Firebird_305

Hi guys. As the title says I am having problems with the throttle. My description of the problem:

Will start up, sometimes needs a bit of fuel to fire over. Once running it will idle between 300 and 800 rpms and if you play with the throttle it will slowly climb. Every now and then you hear a loud KNOCK. The distributor cap is lose. I turn it slightly and it performs better. I am thinking that it needs to be tightened all the way and then re-route the plug wires because perhaps the firing order is off. That or I need to adjust the timing, which I don't have the equipment for.

I wanted to get responses from others before I dove right into this again. I know it's not the TPS, MAP Sesnor, MAF Sensor, Computer, ECM, IAC, etc... all of those were replaced. Including fuel injectors and a new system (pump, filter, lines, etc..). If it is in fact the timing, how can I go about adjusting it because it may have jumped timing a few teeth.

I appreciate any tips or advice!

Thanks

Project 3.4 Camaro

It could be the timing a vacuum issue, What exactly does the knock sound like, a backfire, or an internal component issue? Most likely it is a misfire, for the knock and idle speed issues, though Idk why its RPMs climb when you mess with the throttle, unless you mean while holding it, but if you rev it, and let go and they keep climbing thats odd.

Things I would check are timing, spark plug wires(make sure they aren't loose, and are pushed down all the way, left one a little loose on my corsica once and it was misfiring on occasion), spark plugs, IC & ICM, and vac lines.

Firebird_305

I figure the easiest for me will be to replace the plugs and coils and get the firing order fixed. I should have been more specific with the throttle. When you play with it and try to keep your foot on the pedal, it slowly climbs, when you back off it dies. Thanks for the help!

Firebird_305

Well the firing order was all out of whack. Spent all of today fussing with it! The screws holding the distributor were stripped... I have no idea how, but the previous owner must have been having a hard time adjusting everything... Regardless got it off and worked off cylinder 2 and what do you know, it fired up right away! Now... it starts to cut out when you try to use any throttle. If you play with the throttle enough it will catch up to itself and idle at whatever you have the peddle at. Then you let off and it drops to idle and soon as you hit the gas it dies.

Anyone know of an easy way to advance the timing? I'd hate to have to take everything apart and find 10* BTDC when there could be another way. Would an OBD I scanner do the trick? I tried doing a few searches for advancing the timing and had no luck. I know it's timing because I have replaced all the other sensors and injectors prior to adjusting the firing order. Just want to get this beast on the road so I can bring it to my apartment for daily work and a paint job!!

Thanks!

Firebird_305

Oh I should also put this. It just occurred to me that when I was adjusting the distributor to get the firing order down, the rotor was off. By off I mean that when I had it set for TDC on cylinder 2, the rotor was pointing towards cylinder 1. So should I start pulling the engine apart and get a new timing kit? Looking for the easiest method behind this because I'm now severely low on time with working on it. Classes are getting more difficult and my part time mechanic job is becoming full time again.

Firebird_305

I just realized I have to do this with Cylinder 1... Once I have cylinder 1 at TDC, the rotor should be pointing towards Cylinder 1 correct? So this way if it isn't, I can simply pull the rotor and align it so it is pointing in that direction? This seems like it would be to good to be true.

Project 3.4 Camaro

Cylinder 1 TDC, align rotor to after cylinder 6, but a little before cylinder 1 in the firing order, then tweak it till it runs right.

Firebird_305

So you think a few teeth before Cyl 1? Then if that doesn't work keep adjusting it one tooth at a time when Cyl 1 is at TDC going in a counter clockwise direction correct? Because if timing should be set at 10* BTDC that should be a little more favorable with the rotor pointing a little more towards Cyl 2 than 1, my assumption at it. After this should I reset the ECM by disconnecting the battery?

Project 3.4 Camaro

You're overthinking and overcomplicating this, just rotate cylinder 1 to TDC, set the rotor between cyl six and 1 going by terminal positions on the cap, try to start it, probably won't get much of anything, try rotating it a little one direction, try again, still nothing, try the other way. After that start moving the plugs, go forward 1, then back 1, still nothing, then its time to go 360...really isn't much to it, just got to go around in a circle till it starts firing, and then fine tune, if you hear air pop type noises this means you're way off.

Firebird_305

Ok I figured I was going too into it. I know it's a simple procedure, but just want to get this thing running and thinking about it too much! haha! Thanks for the help 3.4!