*Help* My Car is running terrible!

Skyman · 06-22-2002, 03:52 PM

Well I got my car all back together and I fire it up. Set the timing, fuel pressure, etc etc.

I let it blow all the smoke out till it runs clean.

But the car is running TERRIBLE, and I cant figure it out.

The motor feels off balance or like its missing. Its harder to start than normal and it sounds bad when I start it. AFter driving for 15min or so the check engine light came on and just stayed on.

It shuddery and missing when driving especially around 1500-3500rpm. And it has no power.

I have checked everything. MAF, Fuel pressure, timing, I reset the computer again.

I am really stumped and can't figure it out, anyone help, I am gettin pissed off!

Chris, what do you think?

Thanks,

Skyler

shadowblue89 · 06-22-2002, 03:56 PM

Have you checked your EGR to see if it is stuck open?

Any vaccum leaks?

Oldschoolpony · 06-22-2002, 05:34 PM

When you say back together again, what do you mean? Did you have the distributor out? or timing chain? Check that plug wires are correct? Sounds like its running on 7

shadowblue89 · 06-22-2002, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Oldschoolpony
When you say back together again, what do you mean? Did you have the distributor out? or timing chain? Check that plug wires are correct? Sounds like its running on 7

He's running a new motor.

tireburner163 · 06-22-2002, 07:14 PM

I think he just got his heads ported and got the new intake, cam, exc. I think he's running the same short block.

Oldschoolpony · 06-22-2002, 08:00 PM

If thats the case, I'd start by checking the timing.

lx mike · 06-22-2002, 08:23 PM

Did you pull the distributor?? might have gotten it a tooth off.

did you scan for any codes??

vacuum leak??

fouled plug(s)??

Stroked408 · 06-22-2002, 09:22 PM

Sky,
this may sound crazy,screwy,and maybe even insane but I would check the 2 things a lot of people fail to look at.

1. I would check the O2 sensors,just a hunch there,I doubt it but it is worth the effort.

2. You may have a TPS out of whack,those are the small things I would think of.

Good luck with it and get it back together and running right.

Skyman · 06-22-2002, 09:25 PM

thanks guys. EGR is fine, plugs are all fine, TPS and timing are set. Plug wires are correct and distributor is in right. Im going to check the codes tonight, and then compression test the motor tomorrow.

Skyler

PKRWUD · 06-23-2002, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skyman
Im going to check the codes tonight, and then compression test the motor tomorrow.

Skyler

That's exactly what I was going to suggest. Post the results, and we'll go from there.

Take care,
-Chris

Skyman · 06-23-2002, 08:59 PM

I compression tested the motor.

1- 155
2- 155
3- 0
4- 138 (had cylinder replaced here 2 years ago)
5- 155
6- 155
7- 148
8- 165

So I pulled the vavle covers and discovered the rockers were way to tight on #3, readjusted them, and now I have 155 on cylinder #3 now.

The car runs pretty good, but its pathetic on lowend power. I guess its the holley intake and 1.72 rockers.

I crankd my timing up high to try and compensate, but its still soggy on the bottom end. and its running pretty damn hot too.

Skyler

PKRWUD · 06-23-2002, 09:55 PM

What about the codes?

Take care,
-Chris

Skyman · 06-23-2002, 10:41 PM

I dont have a code scanner.

Skyler

Stroked408 · 06-24-2002, 12:19 AM

What about the o2 sensors?

they tend to lean the car out a little too much when they are out of whack,looked under mine the other day exhaust was cherry red.

Replaced them no problems,just a hunch. How does it start up? easy,hard,what thermostat you running?

Skyman · 06-24-2002, 03:32 AM

No I havnt' changed the O2's, but they have no effect on the car at FULL Throttle.

It starts pretty easy now. I have a stock thermo, cuz they screwd up at the autparts store, Im gonna go back to a 180 soon.

Skyler

PKRWUD · 06-24-2002, 03:37 AM

Is the check engine light still on?

Take care,
-Chris

Skyman · 06-24-2002, 03:40 AM

No its not, and it hasnt come on since.

Skyler

PKRWUD · 06-24-2002, 04:23 AM

That was probably just from having a dead cylinder, then. It really just sounds like you've raised your power band rpm. Is this a new cam too, or just new rockers? If it is a new cam, did you install it straight up, advanced, or retarded, and by how many degrees? Advancing it 4 degrees would bring a little bit of low end power back, but I have a feeling that intake might be more of a factor than I would have thought.

Take care,
-Chris

Rick 91GT · 06-24-2002, 06:02 AM

Sky, glad to see you got it up and running. One thing you might want to do is re-adjust the valves again, I ended up doing that a few times on mine 3/4, 1/2 and finally 1/4 turn before I found that magic setting. That E-cam is holding you back and won't allow you do take full advantage of the Holley, why not ditch the E-cam and 1.7's and get a healthy custom cam and 1.6's. You can get some healthy grinds that will still pass emissions out there in CA. Does the Holley pull oil into your TB or Intake? If it does I have a fix for that

Take Care,

Rick

RPM427 · 06-24-2002, 10:01 AM

I had the holley on my car when I still had the stock heads/cam in it and lost almost no low end. Its prob not that.

06-22-2002, 03:52 PM	#1
Skyman I need 110mph Trap Speed! Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: So, CA Posts: 4,315	Help My Car is running terrible! Well I got my car all back together and I fire it up. Set the timing, fuel pressure, etc etc. I let it blow all the smoke out till it runs clean. But the car is running TERRIBLE, and I cant figure it out. The motor feels off balance or like its missing. Its harder to start than normal and it sounds bad when I start it. AFter driving for 15min or so the check engine light came on and just stayed on. It shuddery and missing when driving especially around 1500-3500rpm. And it has no power. I have checked everything. MAF, Fuel pressure, timing, I reset the computer again. I am really stumped and can't figure it out, anyone help, I am gettin pissed off! Chris, what do you think? Thanks, Skyler __________________ 2001 BMW M3 6spd 12.79@108 RIP ---- 1993 Notch w/ 98 4V 4.6 Fasttt... -1989 Saleen Mustang #406- 12.32@109 -1999 Black Cobra Coupe- JBA Shorties, Bassani Cat-X, Magnaflow 3", Pulleys, 85mm Pro-M, Ported Intake, Soild Rear w/ 4.30s, Tubular Front End, X2C arms, 13lb batt, few others.

06-22-2002, 03:56 PM	#2
shadowblue89 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 286	Have you checked your EGR to see if it is stuck open? Any vaccum leaks? __________________ Charlie 89 GT 5spd

06-22-2002, 07:14 PM	#5
tireburner163 It's a lot like a race car Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Meridian, MS Posts: 4,130	I think he just got his heads ported and got the new intake, cam, exc. I think he's running the same short block. __________________ 1987 Buick T-type 1998 HD Electra Elide

06-22-2002, 08:00 PM	#6
Oldschoolpony Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Gainsville,Fl Posts: 229	If thats the case, I'd start by checking the timing. __________________ http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/...splay.cgi?1546

06-22-2002, 08:23 PM	#7
lx mike Undescribable Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Ft Myers Fla Posts: 1,539	Did you pull the distributor?? might have gotten it a tooth off. did you scan for any codes?? vacuum leak?? fouled plug(s)?? __________________ Rice Haters Club Member #101

06-22-2002, 05:34 PM	#3
Oldschoolpony Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Gainsville,Fl Posts: 229	When you say back together again, what do you mean? Did you have the distributor out? or timing chain? Check that plug wires are correct? Sounds like its running on 7 __________________ http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/...splay.cgi?1546

06-22-2002, 09:22 PM	#8
Stroked408 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southwest Posts: 131	May sound crazy Sky, this may sound crazy,screwy,and maybe even insane but I would check the 2 things a lot of people fail to look at. 1. I would check the O2 sensors,just a hunch there,I doubt it but it is worth the effort. 2. You may have a TPS out of whack,those are the small things I would think of. Good luck with it and get it back together and running right. __________________ Deeper,Harder,Faster Stage Deeper Launch Harder Go Faster

06-22-2002, 09:25 PM	#9
Skyman I need 110mph Trap Speed! Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: So, CA Posts: 4,315	thanks guys. EGR is fine, plugs are all fine, TPS and timing are set. Plug wires are correct and distributor is in right. Im going to check the codes tonight, and then compression test the motor tomorrow. Skyler __________________ 2001 BMW M3 6spd 12.79@108 RIP ---- 1993 Notch w/ 98 4V 4.6 Fasttt... -1989 Saleen Mustang #406- 12.32@109 -1999 Black Cobra Coupe- JBA Shorties, Bassani Cat-X, Magnaflow 3", Pulleys, 85mm Pro-M, Ported Intake, Soild Rear w/ 4.30s, Tubular Front End, X2C arms, 13lb batt, few others.

06-23-2002, 08:59 PM	#11
Skyman I need 110mph Trap Speed! Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: So, CA Posts: 4,315	I compression tested the motor. 1- 155 2- 155 3- 0 4- 138 (had cylinder replaced here 2 years ago) 5- 155 6- 155 7- 148 8- 165 So I pulled the vavle covers and discovered the rockers were way to tight on #3, readjusted them, and now I have 155 on cylinder #3 now. The car runs pretty good, but its pathetic on lowend power. I guess its the holley intake and 1.72 rockers. I crankd my timing up high to try and compensate, but its still soggy on the bottom end. and its running pretty damn hot too. Skyler __________________ 2001 BMW M3 6spd 12.79@108 RIP ---- 1993 Notch w/ 98 4V 4.6 Fasttt... -1989 Saleen Mustang #406- 12.32@109 -1999 Black Cobra Coupe- JBA Shorties, Bassani Cat-X, Magnaflow 3", Pulleys, 85mm Pro-M, Ported Intake, Soild Rear w/ 4.30s, Tubular Front End, X2C arms, 13lb batt, few others.

06-23-2002, 09:55 PM	#12
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	What about the codes? Take care, -Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

06-23-2002, 10:41 PM	#13
Skyman I need 110mph Trap Speed! Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: So, CA Posts: 4,315	I dont have a code scanner. Skyler __________________ 2001 BMW M3 6spd 12.79@108 RIP ---- 1993 Notch w/ 98 4V 4.6 Fasttt... -1989 Saleen Mustang #406- 12.32@109 -1999 Black Cobra Coupe- JBA Shorties, Bassani Cat-X, Magnaflow 3", Pulleys, 85mm Pro-M, Ported Intake, Soild Rear w/ 4.30s, Tubular Front End, X2C arms, 13lb batt, few others.

06-24-2002, 12:19 AM	#14
Stroked408 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southwest Posts: 131	hmmmmmm What about the o2 sensors? they tend to lean the car out a little too much when they are out of whack,looked under mine the other day exhaust was cherry red. Replaced them no problems,just a hunch. How does it start up? easy,hard,what thermostat you running? __________________ Deeper,Harder,Faster Stage Deeper Launch Harder Go Faster

06-24-2002, 03:32 AM	#15
Skyman I need 110mph Trap Speed! Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: So, CA Posts: 4,315	No I havnt' changed the O2's, but they have no effect on the car at FULL Throttle. It starts pretty easy now. I have a stock thermo, cuz they screwd up at the autparts store, Im gonna go back to a 180 soon. Skyler __________________ 2001 BMW M3 6spd 12.79@108 RIP ---- 1993 Notch w/ 98 4V 4.6 Fasttt... -1989 Saleen Mustang #406- 12.32@109 -1999 Black Cobra Coupe- JBA Shorties, Bassani Cat-X, Magnaflow 3", Pulleys, 85mm Pro-M, Ported Intake, Soild Rear w/ 4.30s, Tubular Front End, X2C arms, 13lb batt, few others.

06-24-2002, 03:37 AM	#16
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	Is the check engine light still on? Take care, -Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

06-24-2002, 03:40 AM	#17
Skyman I need 110mph Trap Speed! Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: So, CA Posts: 4,315	No its not, and it hasnt come on since. Skyler __________________ 2001 BMW M3 6spd 12.79@108 RIP ---- 1993 Notch w/ 98 4V 4.6 Fasttt... -1989 Saleen Mustang #406- 12.32@109 -1999 Black Cobra Coupe- JBA Shorties, Bassani Cat-X, Magnaflow 3", Pulleys, 85mm Pro-M, Ported Intake, Soild Rear w/ 4.30s, Tubular Front End, X2C arms, 13lb batt, few others.

06-24-2002, 04:23 AM	#18
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	That was probably just from having a dead cylinder, then. It really just sounds like you've raised your power band rpm. Is this a new cam too, or just new rockers? If it is a new cam, did you install it straight up, advanced, or retarded, and by how many degrees? Advancing it 4 degrees would bring a little bit of low end power back, but I have a feeling that intake might be more of a factor than I would have thought. Take care, -Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

06-24-2002, 06:02 AM	#19
Rick 91GT Procharged! Join Date: May 1999 Location: Hanover, PA Posts: 1,539	Sky, glad to see you got it up and running. One thing you might want to do is re-adjust the valves again, I ended up doing that a few times on mine 3/4, 1/2 and finally 1/4 turn before I found that magic setting. That E-cam is holding you back and won't allow you do take full advantage of the Holley, why not ditch the E-cam and 1.7's and get a healthy custom cam and 1.6's. You can get some healthy grinds that will still pass emissions out there in CA. Does the Holley pull oil into your TB or Intake? If it does I have a fix for that Take Care, Rick __________________ *D/R 10108 NMRA Drag Radial, 25.5 chassis, F1R* *Check out RNH Performance Performance Engines and Custom Fabrication.* *From Mild to Wild we can build what you want, when you want it.* FOR SALE Stainless Steel Torque Box Supports

06-24-2002, 10:01 AM	#20
RPM427 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Huntington NY Posts: 573	I had the holley on my car when I still had the stock heads/cam in it and lost almost no low end. Its prob not that. __________________ -1993 Mustang, 900rwhp 03-04 cobra based 4v swap, full Griggs setup, project underway -1994 Ranger w/ 427cid windsor (daily beater) check it out!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Car running lean, any suggestions?	MATTKNIGHT	Windsor Power	10	03-08-2009 03:52 PM
My friend is Running WAY lean	TMASTER	Windsor Power	5	07-13-2003 09:41 PM
Fuel pump will not stop running	MustangGT1990	Windsor Power	7	01-29-2003 10:41 PM
running rich?	reignman	Windsor Power	2	11-13-2002 10:19 PM
Car's running hot...	Sonics2042	Windsor Power	8	07-16-2002 04:50 PM