Just replaced head gasket...

[1991_talon]

Okay as stated I just changed my head gasket. I put everything back on and even had to retime the car. The car starts idles fine after it gets warmed up, but when reved to say 2k rpms it sometimes hesitates to get back down to idle. My check engine light is on any ideas what it could be? Please don't say timing I marked the teeth and belt on the camshaft gears and double checked the positioning of the teeth after starting the car.

 

[Boostjunki84]

What kind of head gasket did you use? Did you use new headbolts/studs? Does it drive normal during acceleration and cruise? Any additional issues other than the CEL and hesitation on decel? Double check all your vaccum lines as well.

 

[96awd]

Your profile says you're using link. If you had a previous tune on the car, it was erased when you unplugged the battery. Throw the tune back on the car and see if that helps any.

 

[1991_talon]

What kind of head gasket did you use? Did you use new headbolts/studs? Does it drive normal during acceleration and cruise? Any additional issues other than the CEL and hesitation on decel? Double check all your vaccum lines as well.

Nothing special autozone rebuild gasket not sure of brand . I reused my ARP studs yes it drove great before this on 24 psi. Checked all the vaccum lines I can't see anything I missed. My fuel rail is leaking a little due to rushing on my part I am fixing this tomorrow.

Your profile says you're using link. If you had a previous tune on the car, it was erased when you unplugged the battery. Throw the tune back on the car and see if that helps any.

I was afraid of this yeah uhm, I had a professional tune from Jay Racing. I ordered a serial to usb connector so I can try to tune, but I do not have experience with tuning and I only have 2.5

 

[LiquidX]

So, what's the CEL say? That's the best thin to check before posting if you have one so ohers can actually answer a problem thatthe ECU is noticing.

 

[1991_talon]

So, what's the CEL say? That's the best thin to check before posting if you have one so ohers can actually answer a problem thatthe ECU is noticing.

I have not had a chance to borrow a tester, and all parts stores were closed when I finished. Is the fuel rail a possibility for a CEL?

 

[LiquidX]

There are a few sensors that get disconnected when removing the head. Just start by verifying they are all connected and fully inserted. I cannot give an answer until it's tested for what its readout is.

The only electrical parts for the fuel line are the injector connectors. Running rich or lean IIRC will throw a CEL but that's from the o2 sensor.

 

[1991_talon]

There are a few sensors that get disconnected when removing the head. Just start by verifying they are all connected and fully inserted. I cannot give an answer until it's tested for what its readout is.

The only electrical parts for the fuel line are the injector connectors. Running rich or lean IIRC will throw a CEL but that's from the o2 sensor.

It is possible I am running rich on 850 injectors among other things if my tune was erased correct? Good insight I will try my best to come back with a CEL code tomorrow.

 

[LiquidX]

Yes, unless you had the v3 chip, anytime power is cut from the ECU, you will loose your tune.

 

[BrokenTsi]

Yes, unless you had the v3 chip, anytime power is cut from the ECU, you will loose your tune.

Im pretty sure that only applies to 2g's. Ive pulled out my battery a million times, and my ecu has sat in my living room for over a year, I've never lost my last tune.

1991_Talon, have you checked to see if your CAS is 180* out of phase? Also, can you attach a log for me so I can look at it? Have you checked the base timing with a timing light?

If you have ecmlink like your profile says, you can view what the CEL code is. Autozone or Advanced won't be able to test your CEL.

 

[1991_talon]

Im pretty sure that only applies to 2g's. Ive pulled out my battery a million times, and my ecu has sat in my living room for over a year, I've never lost my last tune.

1991_Talon, have you checked to see if your CAS is 180* out of phase? Also, can you attach a log for me so I can look at it? Have you checked the base timing with a timing light?

If you have ecmlink like your profile says, you can view what the CEL code is. Autozone or Advanced won't be able to test your CEL.

I can get you a log, but you will have to wait until my adapter comes in as I do not have a serial port. I did not use a timing light for my timing, but it idles at literally the exact rpms as before when it evens out and the teeth are always in sequence with each other on the camshaft gears.

Also not off 180 because I marked the belt. I understand you can run at 180 but this is not an issue.

 

[LiquidX]

Im pretty sure that only applies to 2g's. Ive pulled out my battery a million times, and my ecu has sat in my living room for over a year, I've never lost my last tune.

Thanks bud, I actually haven't seen that until now. I read over the v2 info and the 1g had a larger memory board which allowed persistent memory unlike the 2g version.

 

[1991_talon]

Thanks bud, I actually haven't seen that until now. I read over the v2 info and the 1g had a larger memory board which allowed persistent memory unlike the 2g version.

New information to me as well, makes my life one hell of alot easier

Im still confused on my CEL tho .

I will keep you gentlemen updated thank you for all of your advice, I need sleep so I can examine this issue more thoroughly.

 

[BrokenTsi]

Well, the CAS has nothing to do with the timing marks on the belt. Its still something that needs to be checked.

Here's how to do it.

1. place #1 piston at TDC.

2. remove CAS

3. align the notch on the end of the sensor with the dot/dimple, and reinstall it into the camshaft

You need to finish the headgasket job by checking the base timing with a timing light.

Engine Timing

These two issues will probably not cause a CEL, however. But it still needs to be checked and fixed to properly diagnose your car.

Even if all the timing marks are aligned just as they were, you can't assume that its exactly the same. Even if you didn't remove the CAS, or if you did and put it back in the same spot.

Im pretty sure Radioshack has those adapters right in stock so you don't have to order one.

Thanks bud, I actually haven't seen that until now. I read over the v2 info and the 1g had a larger memory board which allowed persistent memory unlike the 2g version.

I honestly didnt know that this happened to 2g's until you said something. And I never looked into why a 1g ecu retains the log, I just never thought about it.

 

[96awd]

The ecu is also news to me. I thought it was for both 1g and 2g's. I know when I unplugged my 2g's battery, my tune would be erased then I would just have to reload it again from my laptop and all was good again.

 

[1991_talon]

Sorry I took so long boys I had to replace the timing belt and retime everything, my old belt was shot and was moving teeth. She lives again

 

[AK Maniak]

Was that the issue or is everything still the same

 

[1991_talon]

Yeah my belt was so bad it had holes in it! Head gasket is cake.

 

[margmiller26]

If the check engine light is on because of gasket issues, it will turn off the next time you turn on the engine after having it repaired or changed. However, if the check engine light was triggered by something else, then it has to be checked right away before it further damages the engine.