Car running weak, looking for ideas...

[DJStillman]

Hey all:

Yet another chapter in the saga that is my 91 Acclaim 2.5, 133,000 miles. Got everything all buttoned back up, went to do my timing. Got the temp to full temp, installed the timing light, pulled the coolant sensor. Fan came on, then I pulled the trigger on my timing light. Got my pulsing light, but the flywheel mark would still move around, from 6ish to 15ish degrees.

So, I decided to take it for a test drive to see how it felt. It runs pretty well, and drives ok too, as long as I use the throttle sparingly. When I try to get above 2250ish RPM, it starts growling loudly and is weak. Everything appears to be back together properly.

Any ideas? I am SOO very close to being done, and my college classes start in a week. I eagerly look forward to your thoughts and ideas.

David

 

[Ken42]

growling from where?
A dancing timing mark is probably caused by the distributor.

 

[Gary Allan]

See if the timing stabalizes when you raise the idle more.

 

[T-Keith]

Growling sounds like a timing problem. Is this a belt of chain?

 

[DJStillman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gary Allan:
See if the timing stabalizes when you raise the idle more.

---

It does. Should I time it with a higher idle?

 

[DJStillman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Drew99GT:
Did you secure the distrib, hold down tightly? If not, sounds like too much play in the distributor shaft.

---

I never undid the hold down. The shaft is very tight in it's belt.

 

[DJStillman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by T-Keith:
Growling sounds like a timing problem. Is this a belt of chain?

---

Its a belt. I replaced it around 9 months ago. Would the growl come from too high or too low a timing?

 

[ZR2RANDO]

Vacuum advance got a vac leak? maybe not advancing correctly? loose vac line connect or split end? Maybe watch the timing at idle while vac lines are moved/tested?

 

[DJStillman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by ZR2RANDO:
Vacuum advance got a vac leak? maybe not advancing correctly? loose vac line connect or split end? Maybe watch the timing at idle while vac lines are moved/tested?

---

From everything I have read about my car, I do not have vacuum advance. How can I determine this for a certainty?

 

[ZR2RANDO]

I was asking that question in general, don't know about that vehicle in particular. If there is any effect of vacuum on the timing at all though, any leak would make itself known by fluctuating timing, would be similar to any internal movement in the dist cap.
Probably still a good idea to check vac lines regardless, high vac exists at idle and steady highway speeds, so if there is a leak, that is when it is most noticeable.
Waiting to hear the answer...
Rando

 

[Drew99GT]

Did you secure the distrib, hold down tightly? If not, sounds like too much play in the distributor shaft.

 

[DJStillman]

Well, I did as was suggested on Allpar, to increase the idle a little to tryt my timing, and the timing steadied to 12 degrees like the hood sticker says. I also ran some cleaner through the throttle body, and got a ton of really dark smoke. Usually when I do this, the smoke is white, so I guess I knocked some crud loose this time.

I took it for a good drive tonight. It moved along pretty well, still making an air growl when I step on it, but not as bad as it was last time I tried.

After it warms up, it runs pretty smooth. Only real visible problem left is I have a high idle, between 1000 and 1250 rpm in park, and about 800 to 850 in gear.

So, sound like I am about ready to use my Acclaim now?

Thanks guys.

D