Not Another Alertnator Question

[ClutchKickThatBitch]

So i was searching online on how to find out if your alternator bad, because my car sometime has trouble starting i sometime will have to give it gas and have the clutch in at the same time for it to start.so i guessed it must be my alternator and so when i did a search i came across this alternator test called the cable test and this is how to do it

"With the vehicle running, disconnect the negative cable from the battery. If the vehicle keeps running, the battery could be bad. If the vehicle dies, the alternator is probably bad. Most major auto parts stores can test batteries and alternators."

and i did that but my car stayed on like a champ and i know its not my battery i just bought a new one...so my question is what can it be could it be, maybe its my timing can it be off, because when i do start it some black smoke comes out the exhaust so i know im running rich and also if i tap the gas my car rev will go up but drop way below my idiol and it will start to bog. right now my car idiol at about 1800 and it drops to almost 750-800 when i tap the gas..so any information will be very helpful

[John_R]

Your alternator sounds like it's good. I have jumped a car without a battery in it at all and drove it around the block.

Definitely sounds like your timing or idle control is all messed up. Maybe your not getting very good spark or something. Check your plugs, wires, distributor, and timing . Maybe you have a faulty injector...

Just a few guesses. You should get a FSM and start checking things.

[naed240sx]

Dude just drive it to an autozone and they will test the alternator for you.

[ClutchKickThatBitch]

Your alternator sounds like it's good. I have jumped a car without a battery in it at all and drove it around the block.

Definitely sounds like your timing or idle control is all messed up. Maybe your not getting very good spark or something. Check your plugs, wires, distributor, and timing . Maybe you have a faulty injector...

Just a few guesses. You should get a FSM and start checking things.


Yeah im gonna check my timing this weekend and my sparks and i dont have the FSM but ill just download it and see whats up thats for the guesses +1


Dude just drive it to an autozone and they will test the alternator for you.

hahaha i wanted to try that test first to see if that really worked, i was also gonna asked if anyone know if this test really work like how reliable is it

[ericcastro]

...... and have the clutch in at the same time for it to start.

Most 240's start with the clutch in I believe. Mine does. It has a switch that wont let you start it otherwise


because when i do start it some black smoke comes out the exhaust

sounds like your pistons seals/rings might be leaking, oil getting into the cylinders. thats what black smoke usually means. ur burning oil


right now my car idiol at about 1800 and it drops to almost 750-800 when i tap the gas..so any information will be very helpful

1800 is high for an idle. When you first start it, it should be up in that range, but then it will drop down to under 1000 at normal idle.



I think you should pull your spark plugs and check if there fouled. either oil on em or to much gas. spark plug boxes usually have a little picture index on the back that you can cross examin your dirty plugs with. It will help you identify, oil on plugs, running rich, etc....

Sounds like your new to the car game, welcome :) get a socket set from sears. a open ended wrench set. buy new spark plus at auto zone or were ever, and get the socket adapter that fits.

replace your spark plugs first. see if it runs better.
(when you put the new plugs in, turn them by hand till they have gotten in a few turns. If you try and use the socket to soon, and they havent threaded up right, you will strip out/cross thread you socket holes and then your really f*cked!)

[ClutchKickThatBitch]

Most 240's start with the clutch in I believe. Mine does. It has a switch that wont let you start it otherwise




sounds like your pistons seals/rings might be leaking, oil getting into the cylinders. thats what black smoke usually means. ur burning oil




1800 is high for an idle. When you first start it, it should be up in that range, but then it will drop down to under 1000 at normal idle.



I think you should pull your spark plugs and check if there fouled. either oil on em or to much gas. spark plug boxes usually have a little picture index on the back that you can cross examin your dirty plugs with. It will help you identify, oil on plugs, running rich, etc....

Sounds like your new to the car game, welcome :) get a socket set from sears. a open ended wrench set. buy new spark plus at auto zone or were ever, and get the socket adapter that fits.

replace your spark plugs first. see if it runs better.
(when you put the new plugs in, turn them by hand till they have gotten in a few turns. If you try and use the socket to soon, and they havent threaded up right, you will strip out/cross thread you socket holes and then your really f*cked!)


well yeah when i start it, it does stay at around 1500-1800 and yes i am new to the car game. my 240 is my first real car.so yeah i need to change my oil and everything this weekend so ill change the plugs too thanks for the help +1

[ericcastro]

np., that is too high for your normal driving idle.

Your going through alot of gas like that.

And try adjusting the timing a bit.

see if you got a friend around that works at a shop or something, to give you a little bit of a hand too.

[ClutchKickThatBitch]

np., that is too high for your normal driving idle.

Your going through alot of gas like that.

And try adjusting the timing a bit.

see if you got a friend around that works at a shop or something, to give you a little bit of a hand too.

yeah i know my friends say its kinda high its been like that since i got bought it. i bought it about 2 months ago so im gonna ask around and see if anyone knows a shop where i can get my timing fixed, but thanks for the help

[blueshark123]

sounds like your pistons seals/rings might be leaking, oil getting into the cylinders. thats what black smoke usually means. ur burning oil


Isnt black smoke mean ur running rich

[ClutchKickThatBitch]

Isnt black smoke mean ur running rich

thats what i thought too. I did a search for it and it told me im running rich

[posdrift240]

Ya Black Smoke is Def b/c your getting too much Fuel!! Not Oil. Piston Rings are Fine, (Geez guys are Dumb)

It really does not sound like a timing problem either. My guess is MAF, WTS, Fuel pressure regulator, and could possibly be dirty injectors. First try running some injector cleaner and cleaning your MAFS. This is the cheapest Mods.

If your still not sure just have a Real Mechanic look at it. Not some guy thats workes from his driveway and knows how to run the internet and is Car GOD give you advise.

[posdrift240]

also you having to tap the Gas for the Idle to go down sounds like a Sticky Throttle body. You need to buy some throttle body cleaner spray and spray the Inside of your throttle body. More than Likely it has carbon build up on it causing the High Idle.

[ClutchKickThatBitch]

Ya Black Smoke is Def b/c your getting too much Fuel!! Not Oil. Piston Rings are Fine, (Geez guys are Dumb)

It really does not sound like a timing problem either. My guess is MAF, WTS, Fuel pressure regulator, and could possibly be dirty injectors. First try running some injector cleaner and cleaning your MAFS. This is the cheapest Mods.

If your still not sure just have a Real Mechanic look at it. Not some guy thats workes from his driveway and knows how to run the internet and is Car GOD give you advise.

hahaha ok well i found that FSM online and im gonna take a look at it this weekend and see what might be wrong with my car hopefully its nothing big.

[ericcastro]

Black or bluish smoke comes from oil in the combustion chamber. you can also get black smoke from running rich, but its different, and usually you would really smell it. also there is a difference of when it smokes black. On throttle or off throttle is important.

white smoke would be water in the combustion chamber, usually a blown head gasket.

If taking it to get serviced is easier for you then just do it. sometimes it nicer just to take it in and wash your hands of the problem. i would also ask them to do a compression test while you are there. Just to double check those pistons.

My bet is the timing is turned and the idle is turned up in an attempt to hide another problem.

keep us posted on the outcome.

and to the OP, Look at the rep and post of the person you are taking advice from. Its a fairly good indication of the person and there abilities. thats what the rep bar is for.

[posdrift240]

Black or bluish smoke comes from oil in the combustion chamber. you can also get black smoke from running rich, but its different, and usually you would really smell it. also there is a difference of when it smokes black. On throttle or off throttle is important.

white smoke would be water in the combustion chamber, usually a blown head gasket.

If taking it to get serviced is easier for you then just do it. sometimes it nicer just to take it in and wash your hands of the problem. i would also ask them to do a compression test while you are there. Just to double check those pistons.

My bet is the timing is turned and the idle is turned up in an attempt to hide another problem.

keep us posted on the outcome.

and to the OP, Look at the rep and post of the person you are taking advice from. Its a fairly good indication of the person and there abilities. thats what the rep bar is for.

I have such a neg rep B/c I dont take shit from people and state my opinions very Open!! Im no 240 expert but I do know my shit and I do know the difference between a oil burning vs a Gas burning smoke. Your a dumb ass and prob are one of these fucktards on here that think they know everything about everything and try to go all technical about stupid stuff like this when more than likely its something stupid and simple. I bet if I met you in person you could not tell me the difference between an oil ring and a O-ring!!:loco:

Let me guess you own a garage too right?:fawkd:

Point is dude We could set here online making guesses to whats wrong for a month and never find the problem. Your only option of hope is let someone Local that knows there shit take a look at it.

[ClutchKickThatBitch]

Black or bluish smoke comes from oil in the combustion chamber. you can also get black smoke from running rich, but its different, and usually you would really smell it. also there is a difference of when it smokes black. On throttle or off throttle is important.

white smoke would be water in the combustion chamber, usually a blown head gasket.

If taking it to get serviced is easier for you then just do it. sometimes it nicer just to take it in and wash your hands of the problem. i would also ask them to do a compression test while you are there. Just to double check those pistons.

My bet is the timing is turned and the idle is turned up in an attempt to hide another problem.

keep us posted on the outcome.

and to the OP, Look at the rep and post of the person you are taking advice from. Its a fairly good indication of the person and there abilities. thats what the rep bar is for.

yeah i read that blue and white smoke are the bad ones to have and black is ok, but ill work on my car this weekend and see whats up. by any chance do you know where i can get my timing fix all my friends know is where to get it checked, im looking for a place in the OC area.

[ericcastro]

Sorry man. I only know shops up here in the LA area. Don't make it down to the OC much.
Usually something like timing can be done by a mom and pop/privatly owned shop pretty easily. Its still gonna cost a bit though. California's hourly rate is like twice that of WA's. I was amazed the first time I hit the shop up down here.

[ClutchKickThatBitch]

Ok man thanks ill keep looking around see if anyone else on zilvia knows where i can get it done in the OC area..

[Phlip]

I have such a neg rep B/c I dont take shit from people and state my opinions very Open!! Im no 240 expert but I do know my shit and I do know the difference between a oil burning vs a Gas burning smoke. Your a dumb ass and prob are one of these fucktards on here that think they know everything about everything and try to go all technical about stupid stuff like this when more than likely its something stupid and simple. I bet if I met you in person you could not tell me the difference between an oil ring and a O-ring!!:loco:

Let me guess you own a garage too right?:fawkd:

Point is dude We could set here online making guesses to whats wrong for a month and never find the problem. Your only option of hope is let someone Local that knows there shit take a look at it.
No, the point is, I told you to knock off the bullshit:
http://www.zilvia.net/f/showpost.php?p=1992472&postcount=49
Now I will restrict your access for, say, 2 weeks. This will offer you the chance to get it right, becoming a productive member.

[posdrift240]

No, the point is, I told you to knock off the bullshit:
http://www.zilvia.net/f/showpost.php?p=1992472&postcount=49
Now I will restrict your access for, say, 2 weeks. This will offer you the chance to get it right, becoming a productive member.

:aw: :keke: :fawk2: