started, but will only run for a second then sputter and die. My first thought was a crank sensor, so I replaced it and have same issue. I of course have double and triple checked that all of my sensors are hooked back up and everything appears to be where it is supposed to be. I have no MIL so my $100 scanner won't tell me what's wrong.Where do I go from here to diagnose this problem?

[way2old]

Will it run long enough for you determine if it is losing spark or fuel? Did you look carefully at the sensor connection to be sure it is clean and dry? If it is oil soaked, the PCM will not read the sensor. The oil will allow the signal to just short out.

[gacyota]

Today I checked for spark (my daughter learned how to start a car today), good spark. Switched the fuel pump relay with AC relay. Checked all vacuum lines and electrical connectors. This car should be running. So I looked on the bench and noticed a washer amongst other remaining bolts, that looked like it would fit a harmonic balancer bolt. Installed washer, car started and ran. I am happy to say the Sable is now on the road.
I am guessing with that washer not in there, something was bound up too tight not letting the crankshaft want to turn?

[jgate]

The harmonic balancer"s exciter ring must not of been lined up correctly with the crank sensor ,, this would be my guess.

[tac]

So will this be a short term or long term replacement for the Focus?

[gacyota]

This is my new ABC car. It gets from point A to point B and we will C if it does it again. Actually now that I have driven it a few days, it is in pretty decent shape. I may keep this one for a while