Trying to figure out if i finally hit the jackpot with my valves. i had them adjusted kind of loose to begin with and not too sure if it could possibly be due to valves being too loose. (stock cylinder head, 100k miles)

symptoms: idles as if its on 3 cylinders, jumping twice a second. hesitates while accelerating and at times shuts off while driving and off throttle. compression is withing 195-205 across cylinders.. anything else i could check for? could this be due to clearance being too loose?? can't be anything ignition related.. right? (all spark plugs are in tact, rotor has a bit of burn marks but nowhere near toasted, wires are old but in tact, timing hasn't moved)

 

If you kissed any valves, it would definately show up on a compression test.

It sounds like your timing is off. I would check to make sure your timing belt didn't skip a tooth. Line up everything at TDC and rotate by hand two full revolutions and then see if they're still lined up. Also make sure your spark plug wires are on in the right order, I know that sounds retarded but I've brain farted and done that

 

thanks, i'll try that next. wires have been untouched and they are in order.. although.. at one point while troublshooting one of them as kind of loose at distr. cap point. maybe i'll get a new wire set while i'm at it..

 

ok.. have some pics below.. i do believe its the same way i had it prior to incident during last valve adjustment and idle was fine..

when up are lined up:



when side marks are lined up against each other:

 

.....isn't your car turbo?

do a leakdown?

 

yes it is..

 

cam gears look fine, when the side ones are lined up the two UP's are always just off at about 85-88 degrees instead of 90 degrees. same as my motor when the side markers are bang on the "UP" arrows are off the left a bit

 

so how do cam gears line up in these pictures?

started her up again.. it feels like its misfiring somewhat.. i can hear random pop from the engine and exhaust.. gave it gas up to 3-4k, released throttle and it almost died and then went to that limpy idle

 

sounds like bad plugs to me...check to see if you plugs are fouled up or if one of you cylinders is getting a bad spark

 

already checked plugs, rotor, cap.. however.. ignored these things for 30k miles.. had old ones laying around (15k pre turbo) and it day/night difference. i wonder how much hp i lost due to that ****! hopefully no damage..



wheres that hammer picture!!! i'm glad i didn't skip all of ignition as i was ready to take cylinder head apart to check for valve damage