Rough idle, no power

[Flip90gsx]

Bought a 90 gsx that sat for seven years with a snapped timing belt and in pieces. Got it together a couple days ago and fired it up. Was a little rough at first but smoothed out about two minutes and ran perfectly. I drove it the next day and it idled fine but when i got on it a little it has no power. I went out this afternoon and when i fired it up it had a really rough idle and almost acted as if it wanted to die. It also sounds like there is lifter tick and a little white smoke coming out of the exhaust. Also when i started it up today the belt was squeeking like crazy and almost seemed as if one of the pulleys was stuck since it kind of looked like there was some smoke and burnt rubber smell. It stops doing this shortly after startup.

So far i've checked all the hoses for cracks/leaks, tested plugs and wires (not to spec but shouldn't be causing this), i didn't rip off the timing cover but the cam gears are still lining up, checked the cam position sensor, pulled the valve cover and checked for anything looking off and i think that is about it. Any advice on what to start checking that would give me these issues?

One other thing, should I be able to move the shaft leading to the wastegate? I can't get it to move free handed. I'm thinking it might have seized up.

 

[Vashu]

if you cant see any major mechanical issues, she might just have serious carbon build up in the engine. i use sea foam to help out with that, you can get it at any auto shop for the most part and you can use it in pretty much every major system of the car. i would first get her checked out at a shop and see if they can tell you if she has any serious problems with the engine. if they say shes mechanical sounds then try the sea form man, it will help a lot.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Terry's Talon Troubleshooting Tips #3 - Fast Idle (aka. Idle Surge)


Try this for your idle issues.

 

[Flip90gsx]

I was getting a bit frustrated checking everything out and decided to do a compression test. 169-171-170-171. Good and bad. Still idleing rough and noticed the timing belt appeared a bit loose. Pushed on it a couple times and i saw the exhaust cam jump a tooth. I slowly turned the crank and felt a little hit. I tore it down and took the belt off. Didn't see any scarring on the cams/rockers. I'm pretty sure I just lucked out.

Would I still produce decent numbers like that with the timing being off a tooth? Hopefully it solves the problem I've been having either way and the valves are still in good shape. One remaned head costs enough.

 

[mchustle]

Most of re time you can get lucky with one tooth off and not bend the valves, and with numbers like that I highly doubt there is any valve damage. I would personally just redo the timing, but make sure you get it lined up perfect. Also did you use a new tensioner, If not that may be the reason the belt came loose, and make sure the tensioner pulley is on the correct way it has to go on a certain way that's why the bolt hole is not centered. Hope this helps so and good luck getting it going.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Ok do a blt, it could be numerous things compression seems good, do it again. White smoke, hg, turbo, valve stem seals, pistons rings, could be any of those things.

 

[Flip90gsx]

I retimed it and it ran great. Let it sit for about 6 hours and it started doing the same crap all over. I ordered a tensioner and a timing belt component kit. Since it's jumped twice i'm assuming the tensioner is shot. Figured I might as well get the component kit as well. Is there anything else that would cause it to jump a tooth or two by sitting?

and make sure the tensioner pulley is on the correct way it has to go on a certain way that's why the bolt hole is not centered.

What is the correct way to line it up? I've been prying the tensioner arm up and then torquing the bolt down. I've read about a tool or 90 degree bent plyers in the two holes on there and rotating clockwise and then torquing down. Seems it would have the same tension since it will rotate clockwise and settle with the correct tension.

 

[97-TSi-Hx35]

gently pry the loose tentioner pulley with a long flat head or pry bar to pull the slack out the belt then tighten the bolt and check the marks before you pull the grenade pin. done!

 

[Flip90gsx]

must be the tensioner then. 7 day special order parts. Yay! Guess i'll tear off the turbo and try to get the wastegate freed up. If I can't i'll go dig out the t-25 and get it prepped.

 

[eclipsebandit]

One thing thats easy to check is the ECU!! mine was having the same problem and it ended up the caps were leaking on the ECU so u might check it!

 

[Flip90gsx]

One thing thats easy to check is the ECU!! mine was having the same problem and it ended up the caps were leaking on the ECU so u might check it!

This was causing the timing to jump? I'll take a peek today but I have a remanned head with new gaskets/seals all the way through. I could have missed something though.

 

[97-TSi-Hx35]

make sure that when you set the timing that the long strait section of belt along the front of the engine is taught and that all the slack is on the tentioner side, then with a pry bar push the tentioner until the belt is snug then after you triple check the marks, pull the pin! BAM done no special tools needed

 

[Flip90gsx]

Good deal. I cancelled the order today. I have a 7 bolt sitting in my garage but the tensioner is the same so i'm gonna go strip that tomorrow and hopefully the rain stops so I can slap it on my car. Bad news is the security light keeps coming on now and the head lights flipped up and won't go back down. That on top of the dash and corner lamps flickering. I'm gonna have one hell of a wiring problem to figure out once I get it running again.

Well we all know what assuming does, well just me in this case. Different tensioner so I ordered another one. Dealership doesn't even carry them, must be a rare part to replace. Not sure when it's coming in. Thanks for the input so far. Find out if it's the problem mid next week.

 

[Flip90gsx]

Ain't that a b*tch. Put the new tensioner on and all was well for three days. Went out after work and there it is again. I did notice that the intake cam looks a little funky. Is the dowl pin suppose to be flush with the cam gear? It sits a little shallow compared to the exhaust cam and when I press down on the belt the intake cam rolls back pretty easily. I'm pretty sure I torqued it to spec when I put the gears on the new cams with the remaned head. Could be wrong. Anything I'm missing or overthinking?