well i capped off one hole with a bolt/washer and the other with a thick plate and gasket. turned the key once to hear the pump prime and then tried to start the car and it started right up and idled a bit less than 900 rpm i think.
wow do i feel stupid. i got various little things to fix after poking around but my next problem is the cat/02 sensor. i'm going to start fresh with my new cat and 02 sensor at this point. i assumed the wiring was ok but noticed some previous owner electrical tape and there are numerous wires tied together into a bundle thats hooking up to a ground on the passenger firewall. this includes a single wire that is zip tied to the outside of the loom coming from the drivers side. halfway it turns from black to brown with vw plastic connectors. seems a little goofy at face value to have a single wire shoot all the way over there for ground right where all those wires meet. i have to look closer but i think something is screwed up if im reading right the 2nd 02 sensor connector is a heater wire NOT ground? the other harness with 2 white wires goes into the loom. i have a feeling car isn't even getting a signal from 02 sensor so i need to get that straight before installing new one. i had the distributor at the old setups marks, i will have to time it tomorrow i couldn't actually see the marks well when trying the timing light in the dark tonight. car runs and is revving out with the stock chip/cams, etc. but i noticed right away when i stab the throttle and it comes off the idle switch there was a slight gurgle and then it revs out but is reacting to pedal. i'm hoping it needs to be timed and that will help. On Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 7:56:36 PM UTC-7, damac2004 wrote: > > oh boy i am feeling stupid and think i have found the smoking gun here. > > is it possible that having 2 open holes on the back of the intake manifold > made the car act this way? > > this is not a california chasis so no egr stuff. when i pulled the euro > manifold one hole had a bolt stuck through it with rtv and another hole was > held by bolts and gasket. > > when i was transferring everything over to the stock manifold i remember > poking down the hole with brake cleaner hose and hit what i thought was > solid wall on each. at the time never seeing egr stuff assumed it maybe > would be drilled out for a car that needed that hardware. > > i had filled the holes up with brake cleaner with that side up and don't > think i paid close enough attention so this whole time it was installed on > the car like that. > > tonight as i went to transfer the old parts back on as my last hope effort > i noticed some leakage when spraying brake cleaner and a light bulb went > off. so with those holes up if i spray one hole it fills the other hole > up. if you leave the manifold sit the level of fluid just sits there. > when i went to tilt sideways one way nothing happened but leaking out the > top. when i tilted the other way 2 of the runners leaked the fluid out. > > i don't know these cars at all. since the car wasn't running right i > never wanted to let it run long since it wasn't acting like a real car. my > mom was watching and said i see some smoke and it sounds funny but of > course i told her its just stuff burning off and that it wasn't running > right. couldn't really take a chance to look or feel closer. > > i have seen people mention these cars can run crappy with vac leaks and > they don't run without the intake tubes attached? i'm hoping this is what > it was. going to make some block off plates and gasket to seal those 2 > holes up tight and then install all the old parts on it and hope like magic > its back to normal and then i can smog it. > > On Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 10:41:38 AM UTC-8, hollandphillips wrote: >> >> I just thought of something. Any chance the fuel in the tank could be >> contaminated? Since I think you said you're in California, the fuel here is >> probably the worst in the U.S.. With the ethanol and other crazy additives >> that's in it, it has an extremely short shelf life. >> An other thing, I wonder how the fuel pumps are? If either the main or >> transfer pump aren't healthy, that can cause weird running problems. The >> easiest way to check the pumps is to disconnect the input line at the fuel >> distributor and have someone turn on the ignition for a second. You should >> get a really healthy stream of fuel. As I recall, the main pump operates at >> around 50psi, give or take. >> We're reaching for straws at this point, so the more you check that looks >> correct, that's fewer possibilities to deal with. >> >> ~Holland >> On Mar 1, 2016 10:15, "Larry Velez" <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> I just checked and Marren is still in business and still rebuilding >>> injectors of all ages: >>> >>> >>> >>> https://www.injector.com/ >>> >>> >>> >>> https://www.facebook.com/MarrenFuelInjection/ >>> >>> >>> >>> -Larry >>> >>> >>> >>> *From:* [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] *On >>> Behalf Of *Holland Phillips >>> *Sent:* Tuesday, March 1, 2016 12:56 PM >>> *To:* [email protected] >>> *Subject:* Re: [mk2-16v] how do i find out what engine i have? >>> >>> >>> >>> I agree with you Chad. At this point, I would perform a compression >>> test. If that looks good, then I'm at a loss as to where to go next. Maybe >>> look at the injectors. It's probably easier and cheaper to try and find >>> some used, hopefully known good injectors, even if it's only one. Then you >>> could swap them one at a time and see if you find a bad one. There are a >>> couple of companies that do balancing and blueprinting of Motronic >>> injectors. I had mine done by Marren Motorsports back in the mid '90's, so >>> I don't know if they're still in business. They could perform just testing >>> to check for flow and pattern. >>> Beyond that, I just don't know. >>> >>> ~Holland >>> >>> On Feb 29, 2016 18:21, "Chad Rebuck" <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> The key in the cam gear is only there for the alignment until the bolt >>> is tightened. It doesn't really hold the cam gear in place once the bolt is >>> tightened. Same for the crank pulley too. The key can break if the bolt >>> gets loose enough for it to turn. >>> >>> I'm just curious how the engine sounds as you said it ran smoother for a >>> short while when you opened up the throttle. >>> >>> I'm about out of ideas. If you take it to a shop the first thing >>> they're going to do is check the timing again and check the compression I >>> bet. >>> >>> On Feb 29, 2016 9:05 PM, "damac2004" <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> im afraid to run this car for long but what would be better, a video >>> from the engine bay or tailpipe? >>> >>> >>> >>> i didn't change the plug order, etc. when doing all this work, just >>> popped the distributor off and layed it in engine bay with battery out. >>> >>> >>> >>> the cam i took off the car did have the cam gear tooth broken but it >>> didn't move based on how the keyway lined up, is that surprising? i bought >>> another cam pulley off a vortex member and he sold it to me the exact same >>> way and told me every one he has taken off came the same way? i thought >>> that was nuts but have seen through forums searching it has happened to >>> others. i got a new cam pulley while doing all this work and its still >>> fine. and i have to assume the crank is fine as well since it was good >>> running and all the marks are lining up correctly still. >>> >>> On Monday, February 29, 2016 at 5:56:38 PM UTC-8, chadrebuck wrote: >>> >>> Also check that the cam sprocket is located in the right place on the >>> cam. If the tooth broke off of the cam gear then it could rotate causing >>> the timing to be incorrect. Did you mention that the cam sprocket had a >>> broken locating tooth? >>> >>> On Feb 29, 2016 7:47 PM, "Chad Rebuck" <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> Changing the cams out will be a waste of time. What did you do to verify >>> the spark plug wire order? Can you take a video of how the car is running? >>> >>> On Feb 29, 2016 7:39 PM, "damac2004" <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> i put the techtronics chip back in and put the older throttle body back >>> in with no changes in how the car is acting. i also checked grounds and >>> ran some extras to the bundle on head, etc. just in case. >>> >>> >>> >>> my issues make for a useless car, no way it could be driven. so my >>> problems seem way beyond the little tuning people do to get their cars >>> running right. this car ran and drove when i got it with very old and worn >>> injector seals and numerous vacuum lines with holes in it. it ran its best >>> when hot and on the throttle never gave out on me or died. although it had >>> goofy issues with starting consistently and idling a little >>> high/rough/inconsistent at times. >>> >>> >>> >>> and i see people mention 02 sensors and cts making for a rough running >>> car possibly but again this is way worse than that. >>> >>> >>> >>> i'm stuck so tomorrow i am going to put the old cams, etc. back on and >>> cross my fingers. >>> >>> On Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 8:41:59 PM UTC-8, hollandphillips >>> wrote: >>> >>> Since the Mk 2 cars were all pre OBD, they had only one O2 sensor which >>> was mounted before the cat. So the ECU never knew if the cat even existed >>> or was functioning properly. Now that I think about it, if the O2 sensor >>> has no output, or was not connected, the ECU will go into "safe mode", >>> which is full rich. Hence your poor fuel mileage. I also recalled that the >>> O2 sensor on the Motronic cars is a three wire type, which means it has a >>> heater, so its output will become valid more quickly in order to reduce >>> emissions. All this is bringing back memories of all the 16V trivia I >>> acquired over the years. 😐 >>> >>> ~Holland >>> >>> On Feb 27, 2016 20:00, "damac2004" <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> i could test compression but it it did drive fine before i tore it all >>> apart, after this incident. >>> >>> this car had no cat so 02 sensor was laying underneath airbox this whole >>> time :). >>> >>> i thought the car stunk and i got bad mileage but this car was fun to >>> drive. i was beating on itand it pulled when i stomped on it all the time >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "MK2-16v" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to [email protected]. >>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/mk2-16v. >>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mk2-16v/c9b6bb5d-ae7b-4c28-8f59-aa4b98cee00c%40googlegroups.com >>> . >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "MK2-16v" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to [email protected]. >>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/mk2-16v. >>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mk2-16v/9d2a77d7-7104-4d51-81cf-8cf518a97e98%40googlegroups.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mk2-16v/9d2a77d7-7104-4d51-81cf-8cf518a97e98%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "MK2-16v" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to [email protected]. >>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/mk2-16v. >>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mk2-16v/a805108a-edc4-4617-b1df-5745489a179a%40googlegroups.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mk2-16v/a805108a-edc4-4617-b1df-5745489a179a%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "MK2-16v" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to [email protected]. >>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/mk2-16v. >>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mk2-16v/CA%2BV5SC8K46X0s%3DkHVrKxpPuq-Cgt_P7oMmYy8LFnMtafEapK3A%40mail.gmail.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mk2-16v/CA%2BV5SC8K46X0s%3DkHVrKxpPuq-Cgt_P7oMmYy8LFnMtafEapK3A%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "MK2-16v" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to [email protected]. >>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/mk2-16v. >>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mk2-16v/CABrbKB%3DJqvhFPxgfFehq6EQ-ShKvZoYv8PsZdeAqVZANv5VT%3Dw%40mail.gmail.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mk2-16v/CABrbKB%3DJqvhFPxgfFehq6EQ-ShKvZoYv8PsZdeAqVZANv5VT%3Dw%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "MK2-16v" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to [email protected]. >>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/mk2-16v. >>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mk2-16v/bc005c38c3dd4fa0a247089780239958%40MBX082-E1-VA-2.EXCH082.SERVERPOD.NET >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mk2-16v/bc005c38c3dd4fa0a247089780239958%40MBX082-E1-VA-2.EXCH082.SERVERPOD.NET?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>> >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MK2-16v" group. 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