Exhaust manifold glowing/ engine missing / engine hesitates/ power loss

[Dirtybeerguy]

Hi guys, I got a 91 Sidekick JX 8V. I For the past month or so, I have had a SMALL power loss. As time has progressed I have also got a miss while driving ( cold it misses worse). I ve done several things, but have yet to fix it. I had timing set to spec, cleaned EGR valve, cant seem to fine any vacuum leaks, replaced my CAT, and tune-up of course( trying not to forget anything). Also, my exhaust manifold heatshield is glowing after the engine reaches normal driving temp. I'm scared to keep driving I do not want to burn a valve? Any Ideas? Also, not all the time,but I smell fuel odor? AGAIN I cant be 4 sure about this fuel odor, but I DO NOT smell fuel all the time. What and in detail should I check next---just the 1st main thing you guys would check, then I'll check it and come back w/ an answer --THANKS for all of your Help!!

[deeznutts77]

when u replaced the cat was it a clump? its runnin way rich if so

[ranger88den]

Any ECM codes? Have you replaced your O2 sensor?

[noisey jack]

If the cat fell apart it could have went into the muffler and pluge it

[fbsketcher]

If Prior Owner Removed Distributor And Rotated The Shaft One Notch Wrong Way, The Engine Will Run But Badly Causing Extra Heat To Build Up In Exhaust.

[jtgh]

FBsketcher,

see you have 5 posts, ( can you see them now, if not PM me i will help) PM=private mail
you just need to either.

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ok , hot rod manifold

as per above ,

the exhaust will glow cherry red for:

1: retarded ignition , a yahoo spun your dizzy.
2: ECU is in limphome mode.

this is a symptom, and not a problem , until man. cracks. as it surely will.

what your car is doing is burning the fuel OUTSIDE the engine, instead of inside.

so ,first check timing. cam first. then dizzy. (is crank bolt loose?)

then check for code 12 out of ecu, is CEL glowing running.?

if ECU is in limphome , this means it can not use the sensor data.
if you have more than one bad sensor , it can go to limphome easy.

last test your EGR valve.
click my sig link below and read EGR section.
cheers

PS: your TBI injector seals can be cracked leaking full time.


as you see , it can be many thing.s

[Dirtybeerguy]

Two days later I can see the replies you guys have suggested? Now jtgh, I have done everything you suggested to be able to see what you guys have replied, and cannot SEE anything NO MATTER what I click or where I go till like 2 days or so later, then I can see the replies you guys have suggested? Anyways, I got to read them today--THANKS GUYS be patient with me till I can read them and get back with ya, but do not give up on me-OK!! Now, lets get to this vehicle--Come to find out when I changed that CAT it was never clogged up, I just jumped at the 1st thing someone told me was my problem if my manifold glowed and NO power, they said to change the CAT, so I did --Did Not Fix IT because that was not the problem. Next, ok jtgh I took this thing to my local garage that had timing light, they said they put it in time at 8 degrees, but it was not far off?? Now, the ECU could be in limphome mode, but Im not 4 sure---going to PM you!!

[jtgh]

1: put back the cel lamp in it socket. #74 lamp. 91 kick.

2: place jumper in DLC connector ( 4 pin plug next to batterY)
3 ; key on , no start, read out all stored codes.
4: write them down. 51, 22 ,etc. code 12 is happy good code.

5: key off
6: pull dome fuse, wait 2 minutes , put it back , memory erased.
7 drive around block. repeat above starting at 2.
until you get your fists codes,
fix lower codes first but i bet you get 51.

car is in limphome. this mode is Rich an Retarded timing advance , loss of power, and wasted gas out exhuast valves make manifold glow red hot.
Other causes.
this is an 8v ,and is old.
so we must do 2 things first.
1: make sure injector or seals on it are not leaking.
2: that fuel pressure is not 65psi but actuall 1/2 that.
3: ECT disconnected or open inside.

we can discuss that later.

[jtgh]

red hot manifold and code 12.

ok , the ecu is not genious level in 91.

but watch the CEL lamp ,now that its working, you cleared the codes before you read them. ouch. (i think?)
it will come back after driving 50mph min.
what ever it was.
most likely code 51?

code 51, fix EGR
no what if motor glows manifold and holds code 12, CEL out full time.

8valves.
top fails for this.
1: injector seals leaking.
2: exhaust manifold or gaskets leaking , causing O2 oxy sensor to go wacko.
3: ECT unplugged or reading 10,000 ohms, or more, full time.
4: thermostat stuck open or missing.

we can work thru them..

[jtgh]

post back here so others can see your post, my email is not veiwable by others.

someone might see i missed something or have a better DYI example.
or ?
post back please.