So its time to smog the beast, and I know it won't pass. It is sputtering at idle, after 2000 rpm it smooths out and drives fine. Gets 30-35mpg, and has 238k on it. The compression is between 150-165 cold so it should be fine. It idled fine before I changed the headgasket, I double checked the cam timing (it could be off I guess), I replaced the distributor, wires, cap, rotor, and plugs . took the injectors out and put new gaskets on them. Only thing to see is 2 spark plugs are completely covered in soot, and you can smell fuel behind the exhaust. What do you guys think?

here is a clip for reference

 

 

?

 

[QUOTE=ProjectDarkBlack]It idled fine before I changed the headgasket, I double checked the cam timing (it could be off I guess)

seriously?

and you're asking us to answer the question you just did again or something?

once you can at least say for sure that the timing on the ignition and the cam itself are correct...

then, bump the thread.

cuz to me, it sounds like the timing is off. get a qualified person to have at it with a timing light. its easy to mess your own timing doing a project that involves the belt coming off. its usually perfect until you tighten the tensioner, then its a bit off.

 

I firgured out the the firing order was opposite, I fixed it, and it won't even run. Is the timing belt procedure on the DX the same as a ZC? The helms manual I am using I think is for Sohc ZC motors.

The timing looks good, cylinders 1 and two are dumping fuel or not getting good spark. The plugs are black in these cylinders. 3 + 4 look great though


Modified by ProjectDarkBlack at 5:42 PM 9/28/2007

 

up

 

something in the ignition?

 

sounds like something in the throttle body

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rleonekc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">sounds like something in the throttle body</TD></TR></TABLE>

I have replaced that, 3 times

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ProjectDarkBlack &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">where knowledge is horsepower

</TD></TR></TABLE>




adjust the timing, install 4 new spark plugs.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by STREETWERKZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">




adjust the timing, install 4 new spark plugs. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I have done a full tune up since the problem

 

what did you change since it last worked correctly? retrace your steps backwards.

kind of sucks, but ive had to do that a few times.

 

Ummm.... headgasket Do you think that the timing got thrown off when they decked the head?

 

very possible. its also possible you have a vacuum leak somewhere, since you had to pull the TB and the intake manifold off.


could be that the machine shop did a **** job too. you never know.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by STREETWERKZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">very possible. its also possible you have a vacuum leak somewhere, since you had to pull the TB and the intake manifold off.


could be that the machine shop did a **** job too. you never know. </TD></TR></TABLE>

It holds coolant great and the compression test showed 150-165 psi cold. I wonder if he took off a lot of material and didn't mention anything about it. I replaced the vacuum hoses with new ones friday. I am running out of ideas