need some help not running right...

[LaserX]

i just rebuilt my 1.8L and it isn't running right now.. it runs but it misses really bad so it seams... i got a video of how it runs... dsmtuners : 93' Laser 1.8L Runing problems maybe someone can help me i really need to get it running...

 

[LaserX]

bump?

 

[thesmartestyet]

could be the timing?

 

[Twinky-Ninja]

have you verified your timing marks? It sounds like timing is off.

 

[LaserX]

Yeah, I've checked the timing about 20 times now. I've moved the timing a tooth forward, and a tooth backwards it don't help one bit. I've re-timed it about 4 times now just double checking every thing making sure i didn't skip something... I didn't pull the engine out when i over hauled it. My dad wouldn't let me use the shop and do it and he said it'd be a lot faster to do it in the car, I've replaced all the bearings and stuff... I dunno what to do with it at this point, i think i should have just replaced the oil pan gasket and dumped some oil in it and sold it...

 

[tqmx1]

Well it fired so I am guessing you have at least 1 if not 2 cylinders fireing. If you lined it up TDC#1- #4 is 180 degrees opiset it. So that leaves 2&3 try reversing those 2 wires in the cap and see what happens.

Also have you checked the cap to see if it has any carbon tracks in or on it? That can also give you fits.

 

[Blitz_86]

check to see if you got the plug wires on right, do a compression check like if the timein was off enought to hit some valve or something. ya might find something might not just a thought

 

[LaserX]

it wont matter if the timing is off or not, it is a non conflicting engine... I've checked the cap many times for defects, I've checked all my wires, put new wires on, new plugs... I've reset the distributer many times as well, in the spot that it is in is the only spot it'll run in...

 

[Blitz_86]

it was just a thought but i have seen sohc bend valve when they jump a couple of teeth of time but it as a thought, fouled plug maybe it sounds like your not hitting on all 4 if the timing is not off

 

[tqmx1]

Well if every thing is A/ok under the hood it's time to move someplace else like inside the center concel. Remove and check the ECU to see if it has bad caps. The 2.0s arnt the only ones that suffer from the problem.

 

[LaserX]

could you get me an how to or some more information on what I'm doing with the ecu, and what to look for as far as the caps go and checking them please? If i cant get it figured out tonight/tomorrow then i got an appointment set up at a shop to get it looked at but money is tighter than a ticks a** right now and i really don't wanna spent any money i don't have to and I'd much rather do it all my self rather than have some guy my dad knows do it.. I don't trust many people at all with my cars....

 

[tqmx1]

Run a search for 1G ECU CAPS and I think it will get you going in the right direction.

Taking it to a shop that knows ZERO about DSMs is throwing good $$ after bad.

 

[LaserX]

well i checked my caps and they look perfectly fine... now where to... hmm i guess it is going to the shop.. i'm so excited! !!!!

 

[tqmx1]

Let us know what they find.

 

[LaserX]

will do! I went to start it a bit ago, and the computer started buzzing and making all kinds of weird noises and then it wouldn't even attempt to turn the engine over, I'm pretty sure it is my battery tough... so it is on the charger now and we'll see what it brings after i charge it up.. for now I'm going to work on my faithful caprice

 

[LaserX]

Well the car is in the shop, he was worked on it two days now and cant figure anything out, he thinks it is the maf sensor, so i went and got another one, and he said he'll try it first thing in the morning... Two days, all day long and still nothing.... How did i figure that this would happen, I'll have a huge bill and he wont be able to tell me anything more than i already knew....

 

[tqmx1]

Well if the MAF does not do it it's back to the ECU. That one unit talks to everything on the engine so if it goes down nothing will work correct.

Check on Ebay for a 91>94 federal 1.8 ECUs. You do not want a 1990 unit or a 2.0 (they are not the same). It will be way less than what you are paying the shop to throw parts at it that are not doing any good.

Less than a month ago I picked up a 90RS T For $400 . The people had spent BIG$$$ with no results. I took a ECU out of my other 90 bolted it in and drove it home.

Good luck with what ever you decide.

 

[LaserX]

Well the maf didn't work, so I'm prob gonna go steal a computer, distributer, and tps out of an eclipse down at the yard.. Hopefully it works.. The car fires right off first time don't even hesitate, but it pops and crackles like no other below 2,000 rpm.. I'm really wanting to get this thing done, i need to get my self out of debt but my boss isn't paying me... I'm not liking how this is all turning out.......

 

[tqmx1]

Just remember what I said in post #12 about good $$ after bad. My bet still goes for the ECU.

Is there any way to fire up the junk yard car before you yank everything out ? Just to make sure they work.

When you get done you will say AW S$%^ how did I miss that.

 

[LaserX]

no way to fire up the car at the yard... I yanked the computer, tps, and distributer. none of them helped it one bit. The guy at the shop says there is a black box in front of the computer that has some green wires running to it, he was looking around in the engine bay and noticed that there are a bunch of sensors with the same color green wires that run to it. I told him i'd run home and try to figure out what the black box was. Can someone tell me what this box is? it is about 3x3 inches square. It sets right under the radio.. Thankz for the help..

Fireshaker

 

[tqmx1]

Turn signal/hazard flasher. Just to make sure try the flashers and see if the box clicks.

 

[LaserX]

Well F$#@ i dunno what to do at this point, I've tried almost every thing... I got a $400 rebuild kit into that engine I'd hate to just push it out of the way and for get about it... GR I'm really starting to hate this car more and more... 5 months now I've been working on it... Any other ideas? I guess i could try another computer and just keep trying the dang things...

 

[LaserX]

I dont know what to do. Do you all have anymore ideas? I'm going to tell the shop tomorrow to try and retard the timing a bit. It looses all of it's fire below 2,000 rpm... i'm clueless

 

[LaserX]

Well, i got the car back from the shop, if your WOT then it runs like a champ. If your running 70 down the highway in 4th it runs fine... But taking off or slowing down after it drops below 1500rpm it trys to die. After running for 10 min or so drivin it around i loose oil pressure. I know i got an oil pan gasket leak, other than that no leaks. What could be causing this problem? I put a new oil pump on it when i rebuilt it. Any ideas? Thank you!

Clayton D. Fireshaker