91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

hey guys I am in need of help.
my car wont even attempt to fire and it backfires threw the throttle body. plus the car run fine the other day, it had a looping idle but it fired.

mauijerky

I think backfiring is a sign of timing problems. Bad timing chain perhaps? Is this a daily driver that recently started doing this? Has it been sitting for a bit? Did you do any changes or mods recently. Crossed plug wires can also cause this. Anyways, give us more info and back story to better help you.

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

I figured it was a timing problem but wasn't fully sure that the computer didn't have a role in it.

the back story: I bought the car back in June. ever since the car has been going south despite my efforts. but anyway no the car is not my daily driver I bought it to restore. but it was a daily driver before me. it startied a looping idle like three months ago and never figured it out. then this passed weekend in was fine one day (stilling hunting for an idle) and wouldn't run the next day and had to get dragged out of the garage.

Schurkey

Fouled plugs.

After you un-foul the plugs, you need to figure out why they fouled in the first place.

Ronny

iTrader: (1)

How old is rotor and cap?

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

the cap and rotor plugs and wires were done in November when I did the valve seals.

I tried to un-foul the plugs they just get flooded with in two stall outs.

Chad85T/A

iTrader: (1)

Have you checked the CTS and MAP sensor?

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

I have checked the map but not the cts. Although either of those would still allow the car to start it would just run like crap

mccl6927

check/clean the EGR valve.

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

That might take care of the idle hunting. I dont know , would that effect the back fire though the throttle body?

Chad85T/A

iTrader: (1)

I've seen bad ICM's make them pop back too.

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

Yea I dont know thats what my concern is.

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

so I checked the timing. with the 1st cylinder at TDC the rotor points to number 3 on the cap. so I'm guessing the timing chain jumped. does any one know if these cars still use a fiber toothed gear on the cam?

Chad85T/A

iTrader: (1)

Fiber gear or not, the timing is off. You might as well bite the bullet and put a new chain in.

mauijerky

I think the 91's came with all steel gears. At least, the replacement timing kit is all steal. I haven't cracked open mine yet to confirm. Although, after searching TGO archives, most said the 87 and newer "roller" motors had all metal timing sets. Please someone correct me if I am wrong.

Did you rock the crank back and forth and check for slack? If the chain is original then might as well replace it and not worry about it. I'm going to change out mine soon.

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

I didn't check for slack but if my timing is off then its mostly likely there. the only reason I asked about the fiber gears is that would be the reason that the timing became of, because my 305 has relatively low miles (126,xxx). but anyways yes I have ordered a timing gear and chain set. haven't cracked open the case to look yet though.

ex-x-fire

Check compression first.
Maybe your dist. hold down clamp was loose, I'd reset the timing, unhook the timing connector when you do.

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

does your aldl work? thowing any codes if its not working its not grounded right and likely your computer isnt either. i chased mine down for months, turns out my computer and nothing was properly grounded and was shorting all my sensors.

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

Thanks ill have to check when all this snow melt. Theres like 2ft up here and another storm on the way. So as soon as I can get the hood and doors open ill check.

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

thats what happened to me, i thought it was timing for the longest time, and it could be. but mechanically everything on mine checked out right, timing was right with the esc wire disconnected. mine idled fine sometimes but would stall out and under load it didnt want to move except at high rpms. eventually it friend my computer, and every sensor as well as part of my wiring harness.

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

Yea my timing was off though I tried changing my switching my plug wires around to see if it would fire but run crappy. But no luck.

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

did you disconnect the esc wire? otherise one shop that ill never go to again set my timing 180 off or something before because that wire wasnt disconnected so it idled but it barely moved in any gear.

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

no I wasn't aware I had to. where is that located?

ex-x-fire

Its a tan wire with a black stripe.

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

chances ar if you havent disconnected that wire then your timing isnt right.

1991sleeper

iTrader: (-3)

My wire is right under where that gauge is .. disconnect the wire crank the car set our timing where u want it .. then tighten dizzy check timing again cut the car off and reconnect the wire .. done

Sent from my XT907 using IB AutoGroup

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

ok ill have to check when most of the snow disappears. and yes the last I new of my Aldl did work and its throwing a code but I think its because I don't a have cat at the moment.

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

i dont have a cat and my truck doesnt throw a code. id check it and see what it pulls

Formula 305

Unless they changed it from 90-91 lack of cat should not throw codes. I don't think there were after cat O2 sensors until OBD-2. Should be able to pull the cat & the computer be none the wiser.

What's the code?

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

i was gonna say mines a 93 and i barely pull any codes even with a cam, heads, intake exhaust and multiple other mods. only one i pulled was egr but i tuned that out after retune

skyhigh4by

iTrader: (1)

Not saying this is your issue just a FYI I have had a bad CTS not let my vehicle start. It was a 4cyl ford but sensor still serves the same purpose...

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

Does anyone know if the cts would do that on our cars? Would be a nice easy fix. I know Chad 85t/a said about that being it before.

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

it didnt on mine, i removed mine for awhile on my old one before i could replace it. i know fords have alot of cts issues. the sensor shouldnt be all that expensive does it run richer or leaner than usual?

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

Its been running rich for a while. Which maybe a new one wouldnt hurt.

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

id adjust timing while its running

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

yea but my whole problem is getting the car to run.

Ronny

iTrader: (1)

coolant temp sensor generally fails producinng a false very cold coolant temp. filthy rich.

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

so I just tired getting the codes off the car. nothing came up.

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

did you plug that wire back in?

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

the esc wire?

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

yea

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

Yes it was plugged in

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

so I got the timing checked today and it was perfect. although there is a lot of oil in my cylinder. so could it be the icm or a faulty computer?

Schurkey

Sure. It could be. Doesn't have to be, though. REAL diagnosis needs to be performed. A scan tool would be helpful, so you can see the live sensor data that the computer is using to calculate fuel and spark.

Barlow8869

iTrader: (1)

"although there is a lot of oil in my cylinder" ... did you ever run a compression test on it, i dont know much about injected cars yet, but i wouldnt think the computer would be the cause of oil in the cylinders, bad valve seal or bad rings most likely, could also be a bad piston

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

I just did the valve seals in November so it would be in the bottom end. but the oil shouldn't have anything to do with the backfire.

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

I replaced the icm and it made no change.

91 rally sport

iTrader: (2)

turns out that the rocker arm nuts on number one cylinder and junk. they tightened up and held the valves open. I backed them off and no more back fire. although now for some reason my head gaskets decided to fail. so still no starting.