Car wont idle well.

[PhR0Z3N_PhL4M3]

Engine: Ka24E
Problem: wont idle, runs very rough

Allright, after alot of messing around I finally got the timing down and it will start up, but the problem is it wont idle for crap, and if I give it any gas its sounds really bad (loud and very, very poppy from the exhaust (2.5" from downpipe back)) it doesnt feel right at all, very rough and if I take the oil filler cap off I can see some very faint smoke coming from inside the valve cover. I fixed my problem with the oil and coolant mixing, and I checked the oil and it is fine, I have two spark plugs that are cross threaded (previous owner did it) but they should still spark (they are pretty far down there) Any clues? what causes normal won't-idle problems.. etc

And I havent put a timing light to it yet, but it should be very close to right on.

let me know what you think

Andrew

[P4rD0nM3]

What spark plug are you using?

[shayrgob240]

I say helicoil the head.

[PhR0Z3N_PhL4M3]

aye that is in the plans, but would that cause my problem?

Edit: and the spark plugs are just new OEM ones

[Skidmark240sx]

Your timing still could be off. Sounds like the same problem I had when I put my ka24e back together. I thought the timing was dead on without using a timing light and it ran like crap with a crazy ass idle. Turns out the timing chain was off by two teeth. And oh yea check all your vaccum lines too.

[PhR0Z3N_PhL4M3]

I bet it could be the timing chain, I had to put it on with the front cover in place, and it wasnt easy, I dont have any time anymore cuz college is starting, so off to a shop it goes. But I bet its the timing chain...

[NICK_240sx]

I have the same problem, I changed the mass air flow sensor, and the plugs, and wires, and cap and rotor, the oil, brand new injectors, and checked the computer for codes. It still idles horrible, and when it runs in the first 5 mins or so it backfires and pops, and if I give a little gas, it wants to just die, unless I mash it, then it'll go. After it warms up it still won't idle well, bobs down low, etc. if you figure anything out, let me know! but those thing I tried are recomendations from other people.

[HalveBlue]

I'm 90% sure your timing is still off.

Same thing happened to me. I was absolutely certain that my idle was spot on, yet the car wouldn't turn over.

So I took the valve cover off and checked everything again and put it back to spec. Sure enough, after doing all that my idle was perfect.

Also, make sure you're running good spark plugs.

[acgourley]

Your timing still could be off. Sounds like the same problem I had when I put my ka24e back together. I thought the timing was dead on without using a timing light and it ran like crap with a crazy ass idle. Turns out the timing chain was off by two teeth. And oh yea check all your vaccum lines too.


oh my god, thank you. That explains whats wrong with my car I think. Mines off by two teeth after I did some work on the guides...and its sounds like a diesel. I was thinking that wasn't the problem since i figured it has been off by 2 teeth for a while, but maybe in fact it hasn't...

[TanbouTaTsubasa]

how do you adjust the timing chain....?

[HalveBlue]

Easiest way to check how to set timing to factory spec: check a Factory Service Manual.

Or you could search for the half a dozen or so threads that have been made about adjusting timing within the last six months.

[mistaanime]

pop your hood..and you see your intake pipe has two vaccum hoses on it..its close to the throttle..pull the bigger on off, but not pull it off all the way..turn on your car..and let it idle..go back to that hose you left off a lil and spray intake cleaner in it as the car struggles use the throttle to keep the car alive and just keep spraying...(theres actually a write up on this..) next clean your maf, clean you throttle, check spark plug wires and lasty..ecu may go bad..mine did..and i swapped it..get a used one on this fourm or ebay.

[TanbouTaTsubasa]

my friend seems to be convinced my MAFS is garbage. he looked over my failed smog reports and says I run lean for all my idling tests and rich during accel... which just confuses the shit out of me. my check engine light is playing peekaboo with me now too...

[ni5mo240]

Check for proper vacuum hose routing in the fsm and that you don't have any vacuum leaks.

[johngriff]

Ok, new mission for you tommarow.

-Buy vacum guage
-Buy helicoils
-Buy compression tester
-Buy Multimeter
-Download FSM

Get all of the above, then return to zilvia.

[TanbouTaTsubasa]

where can I get the FSM?

[TanbouTaTsubasa]

whats a helicoil? and a compression tester?

[HalveBlue]

FSM: www.camel-towing.com

For questions concerning tools: Search the interweb. Ask your local auto parts store.

[johngriff]

Go into kragen, they will show you.

Helicoil will let you repair the spark plug threads.

Compression tester is a device used to test the compression (and overall condition) of the engine.