After Headgasket Engine Runs Horrible, Low Vacuum, Lots of Shaking!

[scottr126]

Alright I just bought a 1991 Eclipse TSi FWD for $500 because it had a blown headgasket so I put in a new headgasket and just got the car running again. At the same time I also did a vacuum hose removal. I just started up the car and its running like shit. Everything is good, there are no codes being thrown and to keep the idle anywhere near reasonable you have to have the idle adjusting screw all the way tight. Also one thing I noticed is that at idle the engine shakes alot and only has about 12 in vacuum. But when I drive it and floor it the moment it hits boost the car is fine, so I dont think its a boost leak. What could it be?????

 

[BISHILVR]

t-belt marks off???? maybe it jumped a tooth....how about the ignition timing?

 

[scottr126]

I was thinking exactly the same thing. But I already re-did the timing belt and its Perfect and I also checked the ignition timing and its 8 degrees or 5 with that thing connected. Any other ideas????

 

[RoasT BeeF]

Low vaccum could be due to having the exhaust cam retard at least a tooth or leaks around the intake mani, throttle body or misc hoses. Hunt around with some carb and choke to find it. If the car is shaking a lot after doing the t-belt first thing I would check is to make sure the balance shafts are in phase. Read the timing write up over at www.vfaq.com if you havent.

BTW tightening the BISS will make the car idle slower, loosening it will make it idle higher so I would start there.