Timing Belt Change, Now HESITATION!

[WhiteCloud]

Well after finding out that my water pump wasn't my overheating problem, I had to put the timing belt back on and get the car started. After a few tries, the car fired up, idling beautifully. However, when driving around, if I try to accelerate quickly (not floor it, just give it a little gas), the car hesitates and kind of shudders--almost like I threw it into too high of a gear and I'm trying to accelerate from 20mph in 5th gear.

I don't know what's causing the shuddering/shaking problem. If I accelerate really slowly and baby the car as I speed up, it drives smoothly and is fine. Anyone have any tips?

 

[WhiteCloud]

Still having serious shuddering problems when I give the car gas...in neutral the car will rev fine up to 5k rpm, probably higher without shuddering. It is only when I have the car in gear that it shudders, almost like someone learning to drive stick and jerking the car, but not as severe. It makes a sound similar to upshifting at too low of rpms, and creates a similar shuddering vibration.

I am thinking about trying to re-time the engine tomorrow...do you think I have timing off one tooth or something? The cam sprockets seem to line up perfectly, but I've heard the crank sprocket should be left 1/2 tooth before top dead center...should I try to retime the engine like this tomorrow? Any help would be appreciated!

 

[MattnGsx]

Wow, that happend to me too. My balance belt snapped and got jammed. Though hopefully your timing is just off...

-Matt

 

[WhiteCloud]

I re-timed the engine, and everything lines up properly even after 6 revolutions. The oil pump sprocket is lining up just right...I realize that it is on the same shaft as one of the balance shaft pulleys. The balance shaft belt does not appear to be jammed and is not broken.

Like I said, when the car is at idle or revved up in neutral, the car is fine. When I am driving around in gear, it is like a slipping clutch almost...jerking around and not wanting to accelerate, shuddering even.

*One extra note--a buddy of mine was the one who timed the engine first--assured me that he had everything lined up right. As it turns out, he had the cam timing 180* off The car wouldn't start, obviously, but he did try to start it with the engine timed like this. Now that I've re-timed the engine, it runs great at idle and in neutral. When it's in gear, however, it does this shuddering thing. I don't suppose this could be caused by bent valves could it?

 

[turboholic]

-Watch the boost gauge, does the problem appear as the needle of the boost gauge climp above zero?

 

[WhiteCloud]

Problem Solved! My problem ended up being one plug wire with cracked insulation--the wire was exposed and grounding itself out on the valve cover. New plug wires were installed and no stuttering or jerking around anymore!

 

[DSMLoverFromUA]

Hey dont want to steal the thread but i own a 95 Galant and i expirience the the same problem. Everytime i accelerate the car just jork and rpm fall and it looks like i cant drive stick but i have an auto. After i get to arround highway speeds it stops. Sometimes when i switch lanes on high speeds it happens too. Some one help i need to sell the car and it is f..cking up on me in the past two weeks.

I thought the following was the problem

1.TPS
2.Throtle Body needs to be cleaned.
3.Something is blocking in the intake or something like that.
4.Injectors
5.Distributer
Could it be spurk plug wire?

How did you realize that it was the wire?

Thanks Mike

 

[WhiteCloud]

Take a close look at your plug wires--if there are cracks in the insulation, or parts that are melted where the wire itself my be exposed, your wire/s could be grounding out on your valve cover or elsewhere. If so, replace the wires.

It could also be your spark plugs, if you have one or more bad or fouled plugs, so replace those too. Good luck, hopefully the plug wires are to blame!