What's the problem here??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 403
Likes: 7
From: Space Coast Florida
What's the problem here??
I have lower idle then normal but i can still rev up while in park. When I put in drive I stay at low rpm's and stall out if I don't constantly give gas. There is also loud knocking in engine and I'm pretty sure the timing is off. Is it spark plugs or something else?? Only thing to happen in the 10 hours that it sat would have to be heavy rain.. that is all...
PS I think the water pump is shot at least the fan bearings are.. Could this cause it? Gas lines also need cleaned they have hardened gas in them and fuel filters are always getting replaced due to clogs can this cause knocking problem too or is it something else??
Any help appreciated.
PS I think the water pump is shot at least the fan bearings are.. Could this cause it? Gas lines also need cleaned they have hardened gas in them and fuel filters are always getting replaced due to clogs can this cause knocking problem too or is it something else??
Any help appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
You have quite a few issues from the sounds of it.
First, if you hear loud knocking, you need to isolate it and figure out what is knocking. If it's a worn rod bearing and the rod end is knocking around the crank journal then you're looking at a complete overhaul.
Drain the oil through a coffee filter and look for metal shavings. I just use a coffee filter in a large funnel.
If the knock is something simple like a fuel pump or water pump then you can narrow that down using a long wooden dowel as a listening device. Use it to 'hear' the various parts of the engine. Put it to your ear and different parts of the engine with it running to see where the noise is loudest.
With the fan belt removed can you wiggle the fan shaft up and down and sideways? If yes, it's bad. If no, it's probably fine.
Fuel cannot 'harden' but it does sound like your whole fuel system needs to be cleaned and that might mean dropping the gas tank to clean it out. Flush the fuel lines and replace all the rubber lines.
At your in park idle with the engine warm, what is the RPM on the tach? If it's too low it'll bog and die so maybe you need to simply raise the idle a little bit using the idle adjustment screw.
First, if you hear loud knocking, you need to isolate it and figure out what is knocking. If it's a worn rod bearing and the rod end is knocking around the crank journal then you're looking at a complete overhaul.
Drain the oil through a coffee filter and look for metal shavings. I just use a coffee filter in a large funnel.
If the knock is something simple like a fuel pump or water pump then you can narrow that down using a long wooden dowel as a listening device. Use it to 'hear' the various parts of the engine. Put it to your ear and different parts of the engine with it running to see where the noise is loudest.
With the fan belt removed can you wiggle the fan shaft up and down and sideways? If yes, it's bad. If no, it's probably fine.
Fuel cannot 'harden' but it does sound like your whole fuel system needs to be cleaned and that might mean dropping the gas tank to clean it out. Flush the fuel lines and replace all the rubber lines.
At your in park idle with the engine warm, what is the RPM on the tach? If it's too low it'll bog and die so maybe you need to simply raise the idle a little bit using the idle adjustment screw.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 403
Likes: 7
From: Space Coast Florida
You have quite a few issues from the sounds of it.
First, if you hear loud knocking, you need to isolate it and figure out what is knocking. If it's a worn rod bearing and the rod end is knocking around the crank journal then you're looking at a complete overhaul.
Drain the oil through a coffee filter and look for metal shavings. I just use a coffee filter in a large funnel.
If the knock is something simple like a fuel pump or water pump then you can narrow that down using a long wooden dowel as a listening device. Use it to 'hear' the various parts of the engine. Put it to your ear and different parts of the engine with it running to see where the noise is loudest.
With the fan belt removed can you wiggle the fan shaft up and down and sideways? If yes, it's bad. If no, it's probably fine.
Fuel cannot 'harden' but it does sound like your whole fuel system needs to be cleaned and that might mean dropping the gas tank to clean it out. Flush the fuel lines and replace all the rubber lines.
At your in park idle with the engine warm, what is the RPM on the tach? If it's too low it'll bog and die so maybe you need to simply raise the idle a little bit using the idle adjustment screw.
First, if you hear loud knocking, you need to isolate it and figure out what is knocking. If it's a worn rod bearing and the rod end is knocking around the crank journal then you're looking at a complete overhaul.
Drain the oil through a coffee filter and look for metal shavings. I just use a coffee filter in a large funnel.
If the knock is something simple like a fuel pump or water pump then you can narrow that down using a long wooden dowel as a listening device. Use it to 'hear' the various parts of the engine. Put it to your ear and different parts of the engine with it running to see where the noise is loudest.
With the fan belt removed can you wiggle the fan shaft up and down and sideways? If yes, it's bad. If no, it's probably fine.
Fuel cannot 'harden' but it does sound like your whole fuel system needs to be cleaned and that might mean dropping the gas tank to clean it out. Flush the fuel lines and replace all the rubber lines.
At your in park idle with the engine warm, what is the RPM on the tach? If it's too low it'll bog and die so maybe you need to simply raise the idle a little bit using the idle adjustment screw.
I do need to drain oil soon and I do hear a squeal from the engine on occasion I believe it to be the water pump but not sure. The coolant fan can be moved quite a lot not sure if there's bearings in there or what holds it in but how would you fix this? It actually rubs on the closest piece of metal don't know if its the water pump housing but I believe so.
Finally... The idle was fine until this problem started yesterday. Everything works fine while in idle, no knocking no slightly lower rpms at idle but when in gear engine seems to get drastically lower rpms.. almost as if theres too much crud in the fuel filter for it to get enough gas.. Could that plus 18 year old sparks and distributor be the problem?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Yes it is time for a tuneup so plan for things like plugs, wires, ect...
If you can move the water pump shaft via the fan then it needs to be replaced. There is a bearing that can dry up and go bad. The squealing might also be a loose belt or a worn belt riding too low in a pulley groove.
I need to know what RPM ranges you are referring to. List them please, in these condition.
Cold Idle RPM (Park):
Warm Idle RPM (Park):
Warm RPM (Drive):
If you can move the water pump shaft via the fan then it needs to be replaced. There is a bearing that can dry up and go bad. The squealing might also be a loose belt or a worn belt riding too low in a pulley groove.
I need to know what RPM ranges you are referring to. List them please, in these condition.
Cold Idle RPM (Park):
Warm Idle RPM (Park):
Warm RPM (Drive):
Last edited by Durango_Boy; Oct 27, 2008 at 05:56 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
The knocking happens occasionally and it just started yesterday, would what you said be something that happens in a couple of hours of bad weather?
I do need to drain oil soon and I do hear a squeal from the engine on occasion I believe it to be the water pump but not sure. The coolant fan can be moved quite a lot not sure if there's bearings in there or what holds it in but how would you fix this? It actually rubs on the closest piece of metal don't know if its the water pump housing but I believe so.
Finally... The idle was fine until this problem started yesterday. Everything works fine while in idle, no knocking no slightly lower rpms at idle but when in gear engine seems to get drastically lower rpms.. almost as if theres too much crud in the fuel filter for it to get enough gas.. Could that plus 18 year old sparks and distributor be the problem?
I do need to drain oil soon and I do hear a squeal from the engine on occasion I believe it to be the water pump but not sure. The coolant fan can be moved quite a lot not sure if there's bearings in there or what holds it in but how would you fix this? It actually rubs on the closest piece of metal don't know if its the water pump housing but I believe so.
Finally... The idle was fine until this problem started yesterday. Everything works fine while in idle, no knocking no slightly lower rpms at idle but when in gear engine seems to get drastically lower rpms.. almost as if theres too much crud in the fuel filter for it to get enough gas.. Could that plus 18 year old sparks and distributor be the problem?
This will make the engine fell and sound like there is a drag or load on it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 403
Likes: 7
From: Space Coast Florida
Please don't crucify me on this one because I was too mad to actually pay attention in great depth but I believe that my rpm's are at around 3k for cold 2k for warm and it maxes at 3k during drive. I went up a slight hill and couldn't get anything higher then 3k. But I'll really have to check again tomorrow..
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 403
Likes: 7
From: Space Coast Florida
Surprise my estimates sucked.. Ok i was motivated to go look, Starting was around 800.. I cleaned some of the carbon build up in the distributor and tried again with good gas intake and it went to 1k. I also tried it in gear and it seemed to be a live at least. Maybe some more cleaning but didn't seem to get as bad rpms in gear as last time. Around 700 in gear (still cold) with the 6ft I had to try it.
Ok I found the distributor wire that wasn't making a good connection.. Moved it slightly and all was well with the timing issue. Thanks for the other tips though guys. Im sure I'll be asking how to fix the water pump and coolant fan soon enough thanks again!
Ok I found the distributor wire that wasn't making a good connection.. Moved it slightly and all was well with the timing issue. Thanks for the other tips though guys. Im sure I'll be asking how to fix the water pump and coolant fan soon enough thanks again!
Last edited by 21boy; Oct 28, 2008 at 11:01 PM.
