car runs like poo....help me!

[ECU5.0]

alright, it was running fine for a long time....and than it started to run like crap one day. i changed plugs, wires, cap, rotor, ignition module. it ran fine for like a week. now its running bad again....it feels like the timing is jumping...but everytime i check the timing its the same. im wondering if it could be that my coil is bad and i need a new one. im hoping its not like my timing chain or something, but thats very likely with how many miles are on it. thanks fellas

 

[RacEoHolic330]

could be a clogged fuel filter

 

[RacEoHolic330]

dp

 

[HISSIN50]

have you pulled codes? how is it 'running bad'?

 

[jerry beach]

I have seen coils go bad right after a tune up. Take it to the parts store if you suspect it, then ask them to test it next to a new one in front of you. I take my meter and test the 2 in the store, I give the new one back to them if my old one tests better. Why would I want to downgrade? And yes, I second the code pulling.

 

[ECU5.0]

i pulled codes and it was like 41, 114, 33. that was a while ago though. it idles fine, it just pops a little bit when driving and when i get on it its like its detonating but im only running 12 degrees timing. it only does it sometimes too....its really wierd.

 

[ECU5.0]

fuel filter is fine...changed it less than 10k miles ago

 

[ECU5.0]

just got back from driving around and its doing it again. it was running fine earlier today and now it feels like the timing is retarded. its really sluggish and doesnt feel like it has any power at all...and if i let the rpms get up to like 3 or 4 grand it will sputter and pop after i let off. someone please help

 

[Michael Yount]

Pull the codes again - otherwise we're all just guessing with you...

 

[Ourobos]

Is your block still grounded to the firewall?

 

[ECU5.0]

grounds are fine....guess ill pull some codes once it stops raining

 

[Js5ohLX]

I'd check your fuel pressure, sounds like the pumps going out.

 

[HISSIN50]

ECU, my first reaction was the TFI goin out. it gets hot and starts missing at higher RPM's.
however, your codes: lean condition for 41, IIRC. you also have an egr code, which could hinder performance and drivability. have you checked those (FP and EGR function)? BTW, i dont think we have 3 digit codes, do we? i thought that came with later EEC's. if im wrong, i think 114 is IAT out of range - another one that could mess up your mixture (if it is out of calibration - could be the lean code).

as Michael said, pull codes again and do a couple checks and post what you get.

 

[ECU5.0]

alright, just pulled codes again....did the koeo test and koer test. koeo codes were all egr codes. koer codes were 12, 21, 94, 44, 33. all egr and thermactor codes. i dont think that those would cause the problems im having. its almost like the timing is jumping. i dont have a light, but im gonna check it tomorrow with my buddys. ran the cylinder balance test and it didnt throw any codes. does anyone think it could be the timing chain. the car has 197k miles on it...and i doubt its been changed, or not in a long time atleast. i changed the tfi module last week, so thats good

 

[HISSIN50]

you can: pop the dizzy cap off. put a breaker on the crank and turn the motor - watch for how long you have to turn before the rotor moves. there will be a little slop and chance of error, as the gears are meshing and the dizzy may have slop, etc. but it gives an idea.

and EGR stuff being off will really mess up how smooth the car runs. good luck.

 

[ECU5.0]

alright, thanks hissin. gonna have to check that out this week when i get a day off. dont know why the egr isnt working though...its all hooked up....and the egr looks fairly new, guess i could always buy a new one and find out

 

[HISSIN50]

sometimes the pintle gets crudded up.
also check the wiring to the solenoid (EVR). it might not be opening the valve, or the valve is staying open, etc.

we are just kind of trying to make educated (well, not in my case) guesses with you, based on what the codes are saying.
good luck.

 

[ECU5.0]

yeah, ill mess with all of that stuff sometime this week. hopefully i can get it fixed. anyone think it could be my coil? or fuel pump like js5ohlx said?

 

[Michael Yount]

With coils and fuel pumps, usually (not always) they either work or they don't. It's not often that they partially fail and allow the car to run, but poorly.

 

[ECU5.0]

alright, thanks michael yount. guess ill have to check the timing chain and some other stuff