Engine Misses when Hot. Need help.

SA · 02-09-2001, 01:44 AM

Sorry for not replying sooner. I've been working on the car all day.

I have switched caps, rotors, wires, and plugs. Played with sensors, wires, grounds, etc. Same thing.
I have yet to switch the o2s –will do it tomorrow.

But here's the thing. When I replaced the cap, the plugs on the cap that match up with the driver side bank were black, that is, the dielectric compound was black in color. I thought this was strange, so I cleaned all of the cap plugs off and tried cleaning the wire ends too. I did not add more compound

Anyways, I take the car out, get it hot, play with the fan, the usual routine –and the missing never appeared.

I don't want to get my hopes up, but I think that was it –the dielectic compound.??
I used the regular cheap stuff at the local auto store. I don't have a clue why this did what it did, if it was doing it at all.
I'll also be getting some new spark plugs wires asap (even though I checked that are out).

Next, the TFI unit. I switched distributors with a bud and no change in condition. I was faily confident that my dist/TFI units were good, but I checked anyway.

I re-did a code check again and came up with, of all things, a 29 (KOEO). The VSS. I've never had this one before. I don't have an auto trany nor cruise control, so it's probably messing with the idle-air bypass. Hum. I'll redo a test tomorrow.

On the cylinder balance test, I came up with an 8, and only an 8 for both the 65% and 43% drops. Before, I used to get the 8 in both too, but also got 5 and 6 with the 43% drop.
I isolated the #8 wire from a potential ground and have yet to re-test.

I'll drive it a lot tomorrow before dicking around with it again. If all's well, I'll just leave it alone and see what happens.

Dangerous Dave,
The rockers are correctly installed. I have gone through the adjustment many times with my heads. It's just that this time, there is a different sound that comes up around 2000rpm and up.

My rockers are stud mounted. I have side to side play in my FMS rockers (uninstalled). I believe that this play within the rockers and the angle of my valves (/////// instead of the regular lllllll) is what makes the regular sewing machine sound (of which I've had since day one, years back), but the clacking/tapping sound is what has me thinking.

Power has not dropped at all and vacuum is strong and steady.
Maybe it’s the different brand head parts I used this time (different harmonics)? It's weird. It kind of sounds like bad lifters, but wouldn't power be down?
hum.

Thanks all for the help. I'll keep working on it and give you guys updates.

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02-09-2001, 01:44 AM	#1
SA Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Posts: 14	Sorry for not replying sooner. I've been working on the car all day. I have switched caps, rotors, wires, and plugs. Played with sensors, wires, grounds, etc. Same thing. I have yet to switch the o2s –will do it tomorrow. But here's the thing. When I replaced the cap, the plugs on the cap that match up with the driver side bank were black, that is, the dielectric compound was black in color. I thought this was strange, so I cleaned all of the cap plugs off and tried cleaning the wire ends too. I did not add more compound Anyways, I take the car out, get it hot, play with the fan, the usual routine –and the missing never appeared. I don't want to get my hopes up, but I think that was it –the dielectic compound.?? I used the regular cheap stuff at the local auto store. I don't have a clue why this did what it did, if it was doing it at all. I'll also be getting some new spark plugs wires asap (even though I checked that are out). Next, the TFI unit. I switched distributors with a bud and no change in condition. I was faily confident that my dist/TFI units were good, but I checked anyway. I re-did a code check again and came up with, of all things, a 29 (KOEO). The VSS. I've never had this one before. I don't have an auto trany nor cruise control, so it's probably messing with the idle-air bypass. Hum. I'll redo a test tomorrow. On the cylinder balance test, I came up with an 8, and only an 8 for both the 65% and 43% drops. Before, I used to get the 8 in both too, but also got 5 and 6 with the 43% drop. I isolated the #8 wire from a potential ground and have yet to re-test. I'll drive it a lot tomorrow before dicking around with it again. If all's well, I'll just leave it alone and see what happens. Dangerous Dave, The rockers are correctly installed. I have gone through the adjustment many times with my heads. It's just that this time, there is a different sound that comes up around 2000rpm and up. My rockers are stud mounted. I have side to side play in my FMS rockers (uninstalled). I believe that this play within the rockers and the angle of my valves (/////// instead of the regular lllllll) is what makes the regular sewing machine sound (of which I've had since day one, years back), but the clacking/tapping sound is what has me thinking. Power has not dropped at all and vacuum is strong and steady. Maybe it’s the different brand head parts I used this time (different harmonics)? It's weird. It kind of sounds like bad lifters, but wouldn't power be down? hum. Thanks all for the help. I'll keep working on it and give you guys updates.