air intake system blows air

[quote:eb791e24ef="jdawg"]I have a 1996 Vw Jetta w/ 120,000mi. on it. Two months ago heard clanking in the engine and found that water pump was going bad, replaced. Yesterday car stalled out, cranks but won't start. There is spark, gas in the chamber, and checked the timing witch seems to right. However, when placing my hand on the intake manifold to check for suction, my hand was blown off. What could cause this? [b:eb791e24ef]Please help it's the only car we got to transport my kids![/b:eb791e24ef] :(

Don't know if you need this it's a GLS 2.0 litre[/quote:eb791e24ef]

Hey jdawg,
When you replaced the water pump did you also replace the timing belt? It sounds like there might be a timing belt issue there. Remove the t-belt cover (top) and rotate the engine over by hand (wrench/socket on crank pulley) and see if they both spin together if not, then the t-belt failed, if they both spin together then align crank and cam timing mark and verify both are timed correctly. Hope this helps!

Regards,

Chris

as was stated, I would look at the timing belt(which are suppose to be changed every 80,000 miles. If it hasn't, chances are there are teeth missing and it slipped. The belt would need replacement and a compression test done to see if any damage was done for the intake valve is opening on a compression stroke instead of closing. Piston and valve will hit, bending the valve and more damage.