Found my rough running problem(s) !!!

As I have posted before...I've been trying to find the source of my rough running for the past few days. I was just about to go buy a vac gauge but decided to take one more listen.

I heard a hissing sound around my EGR. I took the EGR off and discovered that I had missed the bottom hole in the gasket and it was blowing by the EGR. I got that fixed and it ran better but not great.

I ran the codes again and got a Code 21 (ECT out of range). I figured I might have knocked the harness loose while doing the EGR.

Oh, here's a loose connector...WAIT...that's a Damn Injector Connector that's not connected !!!! :O Sure enough, my #3 injector somehow got unplugged !!! Damn, I would have thought it would run A LOT rougher than it was on 3 cylinders !!! Well SOB, I plugged it in and it is a screaming red raped ape!!! The ECT code went away too (go figure ?).

Boys, it is pulling REALLY strong at 15lbs boost. Hitting 2nd gear the tires broke loose like never before...almost got the rear end LOOSE...and a never before event happened...3rd gear chirped the tires...I could not believe it !!!!

I have not been so excited since the day I bought it... YIPPPIIIIEEEEE !!!!! [Image: biggrin.gif]

Mr. Dunham had better be ready for the grudge match !!!!

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88TC 5spd, Shortblock with Crower 5.5" Sportsman Rods and Short Wiseco Pistons bored .030" Over, Ported Head with Polished Combustion Chambers, Gutted & Polished Upper, Ported & Polished Lower, Polished T/B, Ported E6, SVO T3 Turbo, 3" DP w/No Cat, RR Cam, Adjustable Cam Sprocket, K&N in Fenderwell, Gillis Boost Valve, Centerforce I Clutch, Removed A/C, Polished Wheels, Polished Valve Cover, Polished Crank and W/P Pullies, and the DAMN Heater Core is new too !

bring a fuel pressure guage so I can see about getting over 14 psi and I'll take you on [Image: smile.gif]

Uh-oh!! Sounds like quite a bit of competition is heating up... I may be up to the task as well. Assuming I get my overboost problem under control, the rebuilt head on, the exhaust in place, the....

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Les
'88 TC
T3, Torquer cam, 3" single exhaust, 3.55 gears, 20+ PSI

Dam I wish I had the 5 speed! [Image: frown.gif] I look forward to breakin them loose under hard cornering! [Image: smile.gif]

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87 Turbocoupe auto(SLOW)
Walker Exhaust
New Headlights
Replacement parts Galore

Hey Dan, I plan to be ready to rock and roll.
Glad to hear the bugs are out.
Methos, I can bring a fuel pressure gauge if you want to check yours.

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88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, Main TC with K&N, 3"DP to 2.5"duals through Dynamax, Ric valve at 17+ and disconnected KS.
Elite Bodega 16" chrome wheels. Autometer pod w/ A/F and Vac/boost gauges. New engine shortly, ported head and
manifolds, polished and cc'd chambers, A-230 cam, Race Engineering Adj Cam Sprocket, Crowlers, ARP head studs, Walbro 190 pump and T-3 for starters. KB subs
and jack rails.

Dan,
I can imagine your are thrilled. I've had several such moments in my automotive life. The most recent was when my 94 Mustang GT had the 5.0 all redone. Aluminum heads, cam, exhaust, gears. When that thing first fired up.. (flow masters) I liked to WET myself. One day I would like to put a similar rumble under the hood of an AeroBird.

In any event.. I know you are digging it...
Just don't go too hard on it.. or you will find the next weak point in your car.. <G>



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Kevin
TCx2
88 White TC, 5spd, Loaded
88 Black TC, 5spd, Base
87 LtBlue TC, 5spd,Loaded

Originally posted by TCx2:

Just don't go too hard on it.. or you will find the next weak point in your car...

That's exactly right !

I will be good to it for the most part during the break-in period...but geeze, it's been 8 months since I drove it so it's hard to stop myself from getting on it a little...

thanks pete... that would be great... but I also had another theory on why my car backfires at 15psi... the knock sensor might retard the timing really far because I have a mechanical roller cam and it adds alot of engine noise... so where is that located and how will it effect the car's performance?

methos,

Here is a pic of some of the sensors including the knock sensor. The Knock Sensor basically "listens" for detonation and sends a signal to the EEC, the EEC then retards the timing (don't know how much retardation it triggers...).

If I recall the discussion about it (and guys correct me if I'm wrong) the signal is either yes (retard the timing) or no (do nothing) and isn't an incremental retardation of the timing based on incremental "sounds" of detonation.

However, the Knock Sensor can "hear" other noises that are not detonation and retard the timing by mistake. So use the highest octane fuel you can get (or afford anymore...) if you plan on disconnecting it.
http://www.geocities.com/wot_turbo/Sensors.html

something else tho... what exactly does the fuel pulse dampner do? stop fuel surges?