Big problem... Please Help!!!

cudadave72 · 03-01-2009, 09:10 PM

Hi. I'm new to the fourms and am having big issues with my 2001 Sportage. About a week ago my timing belt broke. Prior to that the vehicle was running perfectly. Being a mechanic I decided to have the cylinder head gone through even though I know these engines are non interference. Everything check out good on the head so I put her back together and now the engine is not running well at all. I have several codes which are misfire on cylinder 1, cylinder 3 and random misfire. I have gone over the alignment of the belt several times and actually had another talented mechanic check it with me. I have also checked the injectors and spark. Cylinder one spark plug is wet like its getting no fire but I have strong spark on that cylinder. I checked the injector to see if its hung open but it is fine. I am at my wits end. I have checked everything and have even moved the belt one tooth on both cams but it still runs the same and pulls the same codes. Again I can almost say for certain that the belt is lined up correctly. Any thoughts. Any input is greatly apprieciated!!

Thanks
Dave

PS. I'll add that the engine seems to smooth up at higher RPMs.

PLP · 03-01-2009, 09:23 PM

as of now I can think only about one possibility. The belt. Are you 100% that 1st cyl was in top dead end (or whatever it is called). It looks like you are not getting spark on right time.
Other than that - crank sensor or any other one. There could be smth what "says" when to give the spark. Did you use strobo lamp (I do not know English word for it) to see if you have right timing?

And a very stupid thing, but happens - spark cables. Are they in the right spots? On cylinders is hard to mess them up but on the coil...

Pacosworld · 03-01-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLP

as of now I can think only about one possibility. The belt. Are you 100% that 1st cyl was in top dead end (or whatever it is called). It looks like you are not getting spark on right time.
Other than that - crank sensor or any other one. There could be smth what "says" when to give the spark. Did you use strobo lamp (I do not know English word for it) to see if you have right timing?

And a very stupid thing, but happens - spark cables. Are they in the right spots? On cylinders is hard to mess them up but on the coil...

Your thinking of a timing light, but good point, check your timing to see if its right, but sounds like timing is off.

PLP · 03-01-2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacosworld

.

WOW, you drive Corrado? This is one of my favorite cars.... Manual?

PLP · 03-01-2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cudadave72

PS. I'll add that the engine seems to smooth up at higher RPMs.

Dave,
since you have added that it works fine at high rev I have to say it wont be timing than.
Tell smth more - what rpm range you have problems with? What about idle? Does it have power?
At high rpm - is it smooth? No misfire, no anything?

I would go with mas sensor, air/gas mixture might be too rich at low rpm.
Nevetheless, timing check with light is a good idea anyway.

Pacosworld · 03-01-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLP

WOW, you drive Corrado? This is one of my favorite cars.... Manual?

Of course. Automatics are alright, but I like having some control over the tran. with a manual.

cudadave72 · 03-02-2009, 09:52 AM

Thanks for the replies! The car runs very rough at idle and starts to smooth up around 3000 rpms. I know it sounds like the timings is off but I have lined the timing marks up perfectly and have checked TDC with the valve cover off to make sure the valves were closed. I'm going to check the cam position and crank sensor today. If anyone has other ideas I'd love to hear them!!

cudadave72 · 03-02-2009, 03:48 PM

After hours and hours of worry, changing the timing several times, pulling the intake 2 times and double checking everything if finally found the problem. My dumb a$$ had the coil packs reversed!!!! I'm not all at fault here as I had another shop start this project before I decided to do it myself and that part had already been torn apart so I was putting it back together blind. Either way after a week of worry its finally running!!!

PLP · 03-02-2009, 03:51 PM

great, finally working - just another "stupid" thing...

looleongchai · 03-09-2009, 07:51 AM

i just joint this forum, cause i am having the same problem ( miss fire) and rendom powert at the low rpm, i had just change the "totol body(Chessis) sensor" and the (miss fire) seem to be corrected, but i am still facing the rendom power on and off. i hope any of you can give me an answer, thank you.

loo