There seems to be a large number of threads including one from me concerning this issue. I know I am not a huge contributor to this forum. But instead being of pissed of at every person starting a thread on this and guessing an answer at them, I will write a complete checklist and diagnosis for this.
Common problem:
1. My car bogs.
2. My car runs rough.
3. My car's rpm's go up and down up and down.
4. My car after any of these eventually dies.
Lets start off with everything that doesnt cost money.
-Grounding: Sometimes the car has grounding issues. Make sure where ever you the battery ground connected to( ex. engine manifold, block, chassis)that it is tight and there is no paint or dirt in between the connection.
-Vacuum leak: The easy ones you can hear real loud the smaller one are real faint. Listen for a hissing, sucking, or whistling sound. To fix this is easy. Look for the noise is coming from and either replace the hose, tighten a clamp, or in my case(and others that have removed EGR crap; plug a hose or check your egr block off plate.).
-Exhuast gases: Make sure your car isn't blowing out extra fumes.
Brownish-oil
Bluish-oil
Black-running rich with catalytic carbon buildup
White-running rich
White with sweet smell-Coolant
If it's oil then you have a dead/blown seal/gasket. Diagnose from there. If it's coolant blown gasket/seal. Diagnose from there. If it's gas, you have leaky injectors, bad O2, or computer is running rich.
-Ignition: Check you plugs to see if they are tight. Check to see if there is a ton of carbon on them. If yes then you're running rich. If sludge, then you have oil blow by. Make sure wires are good and on snug at the plugs and distributor. Make sure the coil wire is fit snug on the coil and distributor. Make sure the plugs are on the distributor right. If you are on the driver's side looking at the distributor. There should be two plugs on top, two on bottom, one in the middle. Now the 2 on top, the left top is plug number one. Plug number one is the plug closest to the radiator. Then after that #2 #3 #4. The top right is plug number 2. The bottom left is plug number 3. The bottom right is plug number 4. The middle is goes to the coil.
-Car computer(ECU): Follow this link or paste. It will explain where to find it and how to pull codes instead of paying a mechanic, possibly saving money on buying parts to replace stuff you don't need to.
http://www.ka24development.com/ecu_codes.html
-MAF sensor/Throttle body/IACV tube: The MAF is the metal object connected to the airbox that has a plug connected to it. Clean it with carb cleaner. Throttle body( i hope you know what this is) Clean with carb cleaner if it looks dirty. IACV tube is a metal tube next to your throttle body that runs a rubber tube (about 1/2 in thick) to the inside of your plastic intake tube. Pull tube off, spray with carb cleaner to clean.
-Timing: These links will show how to set TDC(top dead center), set timing
http://www.ka-t.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8962&highlight=setting
http://www.ka-t.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9183&highlight=setting
Once you have TDC, pull your distributor cap off the distributor. It should be held on by two bolts(10mm I believe). Now once it is off, you will see your rotor. It is flat piece of metal that rotates from the middle. While your motor is at TDC the that rotor should be sitting where plug number one would be if the cap was on.
Well that is it for now, and should solve your problems. If there is anything any knowledgeable person would like to add please do without flames.
Thanks
Joe
Common problem:
1. My car bogs.
2. My car runs rough.
3. My car's rpm's go up and down up and down.
4. My car after any of these eventually dies.
Lets start off with everything that doesnt cost money.
-Grounding: Sometimes the car has grounding issues. Make sure where ever you the battery ground connected to( ex. engine manifold, block, chassis)that it is tight and there is no paint or dirt in between the connection.
-Vacuum leak: The easy ones you can hear real loud the smaller one are real faint. Listen for a hissing, sucking, or whistling sound. To fix this is easy. Look for the noise is coming from and either replace the hose, tighten a clamp, or in my case(and others that have removed EGR crap; plug a hose or check your egr block off plate.).
-Exhuast gases: Make sure your car isn't blowing out extra fumes.
Brownish-oil
Bluish-oil
Black-running rich with catalytic carbon buildup
White-running rich
White with sweet smell-Coolant
If it's oil then you have a dead/blown seal/gasket. Diagnose from there. If it's coolant blown gasket/seal. Diagnose from there. If it's gas, you have leaky injectors, bad O2, or computer is running rich.
-Ignition: Check you plugs to see if they are tight. Check to see if there is a ton of carbon on them. If yes then you're running rich. If sludge, then you have oil blow by. Make sure wires are good and on snug at the plugs and distributor. Make sure the coil wire is fit snug on the coil and distributor. Make sure the plugs are on the distributor right. If you are on the driver's side looking at the distributor. There should be two plugs on top, two on bottom, one in the middle. Now the 2 on top, the left top is plug number one. Plug number one is the plug closest to the radiator. Then after that #2 #3 #4. The top right is plug number 2. The bottom left is plug number 3. The bottom right is plug number 4. The middle is goes to the coil.
-Car computer(ECU): Follow this link or paste. It will explain where to find it and how to pull codes instead of paying a mechanic, possibly saving money on buying parts to replace stuff you don't need to.
http://www.ka24development.com/ecu_codes.html
-MAF sensor/Throttle body/IACV tube: The MAF is the metal object connected to the airbox that has a plug connected to it. Clean it with carb cleaner. Throttle body( i hope you know what this is) Clean with carb cleaner if it looks dirty. IACV tube is a metal tube next to your throttle body that runs a rubber tube (about 1/2 in thick) to the inside of your plastic intake tube. Pull tube off, spray with carb cleaner to clean.
-Timing: These links will show how to set TDC(top dead center), set timing
http://www.ka-t.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8962&highlight=setting
http://www.ka-t.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9183&highlight=setting
Once you have TDC, pull your distributor cap off the distributor. It should be held on by two bolts(10mm I believe). Now once it is off, you will see your rotor. It is flat piece of metal that rotates from the middle. While your motor is at TDC the that rotor should be sitting where plug number one would be if the cap was on.
Well that is it for now, and should solve your problems. If there is anything any knowledgeable person would like to add please do without flames.
Thanks
Joe
