Timing belt installation questions...reinstalled 4 times (videos inside)

[Deadly BlaZe]

Some of you may remember a thread I posted up about how my friend's mechanic messed up my timing belt job. Any way to sum that up, they installed it wrong twice. The 3rd time i tried to install it myself. Timing lined up and everything. Car drove great, couple days later, vacuum readings on gauge changed and boost spooled slower. I said ok no problem, maybe it's normal. Couple days later, vacuum readings got worse and turbo barely spooled to 5 psi by 3k.

So I took it apart again. Timing belt jumped due to tensioner. Re-did it again. Lined up all timing marks. Made sure the tensioner was good (which it was), and got the belt down tight according to specs from vfaq.

Took the car out for a test drive. Car idle'd like ass on initial start up but after time it got more steady, although it still jumps up and down a bit (see video). Vacuum readings were horrendous, even after car warmed up and idle got more steady (see video below). Not a good first impression. So I took the car out for a spin. Car runs GREAT. BETTER than it's ever ran before. It did not hesitate at all, it didn't bog, and the turbo spooled to 15 psi by 3k no problem (see video). Car felt just as much power (if not more) than it ever did. Also, the car does not vibrate at all in high rpms and the exhaust tone is not rough. I also noticed it was a bit hard to start the car up on a cold start. It even died once the first few seconds of cranking it.

Now on to my question. Did I do something wrong again? Is the belt job ok and I just need to adjust something with the idle? I would appreciate any help. I'm really tired of redoing this job over and over. Here are the videos:

Vacuum while idling From my knowledge, it's supposed to sit at 18-20 psi.
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Vacuum while driving in gear It sits at about 21-22 psi with my foot of the gas. From my knowledge, it's supposed to sit at 24-25.
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Full boost by 3k rpm in 4th gear
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[90GSTBoosted]

I am having the same idle problem but mine jumps between 700 and 1500 like crazy. I have done the timing belt 4 times for other reasons and have checked the timing. It all lines up fine. I hope some of these advices work for you because I have tried all these and my idle is still crappy.

 

[EagleTalonTim]

boost leak test, and check the ISC. If you disconnect your Idle Position Sensor and the idle smooths out, then it is more than likely a leak in the intake or your ISC.

 

[blcknspo0ln]

I am having the same idle problem but mine jumps between 700 and 1500 like crazy. I have done the timing belt 4 times for other reasons and have checked the timing. It all lines up fine. I hope some of these advices work for you because I have tried all these and my idle is still crappy.

You have idle surge, the OP does NOT have idle surge. For your quick fix:
Terry's Talon Troubleshooting Tips #3 - Fast Idle (aka. Idle Surge)
http://www.vfaq.com/mods/wayback/BradBauer/engine/surge.html

 

[talintidturbo91]

that vaccum gauge needle jump indicates a misfire. it is supposed to be steady at idle.

 

[90GSTBoosted]

You are right, but it changes from surge to an a random bad idle like described by the OP. It's really strange and annoying. Good thing I am selling the car because I am sick of it.

 

[talintidturbo91]

good for you bad for the buyer. try the changing the pcv valve.