Need help with my 2.3!!! Running issues
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 16
From: Saskatchewan
Vacuums leak are easy to check for, get a can of starting fluid and spay it near the leak. The engine will speed up when you are near the leak. You should start by visually checking all of the small rubber hoses.
You may have a leak in the intake manifold where it bolts to the engine. Be careful with starting fluid, it's extremely flameable and the fumes can put you to sleep. I'd look for something near 3 and 4.
You may have a leak in the intake manifold where it bolts to the engine. Be careful with starting fluid, it's extremely flameable and the fumes can put you to sleep. I'd look for something near 3 and 4.
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 917
From: Wisconsin
There are a couple of ways to check spark. one of the easiest it to pull one plug, connect the plug wire and ground the plug, then crank the engine. You should have a nice blue spark. You can use the same plug on each plug wire.
I usually just us a timing light with a clamp sensor, and clamp it one each wire one at a time.
Btw, I usually wear gloves when holding a spark plug,getting shocked is another way to test the spark.
I usually just us a timing light with a clamp sensor, and clamp it one each wire one at a time.
Btw, I usually wear gloves when holding a spark plug,getting shocked is another way to test the spark.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 16
From: Saskatchewan
There are a couple of ways to check spark. one of the easiest it to pull one plug, connect the plug wire and ground the plug, then crank the engine. You should have a nice blue spark. You can use the same plug on each plug wire.
I usually just us a timing light with a clamp sensor, and clamp it one each wire one at a time.
Btw, I usually wear gloves when holding a spark plug,getting shocked is another way to test the spark.
I usually just us a timing light with a clamp sensor, and clamp it one each wire one at a time.
Btw, I usually wear gloves when holding a spark plug,getting shocked is another way to test the spark.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,059
From: Wisconsin
Yes it could be off, but that would mean the timing chain skipped a gear, which isn't that common. Check your timing, and take note on how steady the mark stays in one area. If its jumping around by 5°or10° both ways at idle, I'd think you'd may need a new chain and gears. How many miles are on this car? Are you sure you have the wires running to the correct cylinders?
EDIT: I'm thinking 302, does a 2.3 even have a chain, or does it have a belt?
EDIT: I'm thinking 302, does a 2.3 even have a chain, or does it have a belt?
Last edited by 88 orangepeel notch; Mar 11, 2014 at 08:43 AM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 16
From: Saskatchewan
[QUOTE=88 orangepeel notch;8360499]Yes it could be off, but that would mean the timing chain skipped a gear, which isn't that common. Check your timing, and take note on how steady the mark stays in one area. If its jumping around by 5°or10° both ways at idle, I'd think you'd may need a new chain and gears. How many miles are on this car? Are you sure you have the wires running to the correct cylinders?
EDIT: I'm thinking 302, does a 2.3 even have a chain, or does it have a belt?[
EDIT: I'm thinking 302, does a 2.3 even have a chain, or does it have a belt?[
Last edited by jdm009; Mar 12, 2014 at 12:50 AM.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,059
From: Wisconsin
I doubt timing jumped, but you may want to double check for piece of mind. And your sure the wires are routed correctly? I'm running out of ideas too.
A engine only needs three things to run, air, fuel, and spark. If it's spitting/ studdering, I'd think it's either fuel or a spark issue.
A engine only needs three things to run, air, fuel, and spark. If it's spitting/ studdering, I'd think it's either fuel or a spark issue.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 16
From: Saskatchewan
I doubt timing jumped, but you may want to double check for piece of mind. And your sure the wires are routed correctly? I'm running out of ideas too.
A engine only needs three things to run, air, fuel, and spark. If it's spitting/ studdering, I'd think it's either fuel or a spark issue.
A engine only needs three things to run, air, fuel, and spark. If it's spitting/ studdering, I'd think it's either fuel or a spark issue.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,059
From: Wisconsin
Well I reread this thread from the start, and your car was running good then drops power and is now running rough, if at all. 2 of the 4 plugs were black, meaning its running way rich on those 2 cylinders or your rings or valve guides are worn and burning oil. You said it doesn't blow any blue smoke so I'm thinking way rich in 2 cylinders. But your car has indirect fuel injection, meaning all cylinders get the same air/fuel ratio. Which then leads me to an incomplete burn in those 2 cylinders. But you replaced plugs, wires, cap and rotor. ????
Have you replaced the distributor? I'm not familiar with 2.3's, can you even pull codes on those? Being fuel injected, there should be codes stored somewhere.
Have you replaced the distributor? I'm not familiar with 2.3's, can you even pull codes on those? Being fuel injected, there should be codes stored somewhere.
Last edited by 88 orangepeel notch; Mar 13, 2014 at 08:14 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post